Northwest Indiana is known for its gritty industry, but it also ranks as a destination for sun-and-swim fun.
“We have beautiful beaches here,” said Alice Pickford, owner of the parking area and concessions at Wells Street Beach in Gary.
The biggest assemblage lies in the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.
“Visitors are drawn to the beauty of the National Lakeshore’s 15 miles of sandy beaches and unspoiled sand dunes,” said Bruce Rowe, supervisory park ranger and public information officer for the National Lakeshore.
Swimming and sunbathing remain, of course, popular pursuits, but the list of public interests has grown over the decades.
“We’re seeing more and more visitors try out other activities like kayaking, paddle boarding and bird watching along the shore,” Rowe said.
Here is a roundup of beach destinations in the northwest corner of Indiana.
Burns Harbor
Lakeland Park Beach, 1200 Lakeland Park Dr.
Lifeguard-staffed beach. Sand volleyball is a popular activity. Information: www.burnsharborpark.org.
Cedar Lake
7408 Constitution Ave.
The town’s beach is open dawn to dusk. Picnic shelters and picnic tables available. Free admission. No parking fee. No alcohol. Free inflatables are available to use for floating fun on the water. The beach is not far from the Town Hall.
Information: 219-374-7000 or www.cedarlakein.org.
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Chesterton
Indiana Dunes State Park, 1600 N. 25E
The three miles of beach are only part of the 2,182 acres of pastoral landscape that comprises the park, which is surrounded by Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore property. The beach area is rimmed by large sand dunes that have taken thousands of years to form. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited. There is no charge to use the beach, but the park’s gate fee is $7 for vehicles with Indiana license plates; $12 for out-of-state plates.
Information: 219-926-1952 or www.indianadunes.com.
East Chicago
Jeorse Park Beach, 3301 Aldis Ave.
Currently closed due to construction and renovation that includes installation of a splash pad.
The beach is tentatively scheduled to reopen sometime in August.
Information: 219-391-8474.
Gary
Lake Etta County Park, 4801 W. 29th Ave.
Lifeguards are on duty 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Picnic tables and shelters are available. Parking is $5 for Indiana vehicles; $8 for out-of-state vehicles.
“Lake Etta’s a fairly decent size,” said Chris Landgrave, superintendent of business development for the Lake County Parks.
Information: www.lakecountyparks.com.
City of Gary beaches
“Gary beaches are clean, safe and fun,” said Lori Latham, superintendent of Gary’s Department of Public Parks.
Information: 219-886-7099 or www.gary.in.us.
Lake Street Beach, at Lake Street and Lake Michigan
Jet skis are allowed. Parking for vehicles with jet skis is $7 for Indiana vehicles, $10 for out-of-state vehicles. Regular parking is $3 for in-state vehicles; $5 for out-of-state vehicles. Lifeguards are on duty. Coolers are allowed.
Marquette Park Beach, 1 N. Grand Blvd.
Lifeguards are on duty 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the summer. Children younger than 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Jet skis are not allowed. Parking is $3 for Indiana vehicles; $5 for out-of-state vehicles. Open fires and grills are not allowed.
Information: 219-938-7362.
Wells Street Beach, 9001 Lake Shore Drive
The beach is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Labor Day. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted; jet skis also not permitted. A variety of concessions are available. Coolers are allowed; no dogs, glass, fires or alcoholic beverages on the beach. Parking is $8 on weekdays; $10 on weekends and holidays.
Information: 219-938-8275.
Hammond
Information: 219-659-7678 or www.hammondmarina.com.
Marina Beach, 701 Casino Center Drive
Open daily through Labor Day. Portable bathrooms and flushable bathrooms. Deli food and beverages available for purchase. Parking free for Hammond residents; $5 for Indiana residents outside of Hammond; $10 for out-of-state residents. Information: Hammond Port Authority.
Wolf Lake Memorial Park, Calumet Avenue and 121st Street
Windsurfing and kite surfing are popular on this body of water that is not known for rough waves. Canoes, kayaks, paddle boats and paddle boards can be rented for $5 an hour. Open daily dawn to dusk. The Aquatic Play Center serves up splash pad, changing rooms, concession stand, picnic space and playground.
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
The National Lakeshore drew 1.6 million visitors in 2014 — many of whom took advantage of the impressive string of beaches lining the southern tip of Lake Michigan.
The chance to glimpse a rare bird species ranks as a bonus feature.
All beach parking is free, with the exception of a user fee at West Beach from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. The West Beach fee is $6 per vehicle; $30 per bus. The National Park Service only provides lifeguards at West Beach.
Beach parking lots are open 7 a.m. to 30 minutes past sunset, daily.
Pets are not allowed on West Beach, Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk, and Porter Beach.
Information: 219-395-1882 or www.nps.gov/indu.
Here is a rundown of National Lakeshore beaches:
Central Avenue Beach, 151 Central Ave. (Central Avenue and Valley Avenue), Michigan City
Cowles Bog, 1618 N. Mineral Springs Road, Porter
Dunbar Beach, 300 W. Lakefront Drive, Beverly Shores
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Kemil Beach, 27 N. State Park Road, Chesterton
Lake View Picnic Area, Lake Front Drive and Broadway Street, Beverly Shores
Mount Baldy, U.S. Hwy. 12, Michigan City
Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk, 100 Riverwalk Drive, Portage
Porter Beach, 3050 Wabash Ave., Porter
West Beach, 376 N. County Line Road, Portage
As one of the most popular beaches in Northwest Indiana, visitors can also easily reach the Dune Succession Trail that elevates into a spectacular overlook of the lake. A bathhouse likewise gives West Beach a distinctive touch. West Beach is the only National Lakeshore beach that has a parking fee, as it assesses a summertime user fee of $6 per vehicle; $30 per bus.
LaPorte
Stone Lake Beach, Soldiers Memorial Park, 250 Pine Lake Ave.
Beach House includes concession stand and restrooms. The beach area also features a playground, outdoor showers, grills and picnic tables. Lifeguards on duty 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Aug. 9. The park opens at sunrise and closes at 10 p.m.
Information: www.cityoflaporte.com or 219-326-9600.
Ski Beach
Located on south shore of Pine Lake, this area offers space for picnics and for the beaching of pontoons. The beach also includes grills and picnic tables. Parking lot is off Waverly Road.
Information: www.cityoflaporte.com/421/Beaches
Michigan City
Washington Park Beach, 115 Lakeshore Dr.
Lifeguards are on duty through Labor Day.
Washington Park is open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Parking fees are charged daily through Sept. 7. Car and motorcycle parking is $7; trailer, bus or motor home is $14. Parking stickers are also available; they are free for Michigan City residents.
Information: www.michigancityparks.com or 219-873-1506.
Sheridan Beach, 202 Beachwalk Lane
Another, but more secluded, beach area in Michigan City that is open to the public.
Information: in.gov/idem/beaches/2368.htm
Long Beach, Lake Shore Drive
The beach is near a town known for distinct and diverse architecture. No lifeguards on duty. No dogs or glass containers are allowed on the beach.
Information: 219-874-6616. www.longbeachin.org.
Ogden Dunes, Lake Shore Drive
The beach is nearly a mile long. Dogs are not permitted from May 1 to Sept. 30. Coolers are allowed, but no glass.
Information: www.ogdendunes.net or 219-762-4125.
Whiting
Whihala Beach Park, 1561 Park Road
Located adjacent to Whiting Park, Whihala Beach Park covers about 23 acres, and boasts an impressive view of the Chicago skyline on clear days. Parking is free for both residents of Whiting and the Robertsdale section of Hammond who have a 46394 zip code. It is $7 for all other Indiana residents; $15 of out-of-state residents.
Lifeguards on duty. Flush toilets, food concessions and grilling area are available.
Information: 219-659-7700 or www.whitingindiana.com.
Bob Kostanczuk is a freelance writer.