Help Support Our National Parks!

Shutdown Guidance

Updated October 2, 2025

In light of the ongoing federal government shutdown, we’ve added updates throughout this blog to help you understand how the shutdown affects Indiana Dunes National Park. You’ll find notes under some section with tips and reminders for visiting responsibly while staff and services are limited.

During the shutdown, you can expect:

National park staffing will be minimal
Roads, trails, and beaches will remain accessible to the public
All national park education and volunteer programs are canceled during the shutdown
The Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor’s Center will remain open
Other national park buildings and restrooms are not guaranteed to be open
The Indiana Dunes State Park is unaffected and remains open

If you do visit the park at this time, remember that your actions matter more than ever. With limited staff and services, please take extra care to minimize your impact and recreate responsibly.

June 5, 2025

Summer is a great time to visit Indiana Dunes National Park, with warm weather, open trails, and endless ways to enjoy the outdoors. As more people head to the dunes, it’s important to remember that every visit leaves a mark. Whether you’re a longtime local or first-time visitor, your actions matter. With a little care, we can all help protect this incredible place for generations to come.

Be a Passholder With a Purpose

First and foremost, the National Park Service needs your support through visitation. When you visit Indiana Dunes National Park and pay the entrance fee, you’re directly contributing to the park’s operations, maintenance, and staffing. These funds are more important than ever as parks across the country face shrinking budgets and growing demands. Your visit helps keep trails open, restrooms clean, programs running, and rangers on duty. So go explore—and know that your visit is part of what keeps the park going strong.

Shutdown Guidance

Purchasing a park pass is always a meaningful way to support Indiana Dunes National Park. Passes are available through Save the Dunes and at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, which remains open during the shutdown.

Be a Patient Parkgoer

With the peak season upon us, it’s normal to encounter longer lines, crowded trailheads, and slower response times. Amid the hustle, remember that rangers and park staff are doing their best to serve both the land and its visitors. These dedicated public servants are the heart of the park—educating guests, protecting natural resources, responding to emergencies, and keeping everything running behind the scenes. A kind word or simple “thank you” can go a long way during the busiest times of the year. Patience and respect make the park a better place for everyone.

Shutdown Guidance

During the shutdown, only a very small number of staff are working at Indiana Dunes National Park. This means many of the usual services and protections—such as resource management and education programs—are unavailable. If you visit, please keep in mind that the few staff who remain are doing their best under difficult circumstances. Your patience, respect, and responsible recreation make an even bigger difference right now.

Be an Off-Hours Explorer

If your schedule allows, consider visiting the park during off-peak hours—early mornings, weekdays, or outside of major holidays. Reducing congestion not only makes for a more peaceful experience for you, but it also eases the strain on parking lots, trails, facilities, and staff. Spreading out visitation helps protect sensitive habitats and reduces wear and tear on popular areas. A little planning goes a long way in keeping the park accessible and enjoyable for all.

Be a Responsible Roamer

The dunes and surrounding ecosystems are incredibly fragile, and even a few footsteps off trail can cause long-term damage to native plants, wildlife habitat, and the stability of the landscape. Always staying on designated trails helps prevent erosion, protects rare species, and ensures future visitors can enjoy the same beauty you came to see. It might be tempting to create your own shortcut or wander off the path for a photo, but every choice matters. Tread lightly—and stay off the dunes and on the trail.

Shutdown Guidance

With fewer staff on duty during the shutdown, there is less oversight on visitor behavior. That makes it more important than ever to choose the right path—literally. The dunes and surrounding ecosystems are extremely fragile, and even a single set of footprints off trail can cause lasting damage. Please resist the temptation to wander for a shortcut or a photo. When it feels safe and respectful to do so, you can also help by reminding fellow visitors to stay on the trail. Every small action helps protect rare plants, fragile habitats, and the beauty of the dunes at a time when the park needs our collective care the most.

Be a Litter-less Legend

Whatever you bring into the park—snacks, water bottles, picnic supplies, gear—make sure it leaves with you. Trash, even when left with good intentions, can harm wildlife, pollute waterways, and spoil the experience for others. Waste bins fill quickly during peak season, and not all areas have trash or recycling facilities. By packing out everything you pack in, you help protect the park’s natural beauty and reduce the burden on park staff.

Shutdown Guidance

As we’ve seen during past shutdowns, trash and litter can become a big issue. Please take all of your trash with you instead of relying on park bins. If you’d like to do a little extra, consider bringing a bag and gloves to pick up litter on your favorite trail- but please don’t venture off the designated path, even for trash collection. Every small action helps reduce the burden on staff and keeps the dunes and trails safe, clean, and enjoyable for all visitors.

Be a Plastic-Free Patron

More than 22 million pounds of plastic pollution enter the Great Lakes each year, threatening wildlife, water quality, and the natural beauty we all enjoy. One simple way to make a difference is by reducing your use of single-use plastics when visiting the park. Bring a reusable water bottle, food containers, and shopping bags, and skip the plastic packaging whenever you can. Small changes add up—and they help keep our beaches and Lake Michigan clean, safe, and beautiful for everyone.

Be a Rep-Calling Rockstar

Once you’ve experienced the beauty and significance of the Indiana Dunes, you become part of its story. One powerful way to protect this place you care about is by letting decision-makers know it matters to you. A quick call or email to your congressional representatives can help ensure the park gets the funding it needs for restoration, maintenance, and staffing. Find your members of Congress at house.gov/representatives and senate.gov/senators, and let them know that the Dunes—and all public lands—deserve strong support now and for the future.

Shutdown Guidance

The government shutdown highlights just how important ongoing funding and staffing are for Indiana Dunes National Park. Letting decision-makers know that the park—and all public lands—matter to you can make a big difference. A quick call or email to your congressional representatives can help advocate for the resources needed to maintain trails, protect wildlife, and keep the park safe and welcoming for everyone.

The Indiana Dunes are a treasure—rich in biodiversity, beauty, and meaning for so many who live near and visit them. But they need all of us to help ensure they stay that way. Whether you’re exploring the trails, enjoying the beach, or simply speaking up for their protection, your actions make a real impact. By recreating responsibly and supporting the park in thoughtful ways, we can all help protect this incredible place for the future. Let’s show the dunes the care they deserve.