Indiana Dunes STATE Park charges a separate at Indiana Dunes: what applies in 2026?

Direct answer

Indiana Dunes STATE Park charges a separate state fee — national park passes are not accepted there

Exact conditions

Status: Not required; the stated access rule still applies
Applies to: specific area
Place or corridor: Indiana Dunes State Park (1600 N 25 E, Chesterton, IN) — a State of Indiana park surrounded by, but not part of, Indiana Dunes National Park
Effective dates: January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026
Release model: first come

Fee detail: NPS does not publish the Indiana Dunes State Park gate fee, and no official NPS page states an amount. Check with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources for the current state park rate.

Exceptions and limits

This rule does not apply if you stay inside the national park; the two parks have completely separate gates, fees and passes.

Official source

National Park Service · reviewed August 27, 2026

Indiana Dunes National Park is owned by the federal government and Indiana Dunes State Park is owned by the State of Indiana. As such, each park has fees and passes that are separate and unique. None of the passes and fees work between the two parks.

Fees & Passes - Indiana Dunes National Park (U.S. National Park Service)