Indiana Dunes National Park Beaches encompass fifteen miles of sandy beach along the southern shore of Lake Michigan and offer a wide variety of recreational activities. There are several beach parking lots along the park. All beaches and parking lots are open daily from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm and have potable water and restrooms. Beaches include: West Beach, Portage Lakefront & Riverwalk Beach, Porter Beach, Kemil Beach, Dunbar Beach, Lake View Beach, Central Avenue Beach, and Mount Baldy Beach. The only beach with lifeguards is West Beach. Some beaches have plenty of beach space and a steady supply of sand and can handle the highs and lows of the lake’s cycles. Therefore, erosion does not affect those areas as heavily during high lake levels, spring storms, or runoff. However, the beaches at Mount Baldy, Central Avenue, Lake View, and Portage Lakefront do not have that steady supply of sand. These areas are particularly vulnerable to erosion from storm waves. Dogs on a leash no longer than 6 feet are allowed year round on all beaches with the following exception: Pets are not allowed in the lifeguarded swimming area at West Beach from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend through the Monday of Labor Day Weekend. Pets must be on a leash at all times, even when swimming in the lake.
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