Local Beaches

Katie
Local Beaches

Beaches

Kemil Beach is one of our favorite beach spots because of the easy access to both the beach and hiking trails via Indiana Dunes National Park. Parking is limited and you will often see people walking down the "main drag" to and from the beach from lots much further away. If you are willing to hike via trails or shoreline away from the main street, you will find a mostly secluded beach.
14 locals recommend
Kemil Beach
14 locals recommend
Kemil Beach is one of our favorite beach spots because of the easy access to both the beach and hiking trails via Indiana Dunes National Park. Parking is limited and you will often see people walking down the "main drag" to and from the beach from lots much further away. If you are willing to hike via trails or shoreline away from the main street, you will find a mostly secluded beach.
Washington Park Beach offers paid parking for drive-up access to Lake Michigan and Michigan City' Lighthouse. This is a nice option if you have a lot of stuff to haul!
60 locals recommend
Washington Park Beach
60 locals recommend
Washington Park Beach offers paid parking for drive-up access to Lake Michigan and Michigan City' Lighthouse. This is a nice option if you have a lot of stuff to haul!
Mount Baldy has awesome sunsets, and on clear days/nights you can see the Chicago skyline! A 1/4 mile hike through the woods brings you to the top of the dune overlooking Michigan City's lighthouse. Climb down the dune and head left (West) when the tide is low to enjoy a truly unique stroll along Lake Michigan. A rich timberline with changing soils -- from sand to clay -- offer a diverse natural ecosystem within a small area on this beach stretch. Great for a more low-key beach day during the summer months when the beach is long. Equally perfect for a morning or evening stroll with kids.
Indiana Dunes National Park Mount Baldy
187 Rice St
Mount Baldy has awesome sunsets, and on clear days/nights you can see the Chicago skyline! A 1/4 mile hike through the woods brings you to the top of the dune overlooking Michigan City's lighthouse. Climb down the dune and head left (West) when the tide is low to enjoy a truly unique stroll along Lake Michigan. A rich timberline with changing soils -- from sand to clay -- offer a diverse natural ecosystem within a small area on this beach stretch. Great for a more low-key beach day during the summer months when the beach is long. Equally perfect for a morning or evening stroll with kids.

City advice

Getting around

Our Lakeshore Drive & Beach "Stops"

East of Washington Park begins the area's Lakeshore Drive, a road which runs alongside our shores of Lake Michigan. In comparison to Chicago's Lakeshore Drive, quite modest but practically just as busy being barely two lanes but host to walkers, bikers and beach-goers alike. Read: this is not a fast route, but it is a scenic one worth checking out! Indicated by way of "Stops", Stop 1 - Stop 41 spans miles through several beach communities; starting at Sheridan Beach and passing through Long Beach, Duneland Beach and Michiana Shores before ending prior to Grand Beach.