Indiana Dunes Beach

We did not enjoy ourselves. Teenage lifeguards and DNR officers thought it best to have some weird power trip and blast their whistle every 5 minutes instead of actually enforcing the rules. People were drinking alcohol, digging holes in the sand, smoking marijuana, bringing their dogs, playing music on speakers ... ... All of which was supposed to be prohibited according to the loud speakers blasting the "rules" every half hour. Also, having to pay to park in a place that's already also supported by my state tax dollars is also crazy to me. I've never understood that double taxation model of doing business. We'll forego the State Dunes Beach next time I think. Would not recommend overall.

So, crazy question: Is it safe, recommended, to swim here? If i brought my kids to the dunes this summer, its cool for them to be in the water, right???

So beautiful! Love this area.

Great place to hike and look at the water

Beautiful beach to walk along the shore, enjoy the waves and view of Chicago skyline from west of pavilion. Sand is cleaned everyday, stones by shore for kids to play with and make sculptures. Dogs are allowed, especially a great walk east of pavilion. No alcohol on beach. Eat outside on tables at Pavilion with fast cafeteria drink and food, great venue for events, nice bar on outdoor balcony with great view. Bathrooms, showers, dressing stalls.