The main entrance to the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center is made from concrete, red brick, glass doors, and green metal. Walking through the first set of doors least to an entryway with some pamphlets about the local area. Continuing through a second set of doors leads to the main gallery. A welcome desk is on the left side of the room. In the rear center is the gift shop. Along the middle and right of the room are brochures about the park and local communities. The theater room is along the wall in the back right. The exhibit room and restrooms are down the hallway on the far right.

View lobby displays and pick up brochures about Porter County, Indiana, Dunes State Park, and Indiana Dunes National Park. Enjoy educational displays and watch two short orientation videos. Shop in the Eastern National bookstore. The visitor center is open everyday with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

Sidewalk and driveway outside the exterior of the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center.

Indiana Dunes Visitor Center

indoor view of visitor center book center

Visitor Center Museum Shop

Indiana Dunes Visitor Center (Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center)

The Indiana Dunes Visitor Center is open daily with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

Winter Hours

Thanksgiving Day

Christmas Day

New Years Day

Indiana Dunes Visitor Center (Dorothy Buell Visitor Center)

Orange circular stamp with the words Indiana Dunes National Park and Porter, IN written inside.

Indiana Dunes National Park - Main Stamp

The stamp is circular in shape. It is made of orange ink. The inside of the circle, at the top, are the words Indiana Dunes National Park. The bottom inside of the circle has the words Porter, IN. There is no date with this stamp.

The Douglas Center is a wooden building built into several pod or round-shaped rooms. Crossing the pedestrian bridge is the main entrance. The trailhead for Miller Woods is down the set of stairs on the right. Entering the door is the main entry room. Rest rooms are on the left. Through the next set of doors is the welcome desk and a mural of Miller Woods. Down the hall on the right is a sloping hallway painted bright blue with a rainbow above. Two-(2) pods are located on either side of the bottom of the ramp. The left is the theater/auditorium room. The right is the craft room. Tables line the craft room with activity guides and supplies for children to make their own crafts. Continuing down the hall is the final pod on the right, the animal room. Bass, amphibians, snakes, and reptiles are on either side of the room in glass enclosures. The set of doors leads to the trail of Miller Woods. This trail is fully accessible and provides a short loop around the pond at the base of the dune the Paul H. Douglas center is built upon.

The Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education is your gateway to the stunning Paul H. Douglas Trail through Miller Woods. This facility connects you to the natural environment through educational hands-on exhibits, ranger-guided hikes, lectures, animals, crafts, and a Nature Play Zone. Summer hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Central Time (Friday of Memorial Day weekend through Monday of Labor Day weekend). Winter hours are 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Central Time.

Douglas Center Entrance

Learning Fun in the Activity Room

Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education

The Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education is open everyday with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Summer hours are from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Central Time (Friday of Memorial Day weekend through the Monday Labor Day weekend). Winter hours are from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Central Time (remainder of the year).

The circular stamp is made with orange ink. On the top inside is written Indiana Dunes National Park. On the bottom inside is written Porter, IN. There so no date.

Lake Michigan's might has influenced Indiana Dunes for millennia. Wind and waves have shaped the land, leaving a rich mosaic of habitats along these 15 miles of Indiana coast. Over 50 miles of trails lead through shifting sand dunes, quiet woodlands, sunny prairies and lush wetlands. Known for its striking plant and bird diversity, it's easy to find inspiration throughout the park’s 15,000 acres.