Indiana Dunes National Park

Permit Information

NPS Special Use Permit required. Fees range from $65 for a simple ceremony to $200 for more complex events. Submit the application at least 30 days in advance; applications accepted up to 12 months ahead. Contact the Special Park Uses office at 219 395 8138 for planning help.

Planning Your Day at Indiana Dunes National Park

One-Spot Day

Indiana Dunes has specific permit windows that dictate when you can actually hold a ceremony: Memorial Day through Labor Day, summer weekend ceremonies must begin no earlier than 6:30 pm (the beaches are reserved for public use during daytime hours). Weekdays Mon to Fri 8am to 8pm. Saturday, Sunday, and holidays 8am to 11am (morning window only). Off season (September through May) has wider 8am to dusk windows. Two hour ceremony cap at all sites. NPS Special Use Permit required at $65 non refundable for simple ceremonies, up to $200 for complex events. Submit at least 30 days in advance, applications accepted up to 12 months ahead. Contact the Special Park Uses office at 219 395 8138. Max capacity varies by site: West Beach (100 guests, largest in the park), Kemil Beach (50), Portage Lakefront Pavilion (30 to 50 depending on configuration). A one spot day is easy because the park runs along Lake Michigan and everything is within a 30 minute drive. Chicago is an hour away for reception dinner; Dunewood Campground or Beverly Shores Inn provide in park and adjacent lodging.

Ceremony + Portraits Split

The summer weekend reality: your ceremony must start at or after 6:30 pm, so plan for sunset vows. This actually works well at Indiana Dunes because the late day light over Lake Michigan delivers the signature image. Weekday flexibility opens your options: morning at Kemil Beach (east facing, sunrise direct over the water), midday portraits at Portage Lakefront Pavilion (only real indoor rain plan in the park), sunset at West Beach (signature shot with Chicago skyline glowing across the water at blue hour). Off season (September through May) allows full day access and quieter beaches, and September in particular delivers 65 to 70°F lake water and golden light without summer crowds. Permits do NOT grant exclusive use; the public cannot be excluded from the ceremony area. No tents, tables, chairs on sand, or amplified sound at any beach (acoustic music and handheld speakers at low volume permitted). Glass prohibited on all beaches. No balloon, rice, confetti, or petal releases.

A Note on Light

Indiana Dunes stretches along Lake Michigan's southern shore, with different beaches facing different directions. West Beach faces west, which makes it the premier sunset location with Chicago skyline silhouetted across the water; shoot in the last two hours before sunset. Kemil Beach faces east northeast, making it the sunrise location (rare in the park system); the sun rises directly over the water for about 20 minutes of warm direct light. Portage Lakefront faces north into the lake, so light is flatter across the patio but the glass pavilion delivers clean architectural light for interior portraits. Midday sun on the open beach is harsh and should be avoided for ceremonies (even weekday 8am to noon slots work best at Kemil where the east facing angle keeps the sun lower). Wind off Lake Michigan is a constant; plan hair, veil, and decor for gusting conditions and bring a lens cloth because fine sand coats gear quickly. September delivers the best weather window: warm lake water, softer light, and fewer crowds after Labor Day.

Ceremony Spots at Indiana Dunes National Park

• West Beach — Classic Lake Michigan shoreline ceremony with Chicago skyline views and large group capacity
• Kemil Beach — Quiet, intimate Lake Michigan ceremony away from the busier western beaches
• Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Pavilion — Accessible ceremony with a covered rain backup and Lake Michigan views, the park's most wheelchair friendly venue