West Beach
Portage, IN
West Beach is the main swimming beach at the west end of Indiana Dunes National Park, with a bathhouse, lifeguards in summer, and the popular West Beach trail system winding over the dunes behind it. It's the only national park beach here with an entrance fee.
The national park's most developed beach with great trails, though it charges an entrance fee.
How we score beachesHike the West Beach Succession Trail, with its long staircase over the dunes, after your swim.
A national park entrance fee is charged per vehicle at West Beach.
The bathhouse and a paved path lead toward the sand.
Lifeguards are on duty in the summer season. The dunes trails are best in spring and fall.
More Great Lakes beaches
Sleeping Bear Dunes Beach
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Freshwater Lake Michigan surf below towering sand dunes, some over 400 feet tall, with water clear enough to rival a coastline and a hike back up the dune to burn it off.
New Buffalo City Beach
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Warren Dunes State Park
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