West Beach Picnic Shelters
This is a day-use picnic shelter facility only; overnight camping is not available. The shelters are currently closed and reopen around May 22, 2026. Seasonal amenities including restrooms, potable water at the picnic area, and the bathhouse with showers operate from mid-May through mid-October. Year-round restrooms and water are available at the contact station.
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 1 at 3:09PM CDT until July 3 at 12:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
* WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with peak afternoon heat index values of 100 to 105 degrees expected. * WHERE...Portions of central, east central, north central, and northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana. * WHEN...Until midnight CDT /1 AM EDT/ Thursday Night. * IMPACTS...Heat related illnesses increase during heat waves. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Dangerous heat is expected to persist through Thursday. Thunderstorms may begin to bring some relief from the heat for portions of northern Illinois by Thursday afternoon or evening.
About
West Beach Picnic Shelters provides eight covered picnic shelters for day-use visitors at Indiana Dunes National Park. The shelters are located near the main West Beach parking lot, which accommodates 596 vehicles including spaces for buses and RVs. Each shelter includes picnic tables, and reservations can be made up to six months in advance through Recreation.gov for use from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM. This is one of only six locations within the national park where cooking fires and grilling are authorized. Visitors may use provided grills or bring approved carry-in grills with noncombustible containers. Seasonal restrooms and potable water at the picnic area operate from mid-May through mid-October, while year-round restrooms and water are available at the contact station. A bathhouse with showers and lockers is open seasonally. West Beach offers access to Lake Michigan beaches and hiking trails. Pets are allowed on leash except in lifeguarded swimming areas. Glass containers, rock/shell collecting, and confetti are prohibited. A valid park entrance pass or fee receipt is required in addition to the shelter reservation fee.
Directions
The address for West Beach is 376 North County Line Road, Gary, IN 46403. The picnic shelters are located near the main West Beach parking lot.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | — |
| Wifi | — |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | Yes |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | — |
| Price | $25 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | — |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| INDU_Communications@nps.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (219) 395-1882 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Useful Links
| View on Recreation.gov | |
| Picnic Areas - Indiana Dunes NPS |
Availability
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