Partial pet access

Indiana Dunes National Park pet access

Reviewed summary of the park's official pet rules. This is not an official NPS website.

INChecked 2026-09-28

Where pets are allowed

  • Park beaches year-round outside the signed seasonal West Beach lifeguarded swimming area.
  • Pinhook Upland Trail and other trails not listed by NPS as restricted.

Where pets are not allowed

  • Pinhook Bog Trail except as applicable to authorized ranger-led access.
  • The equestrian portion of the Glenwood Dunes Trail system.
  • Nature play areas at the Douglas Center and within the Mather and Douglas loops of Dunewood Campground.
  • The signed lifeguarded swimming area at West Beach from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend through the Monday of Labor Day weekend; pets may only pass through to reach beaches on either side.

Leash rule

Pets must be restrained; reviewed source states a maximum leash length of 6 feet.

Safety notes

Official source

Authority: National Park Service

Open the official NPS pet-rules page

Rules can change. Verify the official source before travel.

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