Beaches
6 miles of public beaches. 5 minutes from anywhere in Miller Beach.
Gary’s Miller Beach neighborhood is located at the southernmost point of Lake Michigan. In this unique location, lake currents and winds replenish the beaches and sand bars naturally. The wide sand dunes protect the shore, so visitors can safely enjoy swimming, boating and water sports. On clear days, the Chicago skyline stands tall across the water.
Miller Woods Beach at Indiana Dunes National Park
This Is the westernmost beach in the Indiana Dunes National Park. You can reach Miller Woods Beach in two ways, by parking near the Paul H. Douglas Center and hiking towards Lake Michigan on the Miller Woods Trail, or by parking in the Lake Street Beach public parking lot. This quiet beach features low, windswept sand dunes, cottonwood trees poking out of the sand, and shallow waters. It is known locally as a peaceful spot for walking. Dogs must be leashed.
PARKING: Paid. The Lake Street Beach parking lot is managed by the City of Gary. Open seasonally. Also access by walking the short and scenic paved Chanute Trail from the main Marquette Park parking lot.
Marquette Park and Beach
Marquette Park is Gary’s most famous beachfront park, offering spectacular views of Lake Michigan. This scenic park features miles of walkable beach, a concession stand, playgrounds, hiking trails, picnic areas and shelters. There is a statue commemorating the famous missionary Jacques Marquette, an accessible ADA Kayak Lagoon Launch, and two historic events venues (Marquette Pavilion and historic Gary Bath House). Dogs must be leashed.
PARKING: Paid in the lakefront parking lots and free in parking lots on Marquette Avenue. The Marquette Park parking lots are managed by the City of Gary. Open seasonally.
Lake Street Beach
Drive north on Lake Street from the Miller train station and within minutes you will see Lake Michigan rising on the horizon. Located at the end of Lake Street, this beach stretches wide and features an iconic red chair facing the lake. A Jet ski and small craft launch is available during the summer for watersports enthusiasts. Hikers and bikers can walk east, parallel to the lake to access the paved Chanute trail, leading to Marquette Park. You can also walk west along the lake to find the Miller Woods trail in Indiana Dunes National park. Dogs must be leashed.
PARKING: Paid. The Lake Street Beach parking lot is managed by the City of Gary. Open seasonally.
Wells Street Beach
Wells Street Beach is a small public beach at the eastern end of the Miller Beach neighborhood. The concession offers burgers, hot dogs, ice cream and cold drinks. No pets allowed. For more information, click here.
PARKING: Paid. Privately managed parking lot. Open seasonally.
West Beach at Indiana Dunes National Park
West beach is located in Indiana Dunes National Park, on the eastern border of the Miller Beach neighborhood. The West Beach trail system offers sweeping views of Lake Michigan and Chicago from the Dunes Succession trail. The trail allows visitors to experience various stages of plant succession as they walk through forested dunes, jack pine groves, blowouts, grassy dune ridges and open beach. Dogs must be leashed.
PARKING is complementary with payment of park entrance fee. Click here to pay online.
See the Indiana Dunes National Park website for updated information on parking fees as well as bath house and lifeguard hours.
Stroll out onto almost 6 miles of sandy beaches, all public, walkable, and continuous. There are 3 national park beaches within walking distance of Miller Beach. Public parking is available at all of NPS beaches and in Marquette Park, see map. All beaches have walking trails through the dunes as well as the shore.