Beaches
3.5 miles of public beaches including the westernmost national park beach. Find a beach 5 minutes from anywhere in Miller Beach.
Gary’s Miller Beach neighborhood is the southernmost point of Lake Michigan, where currents and winds replenish beaches and sand bars naturally. Wide sand dunes protect the shore, for enjoyable swimming, boating and water sports. On clear days, see the Chicago skyline tall across the water. Walk onto 2.5 more miles of beaches for access to 6 miles of Indiana Dunes beaches.
Miller Woods Beach at Indiana Dunes National Park
This mile long beach is the westernmost beach in the Indiana Dunes National Park. Lake Street Beach public parking lot is at the east edge of this beach. Or hike to this beach through Miller Woods by parking near the Paul H. Douglas Center and hiking the Paul H. Douglas Trail. 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 borders this beach at 860 N. Lake Street, Gary, IN. It is managed by the City of Gary and open seasonally.
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 at 6918 Oak Ave., Gary, IN and free in parking lots on Marquette Avenue and on Oak Ave near the playground. 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. Location is 860 N. Lake Street, Gary, IN. Open seasonally.
Wells Street Beach
Wells Street Beach is a privately owned concession and parking at the eastern end of the Miller Beach neighborhood that opens onto public Marquette Beach. Walk directly into the west end of Indiana Dunes National Park’s West Beach from here.
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. Parking address is 376 N. County Line Road, Gary, Indiana.
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. Download a copy of this beach map.