There’s nothing like a simple, low-key drive down a scenic highway in the good ol’ Hoosier State. Indiana’s Lake Michigan area has a shoreline drive that features immaculate views of stunning forests, charming small towns, and the endless blue waters of the lake, and you’ve got to see it all. Take a relaxing drive through the most breathtaking scenery along this Indiana road. Can you drive through Indiana Dunes National Park? Not quite, but you can get close. Check it out:

If you love Lake Michigan, there's a scenic shoreline drive through Indiana that will take you past some of the best views of this Great Lake.
Google/Nitish Dhir
The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is full of fun ways to enjoy this unique part of the state, and this may very well be the best.
Beginning in Gary, this 21.8-mile scenic drive takes you all the way over to Michigan City along the East Dunes Highway.
Google/Janet Leathers
You'll pass through quaint little towns, gorgeous country estates, and many natural wonders other than the lake.
This shoreline drive is about more than just Lake Michigan. The road also passes through immaculate forests that are lovely anytime of year.
Google/Pamela Shew
October is an especially lovely time to take this drive as the leaves will be changing all month long.

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You'll definitely want to bring a camera along for this trip. Driving it straight will only take you about 40 minutes, but you'll likely want to slow down or stop multiple times along the way for views like this.
Google/Younes Mayouf
Trust us, it's 100% worth it in every single way.
There are many places to pull off and park along E Dunes Highway.
Google/amy vuckovich
Whether you're looking for a full day by the beach or just an hour of scenic viewing, you'll find it along Indiana's Lake Michigan Shoreline Scenic Drive.
The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is 15,000 acres of sand dunes, forests, rivers, valleys, swamps, and prairies.
Google/vikram yerneni
Enjoy a cool and quick ride past these natural wonders for a day you'll never forget.

Enjoy this wonderful drive through Indiana Dunes National Park you can do right from your couch:

For more relaxing trips like this, check out these country roads in Indiana that will make for the best scenic drives any time of year. If you’ve ever taken this shoreline drive, we’d love to hear from you! Please share your experiences and photos with us in the comments.

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Can You Drive Through Indiana Dunes National Park?

Tori Jane | August 25, 2023
  1. Can you drive through Indiana Dunes National Park?

While there aren’t any routes that will take you through the park like you’d find with some other National Parks in the U.S., you can still take scenic drives that involve the dunes, which is just as wonderful. Check out the East Dunes Highway, the longest scenic drive in the area that allows you to explore the park a bit. Learn more about East Dunes Highway and start planning your adventure!  

  1. What are some of the best scenic drives in Indiana?

There are almost too many to list! There are countless awe-inspiring scenic drives in Indiana that will make you fall in love with the countryside. Some of our favorites include: 

  • Whitewater Canal Scenic Byway – Meander along the Whitewater Canal on this awesome drive through the Whitewater Valley.  
  • SR-62 – This scenic route is a nice, windy one and includes some of the most beautiful places in Indiana.  
  • Wabash River Scenic Byway – Starting in West Lafayette and ending in Lafayette, this beautiful drive focuses on the majestic Wabash River and makes for an excellent day trip.  

Learn more about the six best scenic drives in Indiana for a quiet day. 

  1. What are the best Indiana scenic byways to experience?

So, of all the choices we’ve got for Indiana scenic byways, which ones are the best ones? You know – the ones that tend to be the most popular because of how awesome they are? Some of the best scenic byways in Indiana are:  

  • The Ohio River Scenic Byway is a 302-mile adventure going through several states, including ours, right along the Ohio.  
  • Historic National Road – This road was the first major improved highway in the United States. 
  • Lincoln Highway – The first transcontinental highway in the U.S.; who knew the roads of Indiana were so innovative?  

Learn more about the wonderful Lincoln Highway. 

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Indiana Dunes National Park, Porter, IN 46304, USA