Policy:
Pets are permitted at many areas of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Handheld leash must be 6 feet or less in length and in use at all times. They may also be kept in a crate or cage. Areas open to pets all year :Mount Baldy, Central Beach , Lakeview Beach , Kemil Beach, Most hiking trails (exception Ly-co-ki-we trail is closed to pets) Areas Closed to Pets: Pets are never allowed at Porter Beach defined as an area west from the Indiana Dunes State Park boundary to Wabash Road and from Lake Michigan shoreline south to Roskin Road. West Beach - West Beach is defined as the area from County Line Road east to the National Park Service boundary on the west side of Ogden Dunes and from Lake Michigan shoreline south to U.S. Hwy. 12. All beaches are closed to pets, however, pets are permitted on trails and in parking areas. Pets are never allowed on the Ly-co-ki-we trail. Horses are allowed on Ly-co-ki-we trail, a one-way trail from March 16 through December 14. The trail is also closed to horses whenever snow is three inches or more deep. Owners are required to bag and remove horse excrement from the parking lot and picnic areas.

Directions:
Visitors can access the national lakeshore via I-94, the Indiana Toll Road, I-80/90, U.S. Highway 20, Indiana State Highway 12, and various state roads. The Visitor Center is located off of Indiana Highway 49 between U.S. Highway 20 and Interstate 94, Chesterton, Indiana.