Last Updated on January 16, 2024

There aren’t any desert dunes in Indiana, but you can still enjoy sand boarding and sand sledding in the coastal dunes of Lake Michigan, not too far the border with Illinois and from the city of Chicago.

Please note that you are not allowed to sandboard in the areas within the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore itself (most of which have vegetation in them), but you can find dunes for sand surfing in the areas surrounding it.

This is an official statement from the park:

The Indiana Dunes State Park and the Indiana Dunes National Park (formerly the National Lakeshore) don’t allow sandboarding.

Our dunes are quite fragile, and boarding will speed up erosion and possibly kill the marram grass which is helping to stabilize the dunes.

As part of the Amazon Associate and eBay partner network programmes, we earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this website.

Sand surfing in Indiana: Dunes near Mt Baldy
Dunes near Mt Baldy, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Photo courtesy of Chris Light.

Indiana Dunes – Indiana Dunes State Park, Chesterton

Small dunes ideal for sand sledding, surrounded by nature and ideal to complement a quiet day out enjoying nature.

You can slide in Kemil Beach but it’s not the best place – the dunes to the west of the park are best for sandboarding, as well as the area surrounding Mt. Baldy.


Mt. Baldy – Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan City

Beach dunes surrounding Lake Michigan and located right on the border between the states of Indiana and Michigan.

Dunes are somewhat short but steep enough to enjoy your ride without having to worry about hiking back on top.

It’s better to slide down the lower dunes close to Lake Michigan rather than Mt. Baldy itself. Do not


Sandboard Rentals

There are not any sandboard rentals available in the area, but some local surf shops have boards and sleds for rent, for instance Third Coast Surf Shop in Buffalo, MI.

Alternatively, you can buy your very own sandboard or sand sled online.


Sandboards for Sale

Slip Face Sandboards Diamondback Board
Slip Face Sandboards’
Diamond Back Terrain Sandboard
– 9 ply maple veneer deck
– High pressure laminate base, high gloss
– Dakine adjustable foot straps
– Slip Face Sandboards multi-positionable foot pads
– Swallow tail design

Slip Face Sandboard Kestrel WingTail
Slip Face Sandboards’
Kestrel Wing 127
– 9 ply maple veneer deck
– Low friction base
– Dakine adjustable foot straps
– Slip Face Sandboards multi-positionable foot pads
– Swallow tail design

Browse more sandboards and sandsleds


USA Sandboarding Map


Read also: Sand Dunes of Lake Michigan

Leave a Reply