Editor’s note: A previous version of this story ran in September 2023. This story has been updated with the most recent information provided by the Department of National Resources and the Indiana Dunes.
A federal government shutdown that could start Oct. 1 would mean the closure of or limited access to resources at National Park Service sites, which includes the Indiana Dunes.
But even if a shutdown does happen, visitors will likely still have access to the Indiana Dunes State Park.
Is the Indiana Dunes a national park?
Yes, but it is important to note the Indiana Dunes has both a state and national park.
The Indiana Dunes State Park, has not historically affected by federal government shutdowns, while the Indiana Dunes National Park has.
The Indiana Dunes National Park, made up of 15,000 acres in northwest Indiana, became the country’s 61st national park in February 2019, just after the last federal government shutdown.
How the shutdown would impact national parks
A new government shutdown will start at midnight Wednesday, Oct. 1, unless Congress can come to an agreement to avoid it or approve a continuing resolution to extend deadlines for lawmakers.
If no funding measures are approved, the majority of National Park Service locations will be completely closed to public access and visitors at sites that are “physically accessible” will see reduced services as a result of the shutdown, according to materials from the park service.
The National Park Service is encouraging people not to visit sites during a shutdown to ensure safety and protect park resources.
Thousands of park rangers across the country are expected to be furloughed if a shutdown begins, meaning they will be unable to work and get paid. Staffing levels to help in emergencies and maintain trash, restrooms, campgrounds and roads are not guaranteed, according to the National Park Service.
Story continues after photo gallery.
Indiana Dunes visitor center, state park will likely remain open
While visitor centers at national parks around the country might close during a shutdown, the Indiana Dunes official visitor center is owned by Porter County government and will remain open, Lorelei Weimer, former president and CEO of Indiana Dunes Tourism told IndyStar in 2023.
The details of past shutdowns at the Indiana Dunes depended on the presidential administration at the time, Weimer said at the time. In 2023, she said the park would remain open during a shutdown. IndyStar reached out to current tourism contacts to confirm that’s still the case in 2025, but had not yet received a response as of Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 30.
During the 35-day shutdown under President Donald Trump, which lasted from December 2018 until January 2019, there were reports of trash piling up at national park sites and the organization relied on nonprofits and volunteers to keep up certain services.
The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore was open during the 2018-2019 shutdown, but federal park rangers were not working and programs were canceled.
How to visit Indiana Dunes State Park
Indiana Dunes State Park is located at 1600 N. 25 E. in Chesterton. The phone number for the park is 219-926-1952. You can find more information at www.in.gov/dnr.
This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.
CONTRIBUTING: Former IndyStar reporter Brittani Carloni.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana Dunes includes both a state and national park. Would it close during a government shutdown?
Reporting by Katie Wiseman, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
