Lake Michigan Water Trail
Before you decide where to launch, please see information on the safety page. And don’t forget to wear your lifejacket!
Listings are ordered from west (Chicago, IL) to east (New Buffalo, MI).
Indiana Dunes is a premier paddling destination with a continuous water trail along Lake Michigan’s southern shore. Along the trail, paddlers will experience the diverse ecosystems and land use of Northwest Indiana, including white sand beaches, towering dunes, forested bluffs, industrial hubs, bustling ports, and breathtaking sunsets over the Chicago skyline. The Lake Michigan Water Trail currently covers more than 75 miles along the south shore of Lake Michigan, following the entire Indiana coast from Chicago, Illinois to New Buffalo, Michigan. Paddlers, planners, and access site owners from the four states bordering the lake are working together to develop what will be the longest continuous loop of freshwater sea kayaking in the world.
Safety on Lake Michigan
Be visible. Wear bright colors so others can see you between waves or in foggy conditions.
Carry a bright light, a whistle, and flares to signal your position.
Only use a sea kayak with bulkheads/floatation in bow and stern.
Have self rescue skills if paddling in waves or away from shore.
Take a boating safety class offered by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Skill Level: Intermediate to expert
Type: Sea kayak
Conditions: Can vary from calm to dangerous
Length: Varies
Need to Portage: N/A
Access Points:
Calumet Park (Start)
GPS Coordinates: 41.721770, -87.524616
9801 S. Ave. G, Chicago
chicagoparkdistrict.com
Distance from Parking to Water: 60 yd
Distance to Next Access Point: 3.3 mi
GPS Coordinates: 41.697382, -87.510666
701 Casino Center Dr., Hammond
219-659-7678
hammondmarina.com
Distance from Parking to Water: 160 yd
Total Distance from Start: 1.9 mi
Distance to Next Access Point: 1.3 mi
Whiting Lakefront Park and Whihala Beach
Amenities: Pet-Friendly, Picnicking, Restrooms/Portable, Swimming Beach
GPS Coordinates: 41.686843,-87.495928
1500 Park Rd., Whiting
219-659-0860
whitingindiana.com
Distance from Parking to Water: 50 yd
Total Distance from Start: 3.2 mi
Distance to Next Access Point: 8.3 mi
GPS Coordinates: 41.655212, -87.436893
3301 Aldis St., East Chicago, IN
219-391-8482
eastchicago.com
Distance from Parking to Water: 50 yd
Total Distance from Start: 11.5 mi
Distance to Next Access Point: 9.3 mi
Amenities: Picnicking, Restrooms/Portable, Swimming Beach
GPS Coordinates: 41.620344,-87.270111
860 N. Lake St., Gary
219-938-7362
marquetteparkgary.org
Distance from Parking to Water: 100 yd
Total Distance from Start: 20.8 mi
Distance to Next Access Point: 2.4 mi
GPS Coordinates: 41.624363, -87.223365
9501 Lake Shore Dr., Gary
219-938-8275
wellsstbeach.com
Distance from Parking to Water: 85 yd
Total Distance from Start: 23.2 mi
Distance to Next Access Point: 0.8 mi
Amenities: Fee, Picnicking, Restrooms/Portable, Swimming Beach
GPS Coordinates: 41.626477, -87.207746
376 N. County Line Rd., Gary
219-395-1882
nps.gov/indu
Distance from Parking to Water: 550 yd
Total Distance from Start: 24.0 mi
Distance to Next Access Point: 1.8 mi
Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk
Amenities: Accessible, Parking, Pet-Friendly, Picnicking, Restrooms/Portable, Swimming Beach
GPS Coordinates: 41.631519, -87.177822
100 Riverwalk Dr., Portage
219-395-1882
nps.gov/indu
Distance from Parking to Water: 45 yd
Total Distance from Start: 25.8 mi
Distance to Next Access Point: 6.6 mi
Amenities: Parking, Restrooms/Portable, Swimming Beach
GPS Coordinates: 41.661038, -87.069415
3050 Wabash Ave., Porter
219-395-1882
nps.gov/indu
Distance from Parking to Water: 75 yd
Total Distance from Start: 32.4 mi
Distance to Next Access Point: 0.1 mi
Amenities: Accessible, Camping, Fee, Gift Shop/Sales, Pet-Friendly, Picnicking, Restrooms/Portable, Swimming Beach
GPS Coordinates: 41.661905, -87.066958
1600 N. 25 East, Chesterton
219-926-1952
in.gov/dnr/parklake/2980.htm
Distance from Parking to Water: 145 yd
Total Distance from Start: 32.5 mi
Distance to Next Access Point: 3.3 mi
GPS Coordinates: 41.681869, -87.009884
27 N. East State Park Rd., Chesterton
219-395-1882
nps.gov/indu
Distance from Parking to Water: 475 yd
Total Distance from Start: 35.8 mi
Distance to Next Access Point: 0.4 mi
GPS Coordinates: 41.684160, -87.003326
300 W. Lake Front Dr., Michigan City
219-395-1882
nps.gov/indu
Distance from Parking to Water: 125 yd
Total Distance from Start: 36.2 mi
Distance to Next Access Point: 0.4 mi
Lake View Beach Access & Picnic Area
Amenities: Restrooms/Portable, Picknicking
GPS Coordinates: 41.686323, -86.996931
50 W. Lake Front Dr., Beverly Shores
219-395-1882
nps.gov/indu
Distance from Parking to Water: 45 yd
Total Distance from Start: 36.6 mi
Distance to Next Access Point: 2.7 mi
GPS Coordinates: 41.703341, -86.951112
Central Ave. & Valley Ave., Michigan City
219-395-1882
nps.gov/indu
Distance from Parking to Water: 90 yd
Total Distance from Start: 39.3 mi
Distance to Next Access Point: 3.2 mi
Amenities: Accessible, Fee, Picnicking,Restrooms/Portable, Swimming Beach
GPS Coordinates: 41.727500,-86.905870
6 on the Lake, Michigan City
219-873-1506
michigancityparks.com
Distance from Parking to Water: 30 yd
Total Distance from Start: 42.5 mi
Distance to Next Access Point: 10.5 mi
GPS Coordinates: 41.802349, -86.749112
200 Marquette Dr., New Buffalo, MI
269-469-1522
cityofnewbuffalo.org
Distance from Parking to Water: 200 yd
Total Distance from Start: 53.0 mi