People visit the Indiana Lakes all year round but most people visit during spring and the summertime for spring break, romantic weekend getaways, holidays, family vacations, business, extended stays, short breaks from work and more. Many people choose a beach in Indiana for the perfect wedding or honeymoon destination.
The best beaches in Indiana can be found along the shores of Lake Michigan and many of the other Lakes within the state.
Hotels and Lodging near Lake Michigan
There are many public marinas where you can rent a boat or launch your boat. Go canoeing, kayaking or sailing.
Take a cruise aboard a Yacht on Lake Michigan. There are sightseeing tours and fireworks shows. The charters are available April through September.
On Lake Michigan there are fishing piers, public washrooms, boat slips, dive charters for scuba diving among shipwrecks, plane wrecks and more. There are scuba diving classes available. You can rent or buy scuba diving equipment too.
Fishing and Charter Boats
Charter a boat on Lake Michigan from March through December. Catch Steelhead, King Salmon, Chinook, Coho, Lake Trout, Brown Trout and more. Or Fish other nearby lakes, streams or rivers for Salmon, bass, Coho, Steelhead, Brown Trout, Chinook, Sprint walleye, Crappie, Blue Gill, Northern Pike and more.
Indiana Dunes State Park
The park offers a nice clean beach and plenty of outdoor recreation. There is an Environmental Learning Center which offers educational programs for schools, scouts, youth and adult groups. Visit the State Park Nature center to see exhibits, the wildlife library, the bird observation room and more. The Indiana dunes have a variety of bird species for those who like to bird watch. there are sections of marsh where you can find wetland birds. You can find Hawks during their migration too. Campers will find the campground a short ways from the beach. At the campground, you will find restrooms, play areas, firewood, a camp store and more. Events are scheduled throughout the year so there's never a dull moment. Hike the trails. Visit Historic landmarks. In the winter, you can go cross county skiing, sledding, snowshoeing and more winter activities.
located on the North side of Valparaiso
To book a hotel, see Chesterton , Hebron , Portage , Porter or Valparaiso hotels .
List of Lakes in Northern Indiana
Lake James - 3rd largest lake in the state is near Angola in Pokagon State park. Go hiking, biking, cross country skiing. There is a nature center here. For near by lodging see Angola hotels.
Lake Manitou is near Rochester. For nearby lodging see Rochester hotels .
Pokagon State Park - 2 sandy beaches near Angola. For lodging see Angola hotels .
Pine Lake has water slides, paddle boats and a sandy beach. Its located in Berne near Decatur. For near by lodging see Decatur hotels .
Brookville Lake is in Brookville near Rushville in the south central region. For nearby lodging see Rushville hotels
Monroe Lake is near Smithville and Bloomington in the south central region. For nearby lodging see Bloomington hotels .
Cecil M. Hardin Lake is also known as Raccoon Lake. Its located in Rockville north of Brazil and Cloverdale in the Western region. For nearby lodging see Brazil and Cloverdale hotels .
Cagle Mill Lake is near Cloverdale in the Western region. For nearby lodging see Cloverdale hotels .
Hardy Lake is near Scottsburg located in the South region. For nearby lodging see Scotsburg hotels .
Hovey Lake is near Mt. Vernon in South region. For nearby lodging see Mt. Vernon hotels .
Lake Shafer - Beach Amusement Resort at Monticello in Western region. There is a sand beach, swimming area, 6 water slides and campgrounds. For nearby lodging see Monticello hotels .
Patoka Lake Recreation Area is in South region near Jasper and French Lick. For nearby lodging see Jasper or French Lick hotels .
JE Roush Lake in Huntington located in Eastern region. For nearby lodging see Huntington hotels .
Summit Lake State Park in New Castle - Eastern region. For nearby lodging see New Castle hotels .
Mississinewa Lake in Peru located in Eastern region. For nearby lodging see Peru hotels .
North and South Carolina beach resorts - Read information on the North and South Carolina beach resorts, oceanfront hotels and other tourist attractions.
North Carolina Outer Banks - Learn about the NC Outer banks, oceanfront hotels and resorts.
Louisiana Gulf Coast beach vacations - Read about Louisiana Cajun country.
Mississippi Gulf Coast beach getaways - Read about Biloxi and other resorts in Mississippi.
Alabama Gulf Coast beach resorts - find information on Alabama oceanfront resorts and other tourist attractions.
Beach Activities / Recreation