Last updated on December 19, 2023.

The newest section of Indiana Dunes National Park is the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk in Portage, Indiana. It opened in October 2008 and is a popular place to spot migrating birds.

 

History

The area is a reclaimed natural habitat that was once a toxic waste dump for a steel mill. 57 acres of dunes and lagoons had to be cleaned before the site was added to the national park. Now, it’s a successful example of brownfield reclamation. The photo below shows what used to be an acid pond at the bottom of a blowout.

Former acid pool
Former acid pond

 

Lakefront

The small lakefront features one of the most popular beaches at Indiana Dunes National Park. Next door to the beach, you can also see some of the most beautiful homes on Lake Michigan. They’re located in Ogden Dunes, which is a small lakefront town.

Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk at Indiana Dunes National Park
Beach

At the entrance to the beach is the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Pavilion. It contains 3,500 ft² of classroom and meeting space as well as a seasonal snack bar and bathroom facilities.

Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk at Indiana Dunes National Park
Pavilion

 

Riverwalk

An easy 0.9 mile loop trail is located at the site. Much of it is accessible. The first half of the trail takes visitors through the former waste dump, allowing a firsthand look at how the dunes have been reclaimed.

Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Trail
Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Trail
Scenery along the trail at Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk, Indiana Dunes National Park
Scenery along the trail

It then crosses the road and heads back towards the lake on a riverwalk along the Burns Waterway.

Riverwalk
Riverwalk
Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk at Indiana Dunes National Park
Riverwalk

The Burns Waterway is a canal dug to provide access to a small boat harbor about a mile south of the lake. Along the riverwalk, you can look down the canal towards the harbor. Across the waterway is a U.S. Steel plant.

Looking south down the Burns Waterway
Looking south down the Burns Waterway
U.S. Steel buildings
U.S. Steel buildings

 

Natural Beach

At the end of the riverwalk is a small section of beach set aside as a natural habitat. It also provides a nice look at the mouth of the Burns Waterway.

Natural beach
Natural beach
Mouth of the Burns Waterway at Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk, Indiana Dunes National Park
Mouth of the Burns Waterway

On this small section of beach you’ll notice a large amount of driftwood. This driftwood naturally washes up on the beach and provides shelter for small animals. It also enriches the soil as it decays. There were plenty of ducks on the beach on the day I visited.

Ducks on the beach at Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk, Indiana Dunes National Park
Ducks on the beach
Ducks on Lake Michigan
Ducks on Lake Michigan
Some ducks on driftwood at Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk, Indiana Dunes National Park
Some ducks on driftwood
Ducks enjoying the lake at Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk, Indiana Dunes National Park
Ducks enjoying the lake

 

Fishing Pier

Finally, there’s an accessible fishing pier just downhill from the pavilion. At the end is a restored 900 foot breakwater.

Fishing pier and breakwater
Fishing pier and breakwater
Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk at Indiana Dunes National Park
Fishing pier
Looking back towards land from the end of the fishing pier at Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk, Indiana Dunes National Park
Looking back towards land from the end of the fishing pier
Breakwater across from the end of the fishing pier
Breakwater across from the end of the fishing pier

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Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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