Reserving a bike is quick and easy.

1. Visit our Bike Rentals page.

2. Select your rental date.

3. Choose your bike and any add-ons, then complete your reservation through our secure online checkout.

Once your reservation is confirmed, your bikes will be reserved and ready for pickup on your selected date.

Because availability can be limited during busy summer weekends, we recommend reserving in advance to ensure the right bikes and equipment are available for your ride through the Indiana Dunes.

We strongly encourage booking in advance, as we cannot guarantee bike availability without a reservation.

Reservations are available seven days a week and must be made at least one day in advance. Bikes must be picked up at the appointment time selected during booking.

Limited walk-up rentals may be available on both weekdays and weekends, subject to availability.

Our rentals are designed for full-day exploration of the Indiana Dunes, so bikes are picked up in the morning and returned in the late afternoon.

Bike Pickup

Bikes must be picked up between 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM on the day of your reservation.

Bike the Dunes Operating Hours:

• Weekdays: Staffed 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM

• Weekends: Staffed throughout the day

If you arrive after 11:00 AM on weekdays, staff may no longer be on site and we may not be able to release your reserved bike. We recommend arriving within the pickup window to ensure a smooth start to your ride.

If you expect to arrive later than the pickup window, please let us know in advance.

Bike Returns

All bikes must be returned by 5:00 PM.

If staff are not present when you return:

• Place your bike on the racks outside the trailer

• Lock the bike securely

Late Returns

Bikes and rented equipment returned after 5:00 PM without prior approval may be subject to a $25 late fee.

Our primary adult bikes are the Jamis DTX A3 and the Electra Verse 24D. These versatile hybrid bikes are designed for comfort and stability. They’re perfect for cruising the paved trails throughout the Indiana Dunes State and National Parks.

For younger riders, we offer youth Mountain bikes and are well suited for ages 8–12. We also offer family-friendly attachments so everyone can join the adventure. These include Burley Bee child trailers, and the Burley Tail Wagon for those who want to bring their dog along for the ride.

We will not be offering e-bikes during the 2026 season. However, we plan to introduce Class 1, e-bike rentals in 2027.

Please check back in early 2027 for updates and availability.

The Indiana Dunes are not one continuous beach. The park is a collection of landscapes spread across miles of shoreline, trails, and natural areas. Many of the most interesting places are separated by distance, making them difficult to experience on foot and inconvenient to reach by car.

A bike gives you the freedom to move easily between these places while avoiding the traffic and parking challenges that can occur during busy summer days.

With a bike you can:

• Ride directly to beaches and scenic overlooks

• Explore miles of paved trails through forests and dunes

• Move easily between trailheads, wetlands, and shoreline access points

• Cover far more of the park than you could comfortably walk

In a single ride you can experience towering sand dunes, quiet forests, rare wetlands, and the shoreline of Lake Michigan. Biking allows you to explore the Indiana Dunes at your own pace while enjoying the scenery along the way.

Bike the Dunes is located at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center (1215 N. State Road 49, Porter, IN 46304), just minutes from both Indiana Dunes National Park and Indiana Dunes State Park. Our mobile storefront is positioned directly on the Dunes-Kankakee Trail, allowing riders to start their trip immediately without the hassle of transporting bikes.

From our location, riders have direct access to the Dunes-Kankakee Trail, which connects to both the Marquette Greenway and the Calumet Trail, offering miles of paved riding throughout the Indiana Dunes region.

Bikes are permitted on paved trails and public roads, but not on unpaved hiking trails.

From here, you can ride into both the State Park and National Park, with access to nearby beaches such as Porter Beach, Waverly Beach, and Dune Acres Beach.

Popular destinations accessible by bike include Bailey Homestead, Chellberg Farm, Cowles Bog, Mnoke Prairie Trail, and the Little Calumet River Trail, along with many of the region’s most scenic outdoor areas.

No. Our bikes are rented by the day so you can explore the Indiana Dunes at your own pace. Multi-day rentals are also available.

Bike the Dunes offers a unique and convenient way to explore the Indiana Dunes, with several key advantages:

• Direct trail access – Our mobile storefront is located right on the Dunes-Kankakee Trail, so you can start riding immediately without transporting bikes.

• Prime location – We operate from the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, just minutes from both the State Park and National Park.

• No parking hassles – Skip crowded beach parking areas and start your ride from a central, accessible location.

• Curated riding experience – Our location connects to major regional trails like the Marquette Greenway and Calumet Trail, giving you access to miles of scenic riding.

• Built for visitors – Whether you're a first-time rider, family, or visiting the area for the day, we make it easy to explore the dunes by bike.

• Local expertise – We help guide you to the best routes, destinations, and points of interest throughout the Indiana Dunes.

Our goal is to provide one of the most convenient and enjoyable ways to experience the Indiana Dunes region.

Yes. You may park in the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center parking lot during your bike rental period for convenient access to Bike the Dunes and the trail system.

One of the best parts about having a bike is how quickly and easily you can reach many of the Indiana Dunes’ hidden treasures. Instead of searching for parking at every stop, you can ride from place to place and experience much more of the park in a single outing.

Indiana Dunes State Park is a must-visit destination. The park is home to towering sand dunes, the signature feature of the Indiana Dunes, and a network of hiking trails that climb through and across these impressive landscapes. In addition to the dunes, the park offers miles of beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline, black oak forests, old-growth stands of white pine, dramatic wind-sculpted blowouts, and The Great Marsh, a rare wetland ecosystem teeming with wildlife and a magnet for migrating birds.

Another remarkable area to explore is Cowles Bog, named after renowned botanist Henry Chandler Cowles, whose research helped establish modern ecology. The trails here wind through a diverse landscape of dunes, wetlands, interdunal ponds, and even a rare fen that attracts waterfowl and other wildlife. If you're up for a longer hike, the trail also leads to Boater’s Beach, a quiet stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline where boaters often anchor and enjoy the summer sun.

History lovers should consider riding to Bailey Homestead and Chellberg Farm, where visitors can learn about the earliest European settlers in the area and the historic trading routes along the East Arm of the Little Calumet River. This area is also home to Mnoké Prairie, the Little Calumet River Trail, and trail connections that link the Marquette Greenway with the Porter Brickyard Trail, providing bike access to the nearby towns of Porter and Chesterton.

Exploring the Indiana Dunes by bike allows you to move easily between these incredible landscapes—dunes, forests, wetlands, beaches, and historic sites, making it one of the best ways to experience the park.

Most of the trails near the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center and Indiana Dunes State Park are relatively flat and beginner friendly, making them ideal for casual riders, families, and anyone looking for a relaxed way to explore the park.

The area features several miles of paved multi-use trails that wind through forests, wetlands, and open dune landscapes. These routes are well suited for comfortable cruising and scenic riding.

Some roadways that cross the dunes closer to the Lake Michigan shoreline do include larger hills. Our bikes are equipped with multiple gears, allowing riders to shift into lower gears when climbing. With proper gearing and a steady pace, most riders find these hills manageable.

Whether you’re looking for a leisurely ride through the park or a slightly more adventurous route with dune climbs and lake views, biking offers a comfortable and rewarding way to experience the Indiana Dunes.

Helmets are recommended for all riders and provided with each rental.

A little preparation helps make your ride through the Indiana Dunes more comfortable and enjoyable. We recommend bringing a few simple essentials:

• Water to stay hydrated during your ride

• Sunscreen to protect from sun exposure along the shoreline and open trails

• Comfortable clothing suitable for biking and the weather

• Closed-toe shoes for safe and comfortable riding

• A park pass or entrance fee if you plan to ride within Indiana Dunes State Park

• Bug repellent if you plan to explore hiking trails or wooded areas

These items will help ensure you have a relaxed and enjoyable day exploring the dunes and surrounding trails.

Yes! Riding to the beach is often faster and more convenient than driving. Especially on busy summer days.

Biking allows you to bypass long entrance lines that can take hours on peak weekends. Plus, the State Park bike entry fee is a fraction of the cost of driving in, making it an affordable and stress-free way to reach the beach.

Yes. Indiana Dunes State Park and Indiana Dunes National Park are separate entities, and each has its own pass requirements.

We recommend keeping your National Park pass on your person while riding.

The Indiana Dunes State Park charges a $2 entry fee for bicyclists.

Your safety and enjoyment are our top priorities.

If unsafe weather conditions are forecast, such as severe storms or lightning, we will first work with you to reschedule your reservation based on availability so you can still experience the Indiana Dunes on another day.

If rescheduling does not work with your travel plans, we offer free cancellations with a full refund for reservations affected by severe or unsafe weather.

Light rain or passing showers do not typically affect riding conditions in the park. Our goal is to ensure every rider has a safe and memorable day exploring the dunes.

Our bikes are professionally maintained and inspected before each rental to ensure a safe and smooth ride.

If you experience a mechanical issue, please contact Bike the Dunes immediately so we can assist you. Depending on the situation, we may be able to provide troubleshooting guidance, arrange a replacement bike if available, or offer another reasonable solution.

Our team will always work to make things right so you can get back to enjoying your ride through the Indiana Dunes.

Yes. Riders are responsible for the safe use and care of the bicycle and equipment during the rental period.

At the time of rental, we place a credit card hold (not a charge) as a security deposit. This hold is released after the bike and equipment are returned and inspected.

Each bike includes a lock, and renters are required to secure the bike to a bike rack or stationary object whenever it is unattended. If a bicycle is stolen, please notify Bike the Dunes immediately and file a police report. If these steps are followed, your responsibility will generally be limited to the amount of the credit card hold.

If damage occurs during the rental, our team will assess the situation and determine any necessary repair costs. Riders may be responsible for damage beyond normal wear and tear, including damage resulting from accidents, misuse, or failure to properly secure the bike.

Our goal is simple. Ride responsibly, lock the bike when unattended, and contact us right away if something happens. We will always work with you to resolve the situation fairly so you can focus on enjoying your time exploring the Indiana Dunes.