Government Shutdown Impacts Indiana Dunes

Like other national parks around the country, the government shutdown has impacted Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in northwest Indiana.

Indiana Dunes Tourism promotions director Dustin Ritchea says many programs have been cancelled.

“We are disappointed to see any type of government shutdown, especially the National Parks Service which is an integral part of the Indiana Dunes area,” says Ritchea.

Park visitor services, contact stations and maintenance are also impacted.  All of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore rangers have been furloughed, except for security staff.

Ritchea says visitors still have access to sites within the local 15,000-acre National Lakeshore.

“They have full access to its paths, the shoreline, and the Indiana Dunes Visitors Center is still actually staffed by employees of Indiana Dunes Tourism -- so we are open as well,” says Ritchea.

The Indiana Dunes Visitor Center is owned by Porter County government, and Indiana Dunes Tourism is a county department.

“The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore side is closed, but because we are still open we are able to still have our destination concierges to help visitors,” says Ritchea.

Richea says the Indiana Dunes State Park is also operational.