Indiana Dunes in November: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
Shoulder · VisitWhen score 71/100 · #6 of 12 months
November is a quiet month with trade-offs at Indiana Dunes National Park: crowds run 23% of the July peak (115,522 average visits). Weather: highs average 49°F and lows 34°F, with 2.8″ of precipitation and 9.9 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.
Bring for Indiana Dunes in November
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy)See it on AmazonWhy: mornings average 34°F.
- Packable rain jacketSee it on AmazonWhy: 2.8″ of precipitation is normal this month.
- HeadlampSee it on AmazonWhy: only 9.9 hours of daylight in mid-November.
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Crowds in November
Indiana Dunes averages 115,522 recreation visits in November — 23% of what July, the peak month, draws. Trailheads and parking fill accordingly — crowds are thin by this park's standards.
Weather & daylight
Days are cool (highs average 49°F), and mornings are chilly (lows average 34°F). Average precipitation is 2.8″ for the month. Mid-month daylight runs 9.9 hours.
NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station INDIANA DUNES NL, IN US (1 mi from park coordinates, 680 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of November.
What to pack for Indiana Dunes in November
Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy) — mornings average 34°F
- Packable rain jacket — 2.8″ of precipitation is normal this month
- Headlamp — only 9.9 hours of daylight in mid-November (compare other options)
- Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
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If your dates are flexible, consider shifting: The computed best months for Indiana Dunes are March and April.
Also at their best in November
Other parks whose computed November verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:
- Canyonlands in November — 35% of peak crowds, highs 55°F, score 72/100
- Mammoth Cave in November — 33% of peak crowds, highs 61°F, score 72/100
- New River Gorge in November — 33% of peak crowds, highs 54°F, score 72/100
- Petrified Forest in November — 45% of peak crowds, highs 58°F, score 72/100
Common questions
Is Indiana Dunes crowded in November?
No — November is one of the quieter months: 23% of the July peak, averaging 115,522 visits (NPS, 2021–2025).
What is the weather like in Indiana Dunes in November?
Average highs of 49°F, lows of 34°F, 2.8″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, INDIANA DUNES NL, IN US station).
What should I pack for Indiana Dunes in November?
Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy); Packable rain jacket; Headlamp — the full weather-computed list is on this page.
See also: the best national parks to visit in November · Last verified 2026-09-24