Indiana Dunes National Park

Thunderstorm wind is the standout hazard at Indiana Dunes, with 15 recorded events logged for Porter County — more than three times the frequency of any other weather incident in the data. These storms roll fast off Lake Michigan and can down trees and scatter gear across open campsites with little warning. Three tornado events on record mean the threat occasionally escalates beyond strong gusts.

When a storm line approaches from the lake, get out of your tent and away from the dune tree line immediately, since shallow-rooted trees on sandy soil topple more easily than in forested parks. Keep a NOAA weather radio or a cell-phone alert app active throughout your stay, not just at bedtime. Store hard-sided bins or cargo boxes in your vehicle before you sleep — loose camp furniture becomes airborne debris in high-wind events.