View of Lake Michigan at Indiana Dunes National Park. (Patty Wetli / WTTW News)

The free ride at Indiana Dunes National Park is about to come an end.

There’s currently no entrance or parking fee to access the national park, with the exception of an amenity fee for West Beach. The National Park Service is proposing to change that and introduce an entry fee which would take effect March 31, 2022.

The new fees would provide funding for additional visitor amenities, as well as address a maintenance backlog, officials said.

A basic vehicle pass, good for seven days, would cost $25, which is less than what’s typically charged at national parks. The lower rate was chosen by the park service due to Indiana Dunes’ location near a “large, underserved population,” the agency said.

The park service is hosting a virtual public meeting Wednesday to share more information about the entry fee and also some proposed additions to the park’s campsites. Details about the meeting, scheduled for 6-8 p.m., are available online. 

Comments will be taken during the meeting. Those unable to attend can still weigh in on the proposal by submitting comments online by Oct. 1.

Contact Patty Wetli: @pattywetli | (773) 509-5623 |  [email protected]