The Porter County Tourism team, led by President and CEO of Indiana Dunes Tourism Christine Livingston, is on a mission to connect all of Porter County by celebrating its most remarkable natural landmark: the Indiana Dunes.
With 4.6 million visitors annually, the Dunes are more than a scenic attraction—they’re a powerful community and economic resource.
“'The Indiana Dunes are 15 miles of shoreline and 15,000 acres,” said Livingston. “A lot of people don't fully appreciate this amazing natural resource and all it brings to our community.”
Livingston and her team are working to amplify the Dunes' economic impact across Porter County, uniting local businesses, residents, and visitors in an appreciation of this natural treasure.
“Porter County is lucky to have such an amazing asset in our community,” said Livingston. “Connecting our community in this way is something we get excited about.”
This impact has also increased with the designation of the Dunes as a National Park.
“The National Park audience is a little bit different than a casual beach goer,” said Livingston. “They want to hike, to learn, and to explore.”
One example of how the tourism team is drawing residents and visitors alike to explore the area is through the newly launched Discovery Trail digital pass. The Discovery Trail pass guides all visitors to explore and visit unique, biodiverse attractions throughout the county.
This initiative encourages people to discover hidden gems throughout Porter County from scenic spots and historic sites to outdoor adventures that celebrate the county's unique charm. By promoting experiences beyond the Dunes, Indiana Dunes Tourism creates pathways to explore the entire county and appreciate the area’s diversity and attractions. The tourism team will even provide visitors with the tools they need to make their adventures.
“If you're visiting and you don't have everything for a natural adventure, you can check out a backpack and be your own naturalist,” said Livingston. “Visitors can get out there and look around, visit varied areas of our community, and have fun.”
The ultimate goal for the Porter County Tourism Team is to make the Dunes a county-wide point of pride, integrating them into every community and business in the Region. To do this, Indiana Dunes Tourism has formed partnerships with local businesses.
“We’re trying to help people shake off the sand south of the Dunes,” said Livingston. “This amazing natural asset, this amazing economic engine, connects both the state and national park visitors to our Porter County community.”
Such collaborations boost small businesses and foster a stronger community identity linked to the Dunes.
For example, visitors and locals alike can receive free deal passes with the Indiana Dunes Deals, Coffee and Sweet Treats Trail, and 3 Pizza Challenge.
Indiana Dunes Tourism has produced digital and video content spotlighting each community to bring even more attention to Porter County's offerings.
A recent video celebrating Portage’s mix of diversity, enterprise, and community received enthusiastic responses, and similar videos have been created for other communities. These efforts are part of a storytelling approach highlighting how each community enriches the county and strengthens its connection to the Dunes.
Livingston’s team is excited to see how these initiatives are bringing residents and visitors closer to the Dunes and each other.
Through these combined efforts, Indiana Dunes Tourism is ensuring that the Dunes belong to everyone in Porter County. The team’s goal is not only to attract visitors but to create stronger, lasting connections between the Dunes and each community.
To learn more about the Porter County Tourism team and Porter County, please visit porterco.org.