Marquette Park
Gary's most celebrated lakefront park — at the southernmost point of Lake Michigan.
Marquette Park is a 241-acre municipal park completely surrounded by Indiana Dunes National Park, nestled in the heart of Miller Beach. Beaches, trails, historic landmarks, aviation memorials, a playground, and disc golf — all at the southernmost point of Lake Michigan. It's the kind of place that rewards every kind of visitor, whether you come for the water, the history, or just to watch the Chicago skyline shimmer across the lake.
Things to Do
Swimming at the Beach
Marquette Park Beach stretches 2.5 miles of natural sand along the southernmost point of Lake Michigan, with seasonal lifeguards on duty in it’s central area. On clear days the Chicago skyline shimmers across the water. Dogs welcome on leash.
Kayaking & Paddleboarding
Marquette Park is home to an accessible ADA friendly kayak launch on the Calumet Lagoon. Launch your kayak or paddleboard and paddle out to open Lake Michigan with panoramic views of the Chicago skyline and the Indiana Dunes shoreline. [View on Google Maps →]
Trails & Biking
The paved 1.5 mile Marquette Park Loop circles the park with gorgeous views of Lake Michigan and indigenous oak savanna habitat, passing the kayak lagoon, the historic Aquatorium and Pavilion, the lakefront playground, and the disc golf course. Connects to the Chanute Trail, the Lake Street Bike Path, and the 60-mile Marquette Greenway regional trail system. [See all Trails →]
Disc Golf
A free public disc golf course is open year round in the park — no equipment rental on site, bring your own discs. [View on Google Maps →]
Marquette Park is a uniquely beautiful public park located on Lake Michigan's coastline. Watch the video to learn more about the activities and city amenities available at this stunning park.
[Watch the video →]
Marquette Park Amenities
Playground A lakefront playground with a pirate ship centerpiece and separate zones for younger and older children. One of the best playgrounds on the Lake Michigan shore, steps from the beach.
Picnic Areas Picnic shelters and tables are available throughout the park, with views of Lake Michigan and the oak savanna. Perfect for family gatherings, group outings, and post-beach meals.
Concession Stand A seasonal concession stand operates in the park. Hours and availability vary — we recommend checking ahead before planning your visit around it.
Father Marquette Memorial
A statue and memorial garden honoring Jacques Marquette, the 17th century French Jesuit missionary and explorer for whom the park is named. He camped in Marquette Park with his Miami guides during his explorations of the Great Lakes region. The memorial features a large scale sculpture of Father Marquette by American sculpture Henry Hering. It is landscaped with plants and shrubs native to the Indiana Dunes. Located at the main Marquette Park Gary park entrance.
Octave Chanute Memorial
On June 22, 1896, French-American civil engineer Octave Chanute arrived at Miller Beach and conducted over 700 successful gliding flights from the high dunes just west of this site. Locals nicknamed him "the crazy old man of the sand dunes." His designs and aerodynamic data directly enabled the Wright Brothers to achieve powered flight at Kitty Hawk in 1903 — he was the first person they contacted after their historic success. Inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1963, Chanute is known as the Grandfather of Flight. His memorial features a statue pointing toward the dune where he flew and a large scale model airplane. Located at the Gary Aquatorium.
Tuskegee Airmen Memorial
Gary has a proud and documented connection to the Tuskegee Airmen — the pioneering African American military pilots who flew in World War II and spearheaded the integration of the US Armed Forces. Louis U. Murray of Gary graduated from the Tuskegee Flight School in 1945. Quentin P. Smith, a Gary Tuskegee Airman, returned home to serve as the first principal of West Side High School, a Gary City Councilman, and the founder of the Gary Emerson School for Visual and Performing Arts. Gary/Chicago International Airport bears his name. The memorial features large scale model airplanes and history plaques. Located at the Gary Aquatorium.
Historic Landmarks & Venues
The Aquatorium — National Register of Historic Places
Built in 1921 and designed by renowned Chicago architect George Washington Maher, the Aquatorium is one of the earliest examples of pre-cast concrete modular construction in American architecture — ninety percent of the building uses only six basic cast blocks, a precursor to the modern concrete block. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and registered as a National Landmark of Soaring, it houses a replica of Chanute's hang glider and honors the Tuskegee Airmen. Available for private event rental. [Visit aquatorium.org →] | 219-938-1986
The Marquette Pavilion
Built in 1924 in Prairie style and Italian Renaissance style, the Marquette Pavilion has hosted a century of weddings, proms, and civic celebrations against the backdrop of Lake Michigan. and the Calumet Lagoon. One of Miller Beach's most beloved landmarks, it remains one of the finest event venues on the south shore. Available for private event rental. [Visit marquetteparkgary.org →] | 219-938-7362
Gary Air Show — August 21-23, 2026
Every summer the skies above Marquette Park come alive for the Gary Air Show — one of the midwest's premier aviation events, held on the very dunes where Octave Chanute made aviation history in 1896. The 2026 show is headlined by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team. Free to attend.
Plan Your Visit
Getting Here Take the South Shore Line to Miller Station and ride or walk 1.5 miles north on the Lake Street Bike Path to the park. By car take I-90 to the Ripley exit, head north on Highway 12/20, turn right on Lake Street, then left on Oak Avenue.
Parking Paid via downloadable mobile app. Managed by the City of Gary, open seasonally.
Event Rentals
Aquatorium: aquatorium.org
Marquette Pavilion: marquetteparkgary.org
Outdoor picnic pavilion rentals: marquetteparkgary.org
Help Keep Marquette Park Beautiful
Marquette Park's lakefront gardens and walking trails are maintained by the City of Gary Park District with the dedicated support of local volunteer groups — the Friends of Marquette Park, the Miller Garden Club, and the Miller Playground Committee. Their work keeps this park looking its best for everyone who visits.
Please help by using the City of Gary trash receptacles located throughout the park. Pack out what you pack in, and leave the beach and trails as beautiful as you found them.
Dogs are welcome in Marquette Park and on the beach — please keep them on leash at all times and clean up after them. Waste bags and receptacles are available throughout the park.
-
Marquette Park is a 241-acre municipal lakefront park in Miller Beach, Gary, Indiana, completely surrounded by Indiana Dunes National Park. It features 1.4 miles of Lake Michigan beach, the historic Aquatorium and Marquette Pavilion, aviation memorials, a disc golf course, a playground, kayak access, and is the site of the annual Gary Air Show. It sits at the southernmost point of Lake Michigan. Name for French explorer Father Marquette who stopped her in 1675 while exploring the Great Lakes.
-
Marquette Park sits at the southernmost point of Lake Michigan — a distinction that makes it one of the most geographically unique lakefront parks in America. The lake's natural southern curve creates the crescent-shaped shoreline that defines the park's landscape. Standing on Marquette Park Beach you are at the southernmost shore of the largest system of freshwater lakes on earth.
-
Yes — Marquette Park is free to enter. Paid parking applies seasonally in the lakefront lots. The disc golf course and beach are free.
-
The Aquatorium is a 1921 historic landmark building in Marquette Park designed by Chicago architect George Washington Maher. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and registered as a National Landmark of Soaring, it honors Octave Chanute and the Tuskegee Airmen.
-
Octave Chanute was a French-American civil engineer who conducted over 700 successful gliding experiments in the dunes at Miller Beach in 1896. His designs and data directly enabled the Wright Brothers' powered flight at Kitty Hawk in 1903. Known as the Grandfather of Flight, he was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1963. His memorial stands in Marquette Park pointing toward the dune where he flew.
-
The Gary Air Show is a free annual air show held at Marquette Park Beach, organized by the Gary Chicago International Airport, the City of Gary, and the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority.
-
Yes — Marquette Park has an accessible ADA kayak lagoon launch on the Calumet Lagoon.
-
Yes — both the Aquatorium and Marquette Pavilion are available for private event rental. Aquatorium: aquatorium.org. Marquette Pavilion: marquetteparkgary.org
-
Yes — dogs on leash are welcome in the park and on the beach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Little bluestem turns shades of orange and rust. Here, they line a beach path in Marquette Park.
Indiana Dunes National Park Service Rangers provide programs in the park and host paddling events in the lagoon.
The ADA canoe/kayak launch allows everyone paddle in the Calumet Lagoon. There is a wheelchair accessible boardwalk and bench.
Enjoy bratwurst, coneys and the lake view at the Marquette Beach concession stand. Open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Marquette Park Pavilion has a ballroom, lounge, and memorable outdoor entertaining spaces facing the Calumet Lagoon. Rent this historic building for your special event.
Enjoy views of the lilypad from this traditional Japanese-style drum bridge, commonly known as a taikobashi. The bridge connects the mainland to Patterson Island, serving as a scenic pathway over the lagoon.
Children learn yoga in one of Marquette parks' picnic shelters.
Winter scene, over a dune on the shore of Lake Michigan. This is the shoreline west of the main parking area of the park.Winter brings intense colors of blue and white to the shore. Photo Credit: Peggy Vanhala
Rent the Gary Aquatorium for a weddings or private event. The 2nd floor overlook is open year round to the public when it isn’t being used for an event.
Winter brings intense colors of blue and white to the shore. Photo Credit: Peggy Vanhala
See where Octave Chanute did his first flying experiments, that helped the Wright Brothers! Memorial is in front of the Gary Aquatorium.
The beaches here are dog friendly (except for guarded area in summer), and great for walks year round. This is the beach area directly north of the Gary Aquatorium.
Aerial view of the Tuskegee Memorial shows Chicago skyline on the opposite Lake Michigan shore! Photo Credit: Ed Stojancevich
Being outdoors in the Indiana Dunes instills a sense of wonder and joy. Photo Credit: Chiara Young
The Calumet Lagoon and bridge in Marquette Park in Gary Indiana.
Playgrounds at Marquette Park in Gary, Indiana.
Ice Hockey on the Calumet Lagoon in Marquette Park.
Playgrounds at Marquette Park, with a view of Lake Michigan.
Launch your jet ski or small craft from Lake Street Beach. Pull into shore to enjoy the boat-in beaches of Marquette Park. Photo Credit: Tracey Peterson
Ready to launch into the Calumet Lagoon? This accessible launch as pull in bars allowing paddlers to pull themselves and their watercraft into the lagoon easily. Photo Credit: Ande Fonseca
Unlimited family fun on natural Lake Michigan beaches. Parents and kids love the shallow waters and sand bars.
Kayaking on the Calumet Lagoon in Marquette Park.
Hike and bike to your hearts content in Marquette Park. These bikers are near the Pavilion overlooking Calumet Lagoon. Photo Credit: Tom Cera
Bring your chess set and pieces and play with the chess table near the Calumet Lagoon in Marquette Park.
The entrance to Marquette Park.
Steps behind the Marquette Pavilion lead down to the Calumet Lagoon waterfront.
Hiking in Marquette Park with the dunes and Lake Michigan in view. Stunning beach paths and shoreline views of the Chicago skyline.
Our disc golf course begins directly across from the lake front concession on Oak Avenue.
Where else can you play disc golf with a view of coastal dunes and Lake Michigan, plus lovely sculptures, memorials, and architecture?
Watching the weather change along the lake, is endlessly amusing while playing disc golf in Marquette Park.
Marquette Park is the perfect place to relax, and watch the annual Gary Air Show. Photo credit: Kip Wilkinson Photography
The annual Gary Air Show headlines high performance acts like the US Air Force Thunderbirds for a spectacular experience. Photo credit: Kip Wilkinson Photography
Lake Street Beach has a small craft launch that is popular with jet skis, a former Coast Guard launch in to Lake Michigan.
The bridges over theCalumet Lagoon near the kayak launch are a popular fishing spot for bass, trout, and bluegill.