Guidelines have changed. Flights are now permitted from the second Saturday in September through April 30. The complete guidelines are outline in Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore's Superintendent's Compendium

Obtain a hang-gliding and para-gliding permit at the Bailly Ranger Station during normal business hours. The Bailly Ranger Station is located at 1100 N. Mineral Springs Rd., Porter IN 46304, 219-926-7561.

USHPA certification card is required before a permit can be issued.

Smelt Season Fire Permit

To make a fire while smelting during the smelt season, obtain a required smelt season fire permit at the Bailly Ranger Station during normal business hours. The Bailly Ranger Station is located at 1100 N. Mineral Springs Rd., Porter, IN 46304, 219-926-7561.

The smelting rules are:

• Closure hours are waived only for those actively engaged in smelt fishing.
• Vehicles must be parked in designated areas only.
• Wood gathering is prohibited.
• Fires are permitted in "approved containers" [see Section 2.13 for description] only. No ground fires are permitted. Warming fires are permitted only on the beach between the lake and the toe of the first dune. Warming fires shall not be placed within ten feet of flammable materials. 
• All trash, fire remains, and entrails must be carried out.
• A Smelt Season Fire Permit must be in the subject's possession while smelt fishing.
• All State fishing laws are applicable.

The areas where smelting can be done are:

• Miller Woods Beach west of Lake Street (Gary, Indiana);
• Ogden Dunes Beach;
• Bailly Beach;
• Porter Beach; and
• NPS beach areas from Kemil Beach, east to Lakeshore County Road, and associated NPS parking lots.