Indiana Dunes

Located: Indiana  -  Established: February 15, 2019

The Park: Steve Rossi, the Park Ranger we met at the Visitor Center, explained to us the history of the creation of this park. Steven Mather, the National Park Service’s first Director was in favor of getting the Indiana Dunes area into the park system as early as 1916. Then WWI broke out. Next came the Depression. The final calamity was WWII.

During WWII, the Port of Indiana, located along the southern shore of Lake Michigan, was the “only seaport out of reach from the enemy!” Hence, that’s where steel mills set up camp. The mills build ships and such for the war effort that couldn’t be reached by the Germans, Japanese or any other invading forces.

After years of waiting, Indiana Dunes became an official National Park on February 25, 2019. Amongst the remnants of the steel mills, Indiana Dunes State Park consists of 15,000 acres of dunes, swamps (Everglades of the North), beaches, marshy wetlands and a wide variety of biodiversity intermingled amongst remnants of the industrial revolution.

At the eastern reaches of the park you’ll find Mt. Baldy, the park’s highest dune from which you get a clear view of a power plant that reminded us of Chernobyl!

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When to Visit: The park is open year round; however, the Visitor Centers are closed during most major holidays. High season is during the summer months when the park’s beaches are most popular.

Lodging: This urban park is dispersed between Gary, Michigan City and Chesterton, IN. There are many hotel facilities available in the region. Camping: Dunewood Campground situated in the park features 66 campsites with modern restroom facilities. Indiana Dunes State Park, which is located adjacent to the National Park has 150 campsites.

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What to do: Beach activities top the list of things to do at Indiana Dunes NP during the summer months with over 9 beach locations to choose from. In addition, there are 50 miles of hiking trails with 14 distinct trail systems dispersed throughout the park.

Terry and I explored the West Beach Trails. The three loops of this trail system takes you on a 3.4-mile trek by Long Lake, which looked very much like the “Everglades of the North.” Then up a 270-step staircase built upon the dunes, providing great views of Lake Michigan and the city of Chicago and finally down to the shoreline beaches of Lake Michigan.

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The Great Marsh Trail is a 1.3-mile lollypop loop that treats you to the largest interdunal wetland in the Lake Michigan watershed. The trail’s Observation Deck provides the opportunity to spot a wide verity of birds including Great Blue Herons and Sandhill Cranes.

In addition to hiking, there’s also an interconnected bike trail system that spans 37 miles throughout the park. Most of the bike trails are paved and relatively flat. Horseback riding, birding, kayaking Lake Michigan and exploring the biologically diverse park are other popular activities.

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Experience these Check List:

  • Visit the Indiana Dunes Visitor Centers

  • Explore Mt. Baldy’s trails and dunes

  • Swim the waters of Lake Michigan (in the summer!)

  • Hike the West Beach Loops

  • Take the tour of Pinhook Bog

  • Enjoy Heron Rookery’s ephermerals along the banks of the Little Calumet River.