Indiana Dunes National Park

🌲 Park Overview

Welcome to Indiana Dunes National Park—63 miles from Chicago yet worlds away—where towering sand dunes, rare oak savannas, and sparkling Lake Michigan shoreline collide. This Midwestern gem packs 15,000 acres of biodiversity into a slender lakeshore strip, offering beach days, bird migrations, and surprisingly rugged hikes. Whether you’re sunbathing, snowshoeing, or hunting spring wildflowers, the Dunes deliver year-round adventures for city-escape families, naturalists, and weekend wanderers.

🌟 Fun Facts

Became America’s 61st national park in 2019 (formerly National Lakeshore).

Features over 1,100 native plant species—more per acre than any other U.S. national park.

The tallest dune, Mount Baldy, rises 126 ft and actually “walks” inland a few inches each year.

Lake Michigan’s “singing sands” squeak beneath bare feet thanks to quartz grain friction.

📅 Best Time to Visit

Spring (Apr–May): Wildflower blooms, peak bird migration, mild temps.

Summer (Jun–Aug): Beach season! Warm water (by Midwest standards), festivals, largest crowds.

Fall (Sep–Oct): Fiery dune grasses & maple forests, monarch migration over the lake, thinner crowds.

Winter (Nov–Mar): Snow-dusted dunes, shelf ice formations, cross-country skiing trails—quiet & magical.

🎯 Things to Do

Families: Beach day at West Beach, boardwalk to Dune Succession Trail, Junior Ranger badge.

Adventure-Seekers: 3-Dune Challenge at Indiana Dunes State Park, paddleboard the shoreline, fat-tire bike Glenwood Dunes.

Photographers: Sunrise silhouette of Chicago skyline, golden hour atop Mount Tom, ice shelf abstracts in winter.

Chill-Travelers: Scenic Calumet Trail bike, picnic at Kemil Beach, bird-watch from Great Marsh observation deck.

🥾 Top Hikes & Photo Spots

Dune Succession Trail (West Beach, 0.9 mi loop): Climb 250 stairs for 360° Lake Michigan views.

Three Dune Challenge (1.5 mi): Summit 3 tallest dunes (552 ft total elevation) quick but sandy workout.

Cowles Bog Trail (4.3 mi loop): UNESCO-honored wetland to secluded beach—botany heaven.

Mount Baldy Beach (0.75 mi RT): Ranger-led hikes onto roaming dune (check schedule), photogenic shoreline.

👨‍👩‍👧 Kid-Friendly Activities

Junior Ranger Program at Paul H. Douglas Center & Visitor Center.

Nature Play Zone near Douglas Center—logs, sand, water for free play.

Porter Beach splash time with gentle waves and lifeguards (summer).

♿ Accessibility Notes

Portage Lakefront & Riverwalk has paved pier, beach mats (summer), and ADA restrooms.

West Beach boardwalk offers accessible dune & lake overlooks.

Beach wheelchairs available by reservation (seasonal).

🗓️ Itinerary Ideas

1-Day Lakeshore Sampler: Morning 3-Dune Challenge → Picnic at West Beach → Afternoon Cowles Bog wetland stroll → Sunset at Mount Baldy overlook.

3-Day Escape: Day 1 dunes & beach; Day 2 bike Calumet Trail + marsh birding; Day 3 kayak Burns Waterway & explore nearby breweries in Chesterton/Valparaiso.

Family Version: Nature Play Zone morning, West Beach swim, Junior Ranger booklet, evening s’mores at Dunewood Campground.

🧳 Planning Tips

Lodging: Dunewood Campground (May–Oct), hotels/B&Bs in Chesterton, Michigan City, or Gary.

Food: Pack beach picnics; local farm-to-table cafés and ice cream shops in Chesterton.

Permits: Entry fee per vehicle; special use permits for events, paddling groups.

Transportation: South Shore Line train from Chicago stops at park; car offers easiest beach hopping.

🚧 Permits & Rules

Swimming only at designated beaches with lifeguards in season.

Stay off closed dune slopes—fragile & shifting.

Pets allowed on many trails/beaches (check zones) on 6-ft leash.

🌄 Compare This Park With

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (MI): Larger dunescape & high bluffs.

Cape Cod National Seashore (MA): Atlantic beaches + dune ecosystems, different coast vibe.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park (OH): Midwest greenway vs. lakeshore; both near cities.

🔗 Internal Links

Blog: “Sand, Surf & Skyline—Minimalist Weekend at Indiana Dunes.”

Printable: “Indiana Dunes Beach Bingo & 3-Dune Tracker.” (placeholder)

📥 Printable Downloads (placeholder)

Beach Day Checklist

Birding Migration Calendar

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