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Sand and Sun around the state INDIANA BEACHES

By Cathy Shouse

Summer usually means vacations, but getting the message that we ought to stay closer to home this year doesn’t need to be a deal breaker. If you’re looking for a beach getaway, Indiana has some excellent options. No airplane reservations needed. Not even a hotel room, unless you want one. Who knows? Maybe changing it up and taking a few smaller excursions will be just the ticket. We’ve rounded up some potential destinations for you.

For the most up to date information, visit https://www.nps.gov/indu/status.htm

The Indiana Dunes

The Indiana Dunes and surrounding areas are worth a look—and maybe even multiple trips. At around two-and-a-half hours driving time from Fort Wayne, you can hit the road early and make a day trip of it. In February 2019, the name changed to Indiana Dunes National Park, upgrading it to national park status, and 2,124,285 visitors came that year.

Communications Director Michelle Senderhauf said the vast areas to explore can take some sorting out, since there is also the Indiana Dunes State Park in the area, which has 16 miles of trails, including 552 vertical feet to climb. We’ve got a beach parking information hotline (phone: 219-395-1003) and recommend calling ahead because the lots can fill to capacity at peak times. The State Park entry fee is $7 for in-state vehicles, but everything is free in the National Park except for West Beach, which costs $6 per vehicle. West Beach may be worth the price because it has beaches and trails to hike and also a huge parking lot of approximately 600 parking spaces, which almost never fills up.”

Shorter trips deserve as much planning as longer ones, since time is at a premium. Think of heading to the Dunes like going to Disney, only you’re potentially seeing 1,960 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and vascular plants, instead of Mickey Mouse and friends. Bring along a cooler and eat outdoors at one of the many picnic tables. Take a reading break on the sand under your beach umbrella. Tuck in a Frisbee, your canvas chairs, and a ball and mitt. Or arrange to kayak, just be aware of your skill level and don’t choose a water trail that feeds out into Lake Michigan where tides can rise unexpectedly.

“It’s not for a beginner,” Senderhauf warned about Lake Michigan. “Remember we have great local parks, too, like Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve in Chesterton.”

Or head up north to Canoe Country in Daleville where they’ll put you in a canoe in White River and pick you up. Sometimes shade and water views are a great alternative to sand. “It’s just relaxing,” said Matt Rust at the Anderson Madison County Visitors Bureau. “That’s what’s great about it. You can do different trips, depending on how much time you have.” Dunes National Park 101

Indianadunes.com or call visitor’s center: 219-395-1003

• 15,349 acres (2019). • 15 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. • 50 miles of hiking trails. • 37 miles of multi-use biking trails. • 6.8 miles of equestrian trails. a

Other Beach Options

Brookville Lake/Whitewater Memorial State Park, Brookville

• Deam Lake State Recreation Area, Borden • Indiana Beach, Monticello • Miller Beach, Gary • Morse Park and Beach, Noblesville • Oakwood Park, Lake Wawasee • Pike Lake and Center Lake, Warsaw • Pine Lake, Berne • Pokagon State Park, Angola • Summit Lake State Park, New Castle • Washington Park, Michigan City

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