Indiana Dunes National Park

With more than 15,000 acres — including 15 miles of southern Lake Michigan shoreline — Indiana Dunes National Park features more than 50 miles of trails, which intersect rugged dunes, sundrenched prairies, bird-populated wetlands, snaking rivers and serene forests.

Brimming with four seasons of picturesque to-dos, each rewarding in its own way, visitors can not only hike, but also build sandcastles, camp, fish, birdwatch and go horseback riding amid spectacular foliage. And when the weather turns cold? There’s always snowshoeing, sledding and crosscountry skiing.

The Flora And Fauna

Situated within several ecological transition zones, “The Dunes” pack a punch, ranking fourth in biological diversity among the country’s national parks. Here, some species of which flourish on account of past climatic changes. All told, there are 46 species of mammals, 18 species of amphibians, 23 species of reptiles, 71 species of fish, 60 butterfly species (including the endangered Karner blue butterfly), 350 species of birds — many migratory — and 60 species of damselflies and dragonflies.

From coyotes to white-tail deer and a great blue heron rookery, opportunities for wildlife-spotting are at every turn.

Shaped by glacial effects and changing weather patterns, the park is a haven for 1,130 native vascular plants, too, among them the federally threatened Pitcher’s thistle. Home to 30% of Indiana’s listed rare, threatened, endangered and of-special-concern plant species, the dunes landscape contains flora common to eastern deciduous forests, remnants of boreal forests, wetlands, tallgrass prairies and species typically seen along the Atlantic coast.

The Weather

With weather that’s significantly affected by Lake Michigan, the conditions at Indiana Dunes can quickly change. Typical, though, are sunny, hot, humid summers that usually cap around the mid-80s F. Pleasant, dry weather arrives on account of fronts that descend from Canada.

On the other hand, winters tend to be cloudy and in the mid 30s F, dipping into the low 20s F — even below 0 F — an average of 15 days each year. During periods of extreme cold, skies tend to be clear.

Be sure to check the park’s website for weather and water conditions.

THE HIKES, DRIVES AND VIEWPOINTS

Cowles Bog Trail

Featuring a staggering array of plant diversity, the 4.3-mile, lollipop-shaped Cowles Bog Trail journeys along a moderately challenging route through wetlands, savanna and dunes, as well as along the shores of Lake Michigan. A chance to marvel at several distinct habitats — ponds, marshes, swamps, black oak savannas and beaches — you can expect plenty of steep, sandy climbs.

WEST BEACH - DUNE SUCCESSIONAL TRAIL

Explore four stages of dune development on the 1.1-mile West Beach - Dune Succession Trail, starting at the beach and ending at the boardwalk, which takes you through a forest rising from the sand.

The 3 Dune Challenge

Those seeking a more challenging hike head to nearby Indiana Dunes State Park, where the 3 Dune Challenge offers a 1.5-mile workout. Beginning at the nature center, it features 552 vertical feet to climb. The reward? Breathtaking views from the summit.

LITTLE CALUMET RIVER & MONKE PRAIRIE TRAIL

The 3.9-mile Little Calumet River and Monke Prairie Trail offers a lovely introduction to the park’s biodiversity, traveling through many habitats and affording opportunities to relax at the beach. Connecting Bailly Homestead, Chellberg Farm and the Dunes Learning Center, it passes through the tranquil Mnoke Prairie, skirts the Little Calumet River valley, and follows a boardwalk through wet bottomlands before ascending into a hardwood forest and pine plantation.

Mount Baldy Beach Trail

Short with a steep trip down the largest living dune in the national park, the somewhat strenuous, .9-mile Mount Baldy Beach Trail brings you to the shimmering waterfront.

EAST DUNES HIGHWAY/LAKE

MICHIGAN SHORELINE SCENIC DRIVE

Interchangeably called the East Dunes Highway and the Lake Michigan Shoreline Scenic Drive this journey takes you through picturesque landscapes, industrial areas and a breathtaking beach vista within the national park. From Gary traveling east, you’ll eventually reach Indiana Dunes National Park on a route that continues well beyond, as the entirety of U.S. Route 12 is 2,484 miles long.

About The Park

LOCATION

Northwest Indiana

ESTABLISHED

February 15, 2019

AREA

15,349 acres