"The Dunes" Indiana Dunes State Park by sambarnett

Indiana Dunes State Park Travel Guide: 33 reviews and 85 photos

Beach house and Mount Tom - Indiana Dunes State Park

Located at the heart of Indiana's Lake Michigan shoreline, the Indiana Dunes State Park, features over 2000 acres of black oak forest, wetlands and sand dunes. Its establishment in 1925 represented an initial, if limited, victory for preservations over the industrialists, who sought to have mills and factories on the entire lakefront.
Inside the park is a 1530 acre nature preserve, protecting a landscape where Dr. Henry Cowles did his landmark studies in the early twentieth century. These studies on succession led to the birth of the science of ecology.

Sand blowout and tree graveyard

More than 16 miles of trails wind their way through the park, making this the place for some of the best hiking in Northern Indiana. Most people never venture far on the trails, so even when the beach is at its busiest it is still possible to commune with nature without feeling crowded.

Please look under the "must see activities" link for a complete listing of the trails.

Mt Jackson summit

The Indiana Dunes State Park is the center of Indiana's lake Michigan shoreline. Many other parks surround it.
For more information on the Indiana Dunes and shoreline, visit some of my other pages here on VT (coming soon... I do work for a living.):
From west to east:
Whiting - Whihala Beach
Griffith - Hoosier Prairie*
Gary - Miller, Marquette Park
Portage - West Beach*, Inland Marsh*
Porter - Cowles Bog*, Bailly-Chellberg farm*, Porter Beach*
Beverly Shores - Kemil Beach*, Lakeview Beach*, Central Beach*
Michigan City - Mount Baldy*, Washington Park

* denotes parts of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, managed by the National Park System (NPS)

Intro Updated Jul 4, 2003
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Reviews (8)

Respect Local Customs (1)

Don't litter on my Dunes. And if I catch you drinking beer at the beach you better give me one. more travel advice

Revolution Off The Beaten Path (2)

A minor battle of the American Revolutionary War took place here in the Dunes. A marker, erected by the Indiana branch... more travel advice

Fallen oak tree - Indiana Dunes State Park

Hiking in the Indiana Dunes State Park Things to Do (1)

Be sure to stop at the park office for a system map. Trail 2 - An easy 3 mile trail that also is used for cross-country... more travel advice

Beach house in winter - Indiana Dunes State Park

The Dunes Favorites (1)

Though most visitors come here for sun and swimming, the main focus of the Indiana Dunes State Park is preservation of a... more travel advice

Transportation (1)
Shore Shore line
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Travelogues (2)

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Comments (10)

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auntveets Mar 3, 2008 at 10:15 AM

Yes, the view from the H20 tower is outstanding, day, night, any season; however, public access has been stopped; noted in 2007. Likely for safety, due to the abuses of those who do not respect & appreciate God's gift to my dreaming terra-firma neighbors.
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Stephen-KarenConn Apr 9, 2004 at 1:48 PM

Hi Sam, Karen and I thought the Indiana Dunes were a special place too, when we visited their a couple of years ago. Great pics and tips. Thanks for the memories. Stephen
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seratonin Jun 9, 2003 at 7:35 AM

A very nice page, picturesque winter pictures!
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zrim May 14, 2003 at 12:37 PM

Nice job showing the progression of the seasons in the travelogue, I like it.
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janiac May 7, 2003 at 12:02 PM

informative, interesting page
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BabciaMaine Apr 4, 2003 at 5:41 AM

Nice commentary and interesting photos. Another place I now want to see.
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b1bob Mar 5, 2003 at 5:59 PM

Nice job from the authority on the area!
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yooperprof Jan 4, 2003 at 4:05 PM

Thanks for the tips. I've lived close to the Indiana Dunes almost all my life and have never visited.
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bokononist Nov 3, 2002 at 9:05 PM

very nice - a great day trip from Milwaukee or Chicago. Too bad about those power plants and steel mills dotting the horizon though.
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matcrazy1 Sep 30, 2002 at 2:57 AM

I've just discovered new place to visit, thank you. Great nature: dunes, lake, forests, and it doesn't look over-crowded :-).