Meet America's New National Park
For nearly a century, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore has been a destination for public enjoyment as well as home to a valuable ecosystem along the shores of Lake Michigan. But it wasn’t until earlier this year that the area, now known as Indiana Dunes National Park, became officially recognized the country’s 61st National Park—a designation that now makes it the 14th most visited in the country. Less than an hour drive from Chicago and approximately two and a half hours from Indianapolis, the dunes are the perfect summer destination whether it’s an impromptu day trip or a weeklong getaway.
Spanning 15,000 acres of beaches, marshes, prairies, and woods, the park’s main attraction is the soaring, sandy dunes and thousands of acres of hiking trails that visitors can experience the beauty of year round. During the winter months, cross-country skiing, sledding, snow tubing, and snowshoeing draw folks in for outdoor fun in the cold. With approximately 50 miles of trails to explore, hiking is popular across the seasons but it is after the snow melts when the towering dunes—some as high as 200 feet—come alive along with sunny beaches, stunning sunsets, and plenty of activities from camping and fishing to horseback riding and kayaking.
The park encompasses a total of eight beaches across 15 miles though only one, West Beach, offers lifeguards and showers. One of the most visited destinations, West Beach is perfect for relaxing or hiking, offering spectacular views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan at the top of its dune. It is also the only beach that charges for parking ($6 per car) while parking at the other beaches is free. Parking at the more popular spots, however, tends to fill up by mid-morning so plan to arrive early or leave your visit until late afternoon when the majority of beach-goers turn in for the day. A free, wheelchair accessible “Dune Buggy” beach shuttle ride is also available to park visitors, running every 20-30 minutes on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer making it easy to hop between select campgrounds, beaches, parks, visitors centers, and the like. For more leisurely activities visitors can check out local wineries.
Beyond the actual dunes, there’s plenty to do and options for overnight accommodations in the surrounding areas outside of the park.
Popular eateries include Octave Grill (137 S. Calumet Road, Chesterton, octavegrill.com) where burgers are made with grass-fed beef and served alongside tasty sweet potato tots or Wagner’s Ribs (361 Wagner Road, Porter, wagnersribs.com) where fall-off-the-bone, award-winning ribs keep customers coming back time and time again.
Chesterton’s European Market is a free, outdoor family-friendly artisanal market held every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning in May and running through the end of October, as does the Valparaiso Market that runs every Tuesday and Saturday and opens June 1. During the summer months, festivals and special events abound.
Free outdoor movies are shown every Friday night in June in Portage’s Founders Square Park and on every Tuesday night in Valparaiso’s Central Park Plaza in June and July. Information for Shakespeare in the Park performances, concert series, stargazing events, and more organized fun can be found online at www.indianadunes.com.
Leslie A. Bailey is a freelance writer living in Indianapolis, Indiana.
