Indiana Dunes National and State Parks Adventure
We have taken three hiking, camping, and beach adventures to Indiana Dunes National and State Parks in Northern Indiana! We have camped in the National Park, done it as a day trip from Chicago, and stayed in Michigan City (located in Indiana.) When you think of the midwest you might not think of white sandy beaches and when you think of Indiana you might not think of epic hiking trails but I encourage you to be surprised. We love the outdoor energy of Indiana Dunes National and State Parks and in this article I share some of our favorite spots from the area!
If you are interested in learning more about the outdoor adventures and experiences available at Indiana Dunes check out this article as we share our favorite memories from our trips.
Indiana Dunes National Park is one of the newest US National Parks (it was previously a National Lakeshore.) And intertwined with the National Park are towns (to name a few Beverly Shores, Michigan City, and Gary/Chicago are very close) and the state park. They have different entrance fees, campgrounds, park management, hiking trails, and access points to Lake Michigan! I’ve found this to be one of the most dog friendly National Parks. In our most recent visit in October our pooch could go on almost all of the trails. Not only are dogs allowed but the trails are very friendly to the feet. They are sandy with small grades or well worn “midwest dirt paths.” Just to the North is Chicago and just to the North the other way is Southwest Michigan. Indiana Dunes is a hidden treasure most National Park bucket listers probably utilize as a quick swing in but I love going for a few days!
The 3 Dune Challenge Sticker is available at the nature center for purchase. But only after you finish the trail :)!
Things to know about visiting Indiana Dunes National and State Parks:
Lake Michigan is CROWDED in the summer and COLD in the winter. I personally love a shoulder season visit but it might prevent you from a total submersion into the great lake unless you are planning on a polar plunge.
There are dozens of beaches, trails, and campgrounds but the National Park isn’t concentrated in one place. The state park is more of what you would expect if that’s what you’re used to. The entrance, campgrounds, beaches, and trails are all in one spot.
There are tons of other great nearby options for exploring Lake Michigan. While this is my favorite spot it certainly isn’t the only one in Northern Indiana and SW Michigan worth visiting.
It was our first night tent camping with our dog Cotopaxi. He was still a baby and not all dogs enjoy the tent camping experience. We were camping at Dunewood Campground in the National Park and Jill and I put up our tent with his crate inside of it. We waited to see how he would act. He immediately jumped inside the tent when we unzipped it and he’s camped dozens of nights since in this tent and lived in a van for over six months.
But Indiana Dunes is where it all started and where we’ll always remember waiting to see if he would enjoy the tent camping experience. We’re so glad he did, and still does :)!
Check out our favorites from the area below and go make your memories here when you’re able!
#RuddsOnTheRoad Indiana Dunes Faves
Hikes: Cowles Bog (National Park), 3 Dune Challenge (State Park), Miller Woods (National Park), Marsh Boardwalk, and Dune Succession. Don’t forget your free sticker if you complete the 3 dune challenge. The distance is short (1.5 miles) but the elevation is 550 feet.
Beaches: All of them LOL! But seriously…there are miles and miles of Lake Michigan beaches in both the National and State Park. We also have gone to Warren Dunes State Park and Benton Harbor for additional Lake Michigan waterfront hang time.
Stay: We have stayed at the Dunewood Campground in the National Park, the campground in the State Park, and then there is a variety of hotels, motels, airbnb’s, and vrbo’s all along and near the waterfront.
Eat: WOW. Some outstanding spots to munch down at. Our favorites are The Goblin (Beverly Shores), Up N Smoke (Michigan City), Zorn (Michigan City), Mason Jar Cafe (Benton Harbor), and Farmette (New Buffalo.) The Goblin is one of my five favorite restaurants in the US. We could NEVER eat at all the wonderful places in the area but we’ve been fortunate to try some and these are our favorites.
What else?
There’s a supper club and haunted mansion in Michigan City, Beverly Shores has old exhibits from the World’s Fair of 1933, Chicago is just an hour away, and Lake Michigan offers kayaking, boating, incredible bird watching, and dozens of more adventures as you crawl your way up the SW Michigan City. Just make sure you do it slowly…or you might miss something spectacular!
We’re always coming and going near this area of the country. (I grew up in Cincinnati and we have lived in Columbus Ohio and Traverse City Michigan. Even one of my best friends grew up in Gary Indiana right up the road from the National Park.)
The Great Lakes is a different kind of beach and ocean vibe. But because it can be cold and many have decided Indiana and Michigan is NOT where they’ll be spending a beach or hiking trip we find a wide open splendor.
The food is amazing, the hiking pristine, it’s dog friendly, accessible, affordable, and the great lakes are something that can quietly grow on you. The miles of wide open and stunning coastline are mesmerizing and calming.
Many call this area “Michiana” and I call it that (it’s a super clever state combo name) but also I like to call it one of our favorite places in the lower 48 to adventure. So the next time you’re thinking of a beach and hiking trip don’t sleep on the opportunity to visit Indiana Dunes National and State Parks and the area of Michiana!
Comment if you have any questions that we can help you with in planning your adventure there!
Because Adventure Feeds the Soul,
Mike R