If you are on a quest to discover more of Indiana, Indiana Dunes National Park is a destination worth adding to your list.
This 13,000-acre preserve has more than just sandy hills. Firstly, it boasts of beautiful dunes along the pristine waters of Lake Michigan. Additionally, it offers some amazing historical sites as well as hiking trails and spots for fishing and paddling. On top of that, did you know that the dunes also offer great spots for birdwatching?
Indiana Dunes National Park is a great choice for you and your family or friends who are looking for some great outdoor fun. To help you know more about this popular Indiana destination, here are some facts worth knowing.
1. The State Park Is Still There
Before this destination was designated as a national park in 2019, it has been widely known as the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Furthermore, longtime visitors frequented the state park before to see the beach.
Its recent conversion into a national park has caused a lot of confusion among people. This motion converted the areas of protected lakeshore and the surrounding dunes to national parklands. Aside from the beautiful Lake Michigan beach, visitors can now enjoy campgrounds and ranger-guided tours at Indiana Dunes.
That said, the state park that people loved to visit is still there, along with the parking lots by the beaches. It just feels like one big park now!
2. You Can See the 1933 World’s Fair Homes In the Park
Way back in 1933, Chicago hosted the World’s Fair in celebration of the city’s centennial. With the theme being, “A Century of Progress,” model homes were constructed to showcase the houses of the future.
After this fair, these model homes were purchased and moved by a developer to a resort community on the Indiana shoreline. You can find these homes and the community they are in—Beverly Shores—inside the national park.
3. Michigan’s Beach Towns Are Just Next Door
Another interesting fact about Indiana Dunes National Park is that it is completely accessible to Michigan and its beach towns. All you have to do is to cross the state line and head up the coastline!
You can drive further and reach the beach-centric towns of Michigan in no time. You will also find New Buffalo town, which is a popular summer destination among Chicagoans.
Venturing farther north will bring you to Saint Joseph, which has the largest public beach which isn’t on the ocean. You’ll also reach the quaint harbor town of South Haven, Michigan, and experience walking at its amazing piers at sunset.
4. The National Park Offers A Great View of the Chicago Skyline
You don’t have to go any farther if you are looking for something to feast your eyes on.
On a bright and sunny day, you will be able to see the Chicago skyline over the waters of Lake Michigan. You won’t get to see the shorter buildings, but you’ll have a magnificent view of the city’s multitude of skyscrapers.
If you’re interested in taking this viewing experience up a notch, you can try climbing the dunes at sunset. Climbing higher dunes may be tough but some smaller dunes have man-made stairs you can easily scale. Reaching the top will give you a spectacular view of the beach and Indiana as a whole.
Conclusion
Indiana Dunes National Park is a vast preserve loaded with sites to see and activities to do. If you are looking for a great place to have some summer fun with your family and friends, this place is definitely worth considering. From hiking and fishing to birdwatching, the national park has all the activities to keep everyone in the group entertained all day.
After your fun-filled excursion at Indiana Dunes National Park, get your bellies filled and energies recharged by dining at George’s Gyros Spot! We serve the best hot dogs in Valparaiso, IN, along with great-tasting Italian beef, gyros, and more. Visit our website to see our full menu.