Indiana Dune National Lakeshore Travel Information
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore preserves more than 15,000 acres
of diverse ecosystems along the Lake Michigan shore between Michigan
City and Gary. The area’s beaches, dunes and surrounding cities
attract visitors year round. Here hiking, biking and horseback
riding trails throughout the park connect beaches, dunes, bogs, fens,
savannas, prairies, marshes and forests. Picnicking, swimming,
sunbathing, bird watching and hang gliding are popular activities. In
winter the dunes turn into a snowy playground with cross-country
skiing, sledding and snowshoeing. There are two campgrounds,
Dunewood Campground within the National Lakeshore, and another
campground in Indiana Dunes State Park. Two historical sites, the
Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm, are accessible by trail. Area
marinas offer boat rentals, charter cruises and fishing trips on Lake
Michigan. There are seven nearby golf courses. Nearby towns,
Michigan City, Chesterton, Portage, Valparaiso and Gary provide
dining, antique shopping, art galleries, entertainment venues, spas,
festivals and lodging. Michigan City offers outlet shopping at
Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets and views of Lake Michigan from its
downtown pier. Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is 55 miles west
of South Bend and 20 miles north east of Gary. The lakeshore is
accessible via U.S. Highways 12 and 20. There are many lodging options
in the towns around the park including national chain hotels and
motels, local inns, resorts, bed and breakfasts, rental homes and
cottages, and campgrounds.
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