Get Out Of Town With A Trip To Indiana Dunes State Park
By Benjamin Clancy|Published October 15, 2020
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Benjamin Clancy
Author
Benjamin Clancy is the Illinois and Indiana writer at Only In Your State, a doctoral candidate at UNC Chapel Hill in Communication, and an artistic type who has attended the Vermont Studio Center residency in poetry writing and makes something like music as "little other." They grew up in Austin, Texas and currently live in Chicago, IL with their partner, two dogs, and a cat. Get in touch by emailing bclancy@onlyinyourstate.com.
Indiana Dunes State Park is the state’s must-visit beach. It boasts more than 2,000 acres of gorgeous sand beaches, dazzling natural vistas, and demanding dunes for hikers looking for a challenge. There is also plenty of room for frolicking families to picnic and soak in the Indiana outdoors.
Whether you’ve been going to Indiana Dunes State park since you were a kid or this is your first visit, this is the perfect place to leave it all behind. After all, we deserve some time to get lost in the dunes with our loved ones. In nature this inspiring, you might just find yourself along the way.
Indiana Dunes State Park is located at 1600 N 25 E, Chesterton, IN 46304.
Indiana Dunes State Park located in the larger expanse of Indiana Dunes National Park. While it may be a park within a park, this doesn't mean the sights and adventures here are small. Indiana Dunes State Park boasts one of the most famous sandy beaches in the Great Lakes region. It has incredible biodiversity which makes for great birdwatching, hiking, or wandering.
Bicyclists can take an easy tour of the park or test their BMX skills on the dunes. The park also has camping and guided tours led by rangers and naturalists. This makes for a vacation tailored just to you. Your time at the dunes can be as athletic, awe-inspiring, educational, or relaxing as you want it to be.
One of Indiana Dunes State Park's most distinctive features is "The Challenge." This hike up Mt. Holden, the largest sand dunes on the southern shore of Lake Michigan. They call this "The Challenge: for a reason, though. Summiting the dunes will require many visitors to seriously elevate their hiking game.
Though it may be located on Lake Michigan, Indiana Dunes State Park is Hoosier state experience through-and-through. You'll splash around beneath the towering smokestacks of a steel mill originally built by Bethlehem Steel in the 1960s. If you look northwest from certain spots, you can see the Chicago skyline glimmering in the distance. This view of Chicago actually comes as a point of pride for Hoosier's, too. The sand beaches of Indiana Dunes State Park outstrip most beaches in Illinois by a mile.
Don't let the smokestacks of the steel plant unsettle you. Indiana dedicates itself to having fewer parks that are higher in quality and reflect the natural world as it was prior to the state's development. Indiana Dunes State Park is kept clean and preserved. That means you can breathe deep while looking out over its rugged vistas...
In fact, the steel mill provides a backdrop for some of the most unique beach sunsets that you'll see in Indiana. The view might not be for everyone, but it's truly something to behold a purple dusk like this.
The preserved natural environment of Indiana Dunes State Park also has many options for of family-friendly getaways. After a morning swim, take an easy bike ride along one of the park's paved trails. Then settle down for a wholesome picnic with draw-dropping scenery.
On top of guided tours, Indiana Dunes State Park frequently hosts events meant to be both entertaining and educational. A sing-along or a storytelling circle is a great way to unwind with your loved ones before pitching your tent and sleeping under the stars.
Nothing refreshes a person like some relaxing, waterside recreation. Indiana Dunes State Park may be popular but its vast acreage, diverse nature, and unparalleled beaches make it the perfect escape. So, don’t hesitate! Ditch your day-to-day and head to the dunes.
What other beaches or parks in Indiana do you frequent when you need to take a step back? Where’s the best place for a Hoosier to find a home-away-from-home? We’d love to hear your stories and see your photos from the last time you got out of town.
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