24 Hours In Indiana Dunes National Park (Hiking, Dunes, Historic Homes & the Chicago Skyline)
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Date: 2023-08-24
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Comments and reviews: 27
David
Thanks Josh for the video. But my honest question is: Why is this place a National Park? Even the National Park Service didn't want it to become a National Park! See this paragraph from Wikipedia:
A bill to reclassify Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore as Indiana Dunes National Park was sponsored by Representative Pete Visclosky and Senators Todd Young and Mike Braun and previously by Senator Joe Donnelly, who wanted to bring the site more recognition. [11][12] Deputy Director of the National Park Service Paul Daniel Smith testified that the Service opposed the redesignation because it would be inconsistent with the Service's naming conventions and the Indiana Dunes have more in common with other national lakeshores and seashores than national parks, which are typically much larger. [1
It being classified as a National Park just waters down the whole system of classifying the Parks. It has some interesting features but should have just been kept a National Lakeshore. I can only conclude it was due to politics and not a real consideration of the designation of what National Park means. There must be a thousand locations around the rest of the country, specifically the West that deserves it more than this place, imho.
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Thanks Josh for the video. But my honest question is: Why is this place a National Park? Even the National Park Service didn't want it to become a National Park! See this paragraph from Wikipedia:
A bill to reclassify Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore as Indiana Dunes National Park was sponsored by Representative Pete Visclosky and Senators Todd Young and Mike Braun and previously by Senator Joe Donnelly, who wanted to bring the site more recognition. [11][12] Deputy Director of the National Park Service Paul Daniel Smith testified that the Service opposed the redesignation because it would be inconsistent with the Service's naming conventions and the Indiana Dunes have more in common with other national lakeshores and seashores than national parks, which are typically much larger. [1
It being classified as a National Park just waters down the whole system of classifying the Parks. It has some interesting features but should have just been kept a National Lakeshore. I can only conclude it was due to politics and not a real consideration of the designation of what National Park means. There must be a thousand locations around the rest of the country, specifically the West that deserves it more than this place, imho.
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Connor
As a Midwesterner with plenty of Californian friends, it takes something special for you to go out the Dunes on a rainy day in the off-season, and still find something positive and encouraging to say about every site you visited. Your delight was contagious.
I haven't been to the Indiana Dunes yet, and to be honest, I've always been a bit of a snob about it. In Michigan we have the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, which are both larger and better preserved, and we (or at least I) felt a bit slighted when Indiana Dunes got the nod for the national park title. Sleeping Bear is astonishingly gorgeous yearround, but I am starting to think that I've maybe been unfair to the Indiana Dunes. From what I have read, the ranger programming is absolutely superb. Maybe even more importantly, natural preservation so close to a massive city, and with so many competing commercial and industrial interests, is a herculean achievement. Videos like this make me very excited to visit the Indiana Dunes!
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As a Midwesterner with plenty of Californian friends, it takes something special for you to go out the Dunes on a rainy day in the off-season, and still find something positive and encouraging to say about every site you visited. Your delight was contagious.
I haven't been to the Indiana Dunes yet, and to be honest, I've always been a bit of a snob about it. In Michigan we have the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, which are both larger and better preserved, and we (or at least I) felt a bit slighted when Indiana Dunes got the nod for the national park title. Sleeping Bear is astonishingly gorgeous yearround, but I am starting to think that I've maybe been unfair to the Indiana Dunes. From what I have read, the ranger programming is absolutely superb. Maybe even more importantly, natural preservation so close to a massive city, and with so many competing commercial and industrial interests, is a herculean achievement. Videos like this make me very excited to visit the Indiana Dunes!
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john
Its a good idea to stick to the trails, climbing on high bluffs there are spots where ancient trees that were buried by the moving dunes have rotted away creating a void that will suck you down into the dune, it has happened more than once in this particular dune area. If you want the park to yourself at Sleeping Bear or Indiana dunes Dec- April you will pretty much have the place to yourself, for snow shoeing, cross-country skiing, hiking, hunting is allowed in Michigan dunes, you may see deer hunters from Oct-Dec. The weather is usually the nicest from June - September, but expect more people. Indiana dunes actually has a native cactus, and some small cactus plants were discovered living on rocks in the higher elevations of the western upper peninsula of Michigan.
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Its a good idea to stick to the trails, climbing on high bluffs there are spots where ancient trees that were buried by the moving dunes have rotted away creating a void that will suck you down into the dune, it has happened more than once in this particular dune area. If you want the park to yourself at Sleeping Bear or Indiana dunes Dec- April you will pretty much have the place to yourself, for snow shoeing, cross-country skiing, hiking, hunting is allowed in Michigan dunes, you may see deer hunters from Oct-Dec. The weather is usually the nicest from June - September, but expect more people. Indiana dunes actually has a native cactus, and some small cactus plants were discovered living on rocks in the higher elevations of the western upper peninsula of Michigan.
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tquist61
As a native of California who has lived in Northern Indiana for the last 22 years, it was fun to see your video from your visit to Indiana's only national park. No one would ever confuse this park with some of the more impressive parks such as Yosemite, etc. but I find the dunes fun to hike over, and you can walk along the beach for a long, long ways. There are several large dunes on Lake Michigan. Warren Dunes in Michigan are not too far from Indiana Dunes. Further up north you can visit Sleeping Bear Dunes, which I believe are the largest on Lake Michigan. Obviously, the park is more comfortable to visit in warmer weather, but I also find it fun to see the lake in winter when it's frozen over. Thanks for sharing another one of your fantastic videos!
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As a native of California who has lived in Northern Indiana for the last 22 years, it was fun to see your video from your visit to Indiana's only national park. No one would ever confuse this park with some of the more impressive parks such as Yosemite, etc. but I find the dunes fun to hike over, and you can walk along the beach for a long, long ways. There are several large dunes on Lake Michigan. Warren Dunes in Michigan are not too far from Indiana Dunes. Further up north you can visit Sleeping Bear Dunes, which I believe are the largest on Lake Michigan. Obviously, the park is more comfortable to visit in warmer weather, but I also find it fun to see the lake in winter when it's frozen over. Thanks for sharing another one of your fantastic videos!
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John
Great video! I would suggest to you as a possible road trip with your Pops to do the Lake Michigan Circle Tour. As the name implies, it's a route that takes you around the entire lake. There are sites online that give you turn by turn directions (although we deviated a bit in some spots. I just did it with my mom and we loved it. Lots of scenery, especially in the UP of Michigan and northern lower Michigan, including even bigger dunes than the ones at Indiana Dunes NP, a bunch of state parks, and a lot of cool lighthouses. The lake water is so much cleaner up north, at times it almost looks like the Caribbean. Door County in Wisconsin was amazing as well, and crossing the Mackinac Bridge is an experience in itself!
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Great video! I would suggest to you as a possible road trip with your Pops to do the Lake Michigan Circle Tour. As the name implies, it's a route that takes you around the entire lake. There are sites online that give you turn by turn directions (although we deviated a bit in some spots. I just did it with my mom and we loved it. Lots of scenery, especially in the UP of Michigan and northern lower Michigan, including even bigger dunes than the ones at Indiana Dunes NP, a bunch of state parks, and a lot of cool lighthouses. The lake water is so much cleaner up north, at times it almost looks like the Caribbean. Door County in Wisconsin was amazing as well, and crossing the Mackinac Bridge is an experience in itself!
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Grover
We visited this park back in June. While it is probably my next to least favorite National Park, it still is a great park. We had an absolute amazing time but our weather was much better than yours, beautiful blue sky with amazing views of Chicago all the way to the Century of Progress Homes. I will say for me, I loved West Beach Dune Succession Trail, as you said so well the stairs are better than the sand. However, the best thing to do in the park is the Cowles Bog Trial. In the summer it is a great hike across a black oak savanna over the dunes hiking in the sand. You get great views of Chicago as well as a chance to see the parks wide diversity of flora. It is the best hike if not activity in the park.
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We visited this park back in June. While it is probably my next to least favorite National Park, it still is a great park. We had an absolute amazing time but our weather was much better than yours, beautiful blue sky with amazing views of Chicago all the way to the Century of Progress Homes. I will say for me, I loved West Beach Dune Succession Trail, as you said so well the stairs are better than the sand. However, the best thing to do in the park is the Cowles Bog Trial. In the summer it is a great hike across a black oak savanna over the dunes hiking in the sand. You get great views of Chicago as well as a chance to see the parks wide diversity of flora. It is the best hike if not activity in the park.
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Jeff
So sorry the weather wasn't your friend on this day to Indiana Dunes. The park is actually a gem, though it will never make anyone's list of the top half of our national parks. On a nice spring or fall weekday, when there aren't a ton of people crowding the beaches, you can go for some wonderfully long and diverse hikes thru both the national park and the state park. What most visitors never realize is that this is one of the most biologically diverse terrains in the entire country. If you ever get back to Indiana for more hiking and exploring, I'll be happy to share some specific trails and other places to visit! Thanks for ALL your amazing videos and all the time invested in them.
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So sorry the weather wasn't your friend on this day to Indiana Dunes. The park is actually a gem, though it will never make anyone's list of the top half of our national parks. On a nice spring or fall weekday, when there aren't a ton of people crowding the beaches, you can go for some wonderfully long and diverse hikes thru both the national park and the state park. What most visitors never realize is that this is one of the most biologically diverse terrains in the entire country. If you ever get back to Indiana for more hiking and exploring, I'll be happy to share some specific trails and other places to visit! Thanks for ALL your amazing videos and all the time invested in them.
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Naomi
What many people don't know is that Indiana Dunes comprises both a national park and a state park. The national park covers the beach, dunes, wetlands, prairies, and historical areas, so there's actually a lot to see. It may not be on par with, say, Yellowstone or Yosemite, but it is definitely worth a visit in the warmer months. The Dune Succession Trail (the one with all the stairs) is my favorite because you get to see the evolution of the dunes. Fun fact--there is actually a species of cactus native to the area and southeast Chicago. Not the place you'd expect to find cactus to grow, but the sandy soil and unique environment allow it.
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What many people don't know is that Indiana Dunes comprises both a national park and a state park. The national park covers the beach, dunes, wetlands, prairies, and historical areas, so there's actually a lot to see. It may not be on par with, say, Yellowstone or Yosemite, but it is definitely worth a visit in the warmer months. The Dune Succession Trail (the one with all the stairs) is my favorite because you get to see the evolution of the dunes. Fun fact--there is actually a species of cactus native to the area and southeast Chicago. Not the place you'd expect to find cactus to grow, but the sandy soil and unique environment allow it.
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Constance
You miss seeing the farm. They restored an old working farm that used to supply milk to Chicago. It would get there on the train. Too bad they lost funding and no longer have a ranger to take care of the animals. When I took my students out there over 10 years ago, the ranger let them heard the chickens into the chicken coop for the night. The chickens didn't want to go in and it was so funny to see the kids herding them with little wooden paddles. Took forever. The kids also like to see the goat that would stand on the cow's back. And one year the cow had a little calf
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You miss seeing the farm. They restored an old working farm that used to supply milk to Chicago. It would get there on the train. Too bad they lost funding and no longer have a ranger to take care of the animals. When I took my students out there over 10 years ago, the ranger let them heard the chickens into the chicken coop for the night. The chickens didn't want to go in and it was so funny to see the kids herding them with little wooden paddles. Took forever. The kids also like to see the goat that would stand on the cow's back. And one year the cow had a little calf
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Jack
Believe it or not, you can see cactus plants on the entrance road into West Beach. They are not your typical cacti you would see out west, as they are only very small and are low to the ground. If I'm not mistaken, the ecosystem of the Indiana Dunes is more diverse with its flora and fauna than most of the larger national parks. It really is a wonderful ecosystem, with a great history. Most of the larger dunes were mined with the sand shipped to Chicago for its development. And the marshes at West beach had once been used to harvest ice to send to Chicago.
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Believe it or not, you can see cactus plants on the entrance road into West Beach. They are not your typical cacti you would see out west, as they are only very small and are low to the ground. If I'm not mistaken, the ecosystem of the Indiana Dunes is more diverse with its flora and fauna than most of the larger national parks. It really is a wonderful ecosystem, with a great history. Most of the larger dunes were mined with the sand shipped to Chicago for its development. And the marshes at West beach had once been used to harvest ice to send to Chicago.
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Douglas
Definitely come in other seasons. I am a Biology prof at the University of Indianapolis and one of my colleagues takes students up there annually. The park is extremely biodiverse. The nature of the topography means that you have many ecosystems in a very small area. There are some other restricted areas like Pinhook Bog that in spring/summer that are home to a fantastic array of orchids and insect-eating pitcher and sundew plants. Botanically many very limited populations of endangered plants and animals.
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Definitely come in other seasons. I am a Biology prof at the University of Indianapolis and one of my colleagues takes students up there annually. The park is extremely biodiverse. The nature of the topography means that you have many ecosystems in a very small area. There are some other restricted areas like Pinhook Bog that in spring/summer that are home to a fantastic array of orchids and insect-eating pitcher and sundew plants. Botanically many very limited populations of endangered plants and animals.
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Adventure
It's a bummer that the weather was so bad for your visit but glad you still enjoyed the park! If you ever get back and have time for a longer hike, I highly recommend Cowles Bog trail. Indiana Dunes is one of the few national parks that is very dog friendly which is important to me. If you're a bit of a masochist, you could also pop over to Indiana Dunes State Park and do the 3 Dune Challenge. Only 1. 5 miles but some of the hardest deep sand dune climbing you will ever do!
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It's a bummer that the weather was so bad for your visit but glad you still enjoyed the park! If you ever get back and have time for a longer hike, I highly recommend Cowles Bog trail. Indiana Dunes is one of the few national parks that is very dog friendly which is important to me. If you're a bit of a masochist, you could also pop over to Indiana Dunes State Park and do the 3 Dune Challenge. Only 1. 5 miles but some of the hardest deep sand dune climbing you will ever do!
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WWeronko
I generally find a trail less than five miles is not worthy of serious effort. With that consideration, I find the Indiana Dune's State Park most satisfying. If you start at the Pavilion, take trail 2 to trail 10 and loop back around to the Pavilion, it equals about 12 glorious scenic miles of board walk, wet lands, dunes, forests and beach front. It is one of my favorite hikes of the area.
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I generally find a trail less than five miles is not worthy of serious effort. With that consideration, I find the Indiana Dune's State Park most satisfying. If you start at the Pavilion, take trail 2 to trail 10 and loop back around to the Pavilion, it equals about 12 glorious scenic miles of board walk, wet lands, dunes, forests and beach front. It is one of my favorite hikes of the area.
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Cindy
My son and I made a quick stop here in early June on our cross-country trip. We hiked the Cowles Bog Trail. We were all alone on trail, so that was nice. Lots of different ecosystems along the way. Climbing the dunes will get your heart pumping (no stairs there) The lake views were nice. All in all, it was a pleasant way to spend a morning, but nothing to go out of your way for, in my opinion.
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My son and I made a quick stop here in early June on our cross-country trip. We hiked the Cowles Bog Trail. We were all alone on trail, so that was nice. Lots of different ecosystems along the way. Climbing the dunes will get your heart pumping (no stairs there) The lake views were nice. All in all, it was a pleasant way to spend a morning, but nothing to go out of your way for, in my opinion.
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Never
Ive only done that last trail to the beach never found the visitor center. But Im Glad to see it exists at the other locations. I only saw that small concession stand by the beach.
The whole time I was thinking to myself the Indiana dunes state park is so much nicer. My wife hates hiking carry the toddler in sand so probably not going back anytime soon because Turkey runn wins over sand.
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Ive only done that last trail to the beach never found the visitor center. But Im Glad to see it exists at the other locations. I only saw that small concession stand by the beach.
The whole time I was thinking to myself the Indiana dunes state park is so much nicer. My wife hates hiking carry the toddler in sand so probably not going back anytime soon because Turkey runn wins over sand.
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James
Cowles Bog is my favorite trail at Indiana Dunes. Something that might fit your style would be a road trip of Lake Michigan dunes from Indiana Dunes to Warren Dunes to Saugatuck Dunes to Holland and Grand Haven to Silver Lake Sand Dunes (only place east of the Mississippi where you can drive on dunes) to Nordhouse Dunes to iconic M-22 and Sleeping Bear Dunes. Just a thought.
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Cowles Bog is my favorite trail at Indiana Dunes. Something that might fit your style would be a road trip of Lake Michigan dunes from Indiana Dunes to Warren Dunes to Saugatuck Dunes to Holland and Grand Haven to Silver Lake Sand Dunes (only place east of the Mississippi where you can drive on dunes) to Nordhouse Dunes to iconic M-22 and Sleeping Bear Dunes. Just a thought.
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txplanomom
Great video! Checking out your Olympic NP for a visit this year. Right next to the national park is the Indiana Dunes State Park. They have great trails to do all year around. Trail #9 is a favorite. Walk to the top of dune with a great view of the lake! There's also a 3Dune Challenge at the state park where you do the 3 tallest dunes on a trail
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Great video! Checking out your Olympic NP for a visit this year. Right next to the national park is the Indiana Dunes State Park. They have great trails to do all year around. Trail #9 is a favorite. Walk to the top of dune with a great view of the lake! There's also a 3Dune Challenge at the state park where you do the 3 tallest dunes on a trail
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travel
The reason why I have no positive feedback about this park is the industrial area near the park! That scenery is totally ruining the whole scenery personally. My perspective of the national park or any similar parks is those parks are away from civilization and how isolated they are from them(like city noises, smokes, lights and etc)
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The reason why I have no positive feedback about this park is the industrial area near the park! That scenery is totally ruining the whole scenery personally. My perspective of the national park or any similar parks is those parks are away from civilization and how isolated they are from them(like city noises, smokes, lights and etc)
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travel
Im a native of north west Indiana thank you for bringing attention to some of the best natural beauty we have to offer sadly the industrial stuff is an eye sore but we still preserved some beauty there was an even bigger sand dune bigger then mount baldy but it was taken down for sand if I remember correctly
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Im a native of north west Indiana thank you for bringing attention to some of the best natural beauty we have to offer sadly the industrial stuff is an eye sore but we still preserved some beauty there was an even bigger sand dune bigger then mount baldy but it was taken down for sand if I remember correctly
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mark
The adjacent steel plants have paid millions in environmental fines and donated acreage to the Dunes. My favorite thing to near Indiana Dunes is a) buy very cheap gas (oil refineries all over there) and b) purchase clearance fireworks after July 4th. Peace my man!
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The adjacent steel plants have paid millions in environmental fines and donated acreage to the Dunes. My favorite thing to near Indiana Dunes is a) buy very cheap gas (oil refineries all over there) and b) purchase clearance fireworks after July 4th. Peace my man!
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Show
I loved being able to see the skyline of Chicago too, so cool! We went in August and I think technically we were at the State Park side of the dunes but our family had a blast swimming and playing in the soft sand and climbing up (and rolling down ) the dunes!
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I loved being able to see the skyline of Chicago too, so cool! We went in August and I think technically we were at the State Park side of the dunes but our family had a blast swimming and playing in the soft sand and climbing up (and rolling down ) the dunes!
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Bri
Another great video! Thank you for taking us along! Hiking is my dog and my happy place! We had some crazy flooding last spring that blew out the bridges to our trails but I am hoping we can get back out there this year and explore. Happy trails friend!
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Another great video! Thank you for taking us along! Hiking is my dog and my happy place! We had some crazy flooding last spring that blew out the bridges to our trails but I am hoping we can get back out there this year and explore. Happy trails friend!
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Ja
Well done. Beverly Shores and the houses were such an intetesting surprise. Loved reading about the history of each house.
Weather was not the best, but you did an exceptional job covering many areas. Indiana Dunes NP is worth visiting. Thank you.
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Well done. Beverly Shores and the houses were such an intetesting surprise. Loved reading about the history of each house.
Weather was not the best, but you did an exceptional job covering many areas. Indiana Dunes NP is worth visiting. Thank you.
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Kevin
Hi Josh
We went to Indiana dunes last summer spent a day there and had a great time. Did the 3 dunes challenge hung out and swam at the beach ended with the Diana of the dunes trail. Looks like the weather didn't cooperate with you.
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Hi Josh
We went to Indiana dunes last summer spent a day there and had a great time. Did the 3 dunes challenge hung out and swam at the beach ended with the Diana of the dunes trail. Looks like the weather didn't cooperate with you.
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Austin
Should definitely go on a clear day in the summer then you can really get a good view of the skyline. Thats really the main reason why went once was to see the skyline from a distance like that and the water isnt to bad over there.
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Should definitely go on a clear day in the summer then you can really get a good view of the skyline. Thats really the main reason why went once was to see the skyline from a distance like that and the water isnt to bad over there.
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Adamalthus
IMHO designating this area as a National Park undermines what National Parks stand for. This was clearly a political decision that bypassed the normal considerations that go into these important decisions.
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IMHO designating this area as a National Park undermines what National Parks stand for. This was clearly a political decision that bypassed the normal considerations that go into these important decisions.
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DRC
For those who enjoy hiking two trails come to mind 1st is Cowles Bog Trail in the Nat. Park. And my favorite is trail #9 at the Indiana Dunes State Park. Trail 9 is easily the best hike in the park.
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For those who enjoy hiking two trails come to mind 1st is Cowles Bog Trail in the Nat. Park. And my favorite is trail #9 at the Indiana Dunes State Park. Trail 9 is easily the best hike in the park.
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