Indiana Dunes

 

May 17, 2022

Indiana Dunes

 

Indiana Dunes National Park

Finding myself having to drive from Chicago back to Indianapolis and having all the time I wanted to make the journey, I opted to take the scenic route rather than just following the quickest path down I-65. Instead, I headed around the rim of Lake Michigan to visit one of the newest National Parks in America, the Indiana Dunes National Park.

I had visited the area, which has been protected for many years, previously, visiting the Indiana Dunes State Park, but it was my first time there since it was redesignated as the nation's 61st national park on February 15, 2019. The park runs for about 20 miles (32 km) along the southern shore of Lake Michigan and covers 15,349 acres . Along the lakefront, the eastern area is roughly the lake shore south to U.S. 12 between Michigan City, Indiana, on the east and the ArcelorMittal steel plant on the west.

Formed after the lake’s water levels dropped at the end of the Ice Age, the region’s dunes have slowly shifted and grown over with lush vegetation. The nature reserve consists of acres of extraordinary sand dunes and unique geology, making it an unrivaled destination for recreation and nature experiences in the state.

Large sand dunes, located beyond the entire shoreline, have taken thousands of years to form, and tower nearly 200 feet above Lake Michigan. A wide range of habitats and plant species are found in the park, with vegetation stabilizing some of the sand. These habitats provide homes for many types of plants and animals. The lake also provides a habitat for many aquatic species, as well as a constantly changing fishery.

It is a beautiful place with miles of undeveloped shoreline and the beach is great for swimming in the summer and there are plenty of hiking trails and wildlife as well. You can also get a cool view of downtown Chicago from most spots along the shore, though the metropolis seems worlds away from the natural beauty of the park.

I spent some time hiking and photographing and visited the nature center and visitor center before heading south, again off the main route, through the small Northern Indiana towns, that I have seldom passed through before. I had one additional stop that I wanted to visit before heading back.

Tippecanoe River State Park is located near the small town of Winamac, Indiana and is a state park that I had never visited before. It seemed to be located in a somewhat indirect line between the Dunes and Carmel, where I was bound, so I added it to my itinerary.

Noted for a grove of old-growth white pine trees, the park also preserves more than 2 miles (3 km) of undisturbed wetland shoreline on the Tippecanoe River. The park has ten miles of hiking trails and thirteen miles of trails designated for horseback riding and there were a number of people riding horses through the park while I was there.

The highlight for me was hiking a trail to a 90 foot tall fire tower that I was able to climb and which commands a beautiful 360 degree view above the treetops of the park and surrounding area. Built as part of the WPA projects in the 1930s, the tower is still sturdy and is pretty damn cool. I also hiked along the river, which is popular for fishing as well as kayaking and canoeing. It was another great state park to check off my list.