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Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

, Indiana

NPCA REGION: Midwest Regional Office

Acreage: 15,067.38

Category: National Lakeshore

Date Established: 11/05/1966

More Info: http://www.nps.gov/indu

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, located about 35 miles from Chicago, traces its roots back to 1899 when Henry Chandler Cowles did pioneering plant ecology work along the shores of Lake Michigan. However it wasn’t until 1966 when a small group of citizens was able to urge Congress to pass legislation to establish the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore as part of the National Park Service. The park was created within a “park-port” compromise bill that ensured the Port of Indiana, along with two large steel mills, could not be developed unless a section of the lakeshore was set aside for preservation.

Originally only 8,330 acres of land and water the park now includes more than 15,000 acres of sensitive dune lands, bird-filled marshes, oak and maple forests and remnants of once-vast prairies. More than 350 species of birds have been observed at the park and more than 90 endangered plant species are found within the park’s boundaries.

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore provides park visitors a wonderful opportunity to hike along the dunes, swim in beautiful Lake Michigan beaches, climb the height of Mt. Baldy or explore the wonders of Pinhook Bog with a park ranger.

—Matthew Killion/NPCA

Threats

Still, after 40 years it is clear that the park is under constant threats. Indiana Dunes suffers from degradation of resources, boundary encroachment, visitor safety issues from the many highway and rail crossings in the park, and an “identity crisis” which leaves visitors confused as to when they are in the park.

NPCA’s Midwest Regional Office works with many park partners to address these challenges and shine the spotlight on this great national park site.

NPCA and its partners have established the project "National Park, Regional Treasure," to open a meaningful dialog about the challenges and opportunities at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Read more >

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Comments

If you haven't tried hiking in the snow at Indiana Dunes, you should. There is plenty of it in the winter!! Try cross country skiing the Ly-co-ki-we Trail.

Submitted by Dunes lover at: January 8, 2010

I grew up on these beaches and dunes every weekend as a kid. Whether it was swimming in the lake, climbing Mt. Baldy, or climbing the mini glaciers as they wash up on the beach in the spring, I have great love for this place. I am now 29, and my fondest memories growing up are here, and when I come home to visit I make sure to spend time at the parks for a little while to get peace within. Stop the industry pollution and the invasive species to help keep this place as beautiful as it was growing up!

Submitted by Sean T at: May 29, 2009

My aunt is a park ranger here and I came out to visit and greatly enjoyed this park. The beaches along Lake Michigan were very pleasant and I much prefer them to the beaches of where I live, in Los Angeles. At Indiana Dunes, the water was not all sticky like ocean water and was unexpectedly warm! I'd trade palm trees for pleasant water any day.

Submitted by Sierra Explorer at: March 28, 2009

I live in Chicago, but visit the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore practically every weekend from April to November, and quite often during the frigid months too! There's always something new to see. Dense woodland dunes, expansive sand dunes (120 foot tall mt. baldy), and a great lake shore with lots of sandy beach.

Submitted by Tom g at: November 20, 2008

The main threat to the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is the loss of biodiversity due to many factors, including invasive species. We welcome NPCA back to the Midwest and hope you will participate in the many on-the-ground efforts to restore and enhance the Indiana Dunes.

Submitted by Tom at: October 31, 2008