Starting from Gary, Indiana and stretching 25 miles east along the southern shores of Lake Michigan, the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and State Park welcome nearly 4 million guests to their sandy beaches each year. With sand dunes, wetlands, ponds, and prairie areas, the Indiana Dunes offers a unique experience for everyone. Visitors can enjoy a family camping trip, an ecological study or just a relaxing day in the sun.
The National Lakeshore is a beautiful spot for hiking, with 11 trails throughout the park of varying lengths and difficulty levels. Come during the spring to see the the park's amazing variety of wild flowers begin to bloom.
Attractions like Mount Baldy truly make visiting the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore a one of a kind experience. Mount Baldy, the "living" dune, stands at an impressive 123 feet tall and is the largest moving dune that trees cannot hold in place. Located near Michigan City, Mount Baldy moves at a rate of four to five feet south each year.
Indiana Dunes camping is also a popular pastime, with campers pitching tents and renting cabins, spending their days hiking the dunes or fishing along the shore of Lake Michigan. For those visitors more interested in modern amenities, there is also a great selection of South Shore hotels to meet any budget or accommodation level.