Maple Syrup Time in Northwest Indiana

Every March, maple trees in the South Shore awaken with the warmer springtime days, and the sap begins to flow.

Two of Northwest Indiana's parks take part in this special time of year to show us all the sweet treats that the maple trees give us. Head to one of these local parks in Northwest Indiana to learn more about the history and process of maple syrup!

The Indiana Dunes National Park’s Maple Sugar Time Festival is scheduled for March 7-8, 2026, at Chellberg Farm from 10 am to 3 pm. Park staff will have multiple stations throughout the festival that demonstrate the different ways maple sugar was collected and used throughout history. Some of these methods include the hot stone method used by the Native Americans, the use of iron kettles by the pioneers, and the relatively modern methods used by farmers, much the way they did at Chellberg Farm.  

Bottled syrup will be offered for sale at both the Indiana Dunes National Park and Bailly/Chellberg visitor centers, and there will be a pancake breakfast available for purchase onsite.
 

Deep River County Park is celebrating their Maple Syrup Time tradition on the weekends of March 7, 8, 14 and 15, 2026, from 10 am to 4 pm at the Historic Grist Mill. Visit with Voyagers from the 1700s as they pass on how they learned to make maple sugar from Native Americans. You can also try pure maple syrup and take some home along with other goodies in their gift shop.