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Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore |
Description:
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, authorized by Congress in 1966, is located approximately 50 miles southeast of Chicago, Illinois in the counties of Lake, Porter, and LaPorte in Northwest Indiana. The national lakeshore runs for nearly 25 miles along southern Lake Michigan, bordered by Michigan City, Indiana on the east, and Gary on the west. The park contains approximately 15,000 acres, 2,182 of which are located in Indiana Dunes State Park and managed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Miles of beaches, sand dunes, bog, wetlands, woodland forests, an 1830's French Canadian homestead, and a working 1900 era farm combine to make the national lakeshore a unique setting for studying humans and their impact on the environment. Dr. Henry Cowles conducted his landmark ecological studies in the Indiana Dunes. Indiana Dunes is ranked 7th among national parks in native plant diversity. Research conducted over the last two decades has revealed 1,418 vascular plant species within park boundaries, of which over 90 are on the state of Indiana's threatened or endangered list.
Designations:
National Lakeshore (November 5, 1966)
Accessibility:
The major sites in the park are accessible with assistance. The West Beach Bathhouse, the Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education and the Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center buildings are fully accessible by wheelchair. Accessible parking and restroom services are available throughout the park. Free use of a standard wheelchair is available at the
Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center and the Paul H. Douglas Center.
Indiana Dunes has made significant achievements in providing access to beach areas. However, access to the waters of Lake Michigan pose challenging accessibility problems.
Presently, three beach areas are considered accessible: West Beach, Lake View Picnic area and Porter Beach.
Golden Access Passports, a free life-time entrance permit for individuals who have medically been determined to be blind or permanently disabled, are available from the Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center.
Getting Around:
Visitors can travel through the park in personal vehicles. Bicycles are permitted on the main roads but are prohibited on all trails except Calumet Bike Trail, Long Lake Trail, Marquette Trail, and the Lake Michigan shore line from Lake Front Drive to Central Avenue Beach, on the flat portion of the beach only.
Activites:
Auto_Touring | Biking | Camping | Educational Programs | Fishing | Hiking | Horseback Riding | Swimming | Wildlife Viewing | Snow Skiing | Bird Watching | Nature Walks | Cross Country Skiing | And more.
Facilities:
Visitor_Centers | Restaurant or Snack Bar | Picnic Areas | Museum Exhibits | Tours & Guided Activities | And more.
Directions to Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
Plane:
The surrounding communities are serviced by the Gary Regional Airport, South Bend Airport, and Chicago's Midway and O'Hare Airports.
Car:
Visitors can access the national lakeshore via Interstate Highway I-94, the Indiana Toll Road, I-80/90 U.S. 20, or Indiana State Hwy 12 and various state roads.
Public Transportation
The Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad stops at several stations throughout the park.
Attractions:
Indiana Dunes State Park
Phone:(219)926-1952
Kampinos National Park in Poland
Nearby Parks:
George Rogers Clark National Historical Park
Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial
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Indiana Road Maps (IN Maps)
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