Beaches and Trails
Beaches and Trails
East Long Lake Road (1.5 mile walk);
Sunset Hill Farm (open and forested trails); Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve (paved and unpaved trails); Indiana Dunes State Park (beaches and trails); Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Park (beaches and trails).
This is a quick, 11 mile drive straight up to the north terminus of IN 49. Right at the southern tip of Lake Michigan, this is my favorite place to go for the beach and for the trails! There are miles of wide, sandy beach flanked by beautiful sand dunes, some of which guests are allowed to climb. Turn right at the roundabout to visit the Nature Center. From the Nature Center (indoor restroom) you can access Trails 7, 8, 9, and 10. If you are feeling especially energetic, take the 3 Dune Challenge and scale the three tallest sand dunes in the State Park! Or you can continue on to Trail 9 and 10 trailheads at Wilson Shelter (water fountain in warmer months and portapotty year round). From Trail 9, known as The Ridge, you can look to the north over majestic Lake Michigan, and to the south over the oak savannah. Parking fees: $7 for Indiana residents, $12 for out-of-state residents.
13 Einheimische empfehlen
Indiana Dunes State Park (Dunes Nature Preserve)
This is a quick, 11 mile drive straight up to the north terminus of IN 49. Right at the southern tip of Lake Michigan, this is my favorite place to go for the beach and for the trails! There are miles of wide, sandy beach flanked by beautiful sand dunes, some of which guests are allowed to climb. Turn right at the roundabout to visit the Nature Center. From the Nature Center (indoor restroom) you can access Trails 7, 8, 9, and 10. If you are feeling especially energetic, take the 3 Dune Challenge and scale the three tallest sand dunes in the State Park! Or you can continue on to Trail 9 and 10 trailheads at Wilson Shelter (water fountain in warmer months and portapotty year round). From Trail 9, known as The Ridge, you can look to the north over majestic Lake Michigan, and to the south over the oak savannah. Parking fees: $7 for Indiana residents, $12 for out-of-state residents.
The National Park, previously known as the National Lakeshore, covers many, many miles of lakeshore and trails, with the State Park located between the western and eastern portions. For information before you head up, stop at the Dunes Visitor Center on IN 49, just north of Chesterton. In the eastern portion, near Michigan City, you will see Mount Baldy, the tallest dune. Check to see if visitors are allowed to climb it, as conditions vary. To the west, take the Cowles Bog trails (portapotty), where Dr. H. C. Cowles formulated the idea of plant succession. Fees: $6 day pass. Passes for all National Parks: $80 annual, $20 annual senior pass (62 and up); $10 lifetime senior pass.
36 Einheimische empfehlen
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
The National Park, previously known as the National Lakeshore, covers many, many miles of lakeshore and trails, with the State Park located between the western and eastern portions. For information before you head up, stop at the Dunes Visitor Center on IN 49, just north of Chesterton. In the eastern portion, near Michigan City, you will see Mount Baldy, the tallest dune. Check to see if visitors are allowed to climb it, as conditions vary. To the west, take the Cowles Bog trails (portapotty), where Dr. H. C. Cowles formulated the idea of plant succession. Fees: $6 day pass. Passes for all National Parks: $80 annual, $20 annual senior pass (62 and up); $10 lifetime senior pass.
This is an easy 6.2 mile drive straight up IN 49. This is a beautifully laid out preserve with some paved trails and some unpaved trails. Coffee Creek meanders throughout the preserve, and there are benches and decks where you can stop and rest. There is a marked 5K trail, though you can walk a shorter or longer distance. If you’re lucky, you’ll see deer in the woods, and Eastern Bluebirds in the open areas. There is a restroom on site. Free.
12 Einheimische empfehlen
Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve
2401 Village PointThis is an easy 6.2 mile drive straight up IN 49. This is a beautifully laid out preserve with some paved trails and some unpaved trails. Coffee Creek meanders throughout the preserve, and there are benches and decks where you can stop and rest. There is a marked 5K trail, though you can walk a shorter or longer distance. If you’re lucky, you’ll see deer in the woods, and Eastern Bluebirds in the open areas. There is a restroom on site. Free.
This is a 4.2 mile drive from the apartment. There are trails through open fields and trails through hilly, forested areas. There are some buildings and also some farm animals. There is a regular restroom in one of the buildings. There are many unpaved trails which cover many miles if you follow all of them. Free.
8 Einheimische empfehlen
Sunset Hill Farm County Park
775 Meridian RdThis is a 4.2 mile drive from the apartment. There are trails through open fields and trails through hilly, forested areas. There are some buildings and also some farm animals. There is a regular restroom in one of the buildings. There are many unpaved trails which cover many miles if you follow all of them. Free.