Indiana Dunes National Park hugs 15 miles of the southern shore of Lake Michigan and has much to offer. Whether you enjoy scouting for rare species of birds or flying kites on the sandy beach, the national park's 15,000 acres will continually enchant you.  Hikers will enjoy 50 miles of trails over rugged dunes, mysterious wetlands, sunny prairies, meandering rivers and peaceful forests.

Indiana Dunes National Park

Black-oak savanna is one of the rarest, most diverse habitats on earth. Staff at Indiana Dunes National Park have been actively restoring this savanna thru clearing invasive plants and overgrown shrubs and trees. We expect this habitat to continue to improve through the use of occasional prescribed fire, and the photo you have submitted will help document the recovery of this amazing ecosystem!

Tolleston Dunes

This open dune complex is home to a wide variety of rare plant and animal species, and is a fine example of our parks namesake--the dunes. Unfortunately, the integrity of this dune is threatened by off-trail hiking. When individuals roam off-trail, the vegetation that holds the dunes together is trampled, causing the dunes to erode. We hope the photo you have submitted will document success of our dune protection efforts.

West Beach

Miller Woods is home to over 400 native plant species, largely due to the diversity of habitats from the oak savanna to rich wetlands. This particular wetland is invaded by non-native grasses like cattail and phragmites, which the park will be working to eliminate in the coming years and replace with native vegetation to provide better homes to our local wildlife.

Miller Woods

The Portage Lakefront area is experiencing dramatic shifts and changes in the shoreline and the interdunal pond behind the building. As Lake Michigan continues to rise, the beach is changing, the dunes are being washed away, and the interdunal pond is growing in size. Watch from this vantage point to see how Lake Michigan cycles annually as well as long term and affects the landscape around her.

Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk

Wetlands like this one provide so many benefits to wildlife and humans alike. They filter water, provide habitat for numerous species, and are just beautiful to behold. This large wetland complex has undergone extensive restoration in recent years. Staff at Indiana Dunes National Park have been actively restoring this wetland thru clearing invasive plants and overgrown shrubs and trees. We expect this habitat to continue to improve, and the photo you have submitted will help document the recovery of this amazing ecosystem!

Indiana Dunes National Park

Indiana

5 chronologs managed by Indiana Dunes National Park

Tolleston Dunes

West Beach

Miller Woods

Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk

Cowles Bog

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