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Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Small pond located in the middle of the West Beach sand dunes
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Steep Sand Dunes and Magnificent Lake Views

Experience these sights at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore:
  • Waves crashing on sandy beaches
  • Karner Blue butterflies landing on wild lupines
  • Peaceful silence lingering along winter trails 
  • Bank swallows flying from their nest inside the dunes 
 
Featured Events

Saturdays:          

 Family Day at the Douglas Center
  1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
  Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education
  Take a hike through the rare oak savanna habitat here; enjoy hands-on family indoor activities like helping to feed the center's resident turtles or fish, or make a different craft to take home each Saturday.

Every 3rd Friday

 Music Heritage Series
  7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
 

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Visitor Center
 

Local musicians help sustain the culture of the Duneland region by sharing historic tunes. Meet at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Visitor Center located on Highway 49 just south of Highway 20.
See Description Artist-in-Residence Program 2012
 

Application postmark deadline: April 5, 2012 and received by April 12, 2012
 

The application process for the 2012 Artist-in-Residence Program at the national lakeshore is now open.

For application click here  
February 18         Stewardship Day : Waking up the Sugar Bush at Chellberg Farm
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Chellberg Farm
 

Help get the 34th annual Maple Sugar Time started on Saturday February 18, 2012 by joining the fun during "Stewardship Day - Waking Up the Sugar Bush at Chellberg Farm". The day will start with a toast to the season with pure Maple Syrup. Energized volunteers and staff will spend the morning around the sugar bush stacking firewood, moving supplies, cleaning the sugar shack and more. Weather permitting we will end by tapping a few maple trees. Come ready to be outside for the morning. Meet by the Bailly/Chellberg parking area at 9:00 a.m. 

 e-mail us for more details. 
February 18         Tuskagee Airman Presentation
  1:30 p.m.
 

Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education
 

Join the National Park Service and learn about the Tuskegee Airman and what they endured during a presentation at the Paul H. Douglas Center.  
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Maple Sugar Time

Maple Sugar Time

Enjoy a taste of spring at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore's annual Maple Sugar Time program.

Join National Park Service rangers and volunteers at the historic Chellberg Farm from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on the weekends of March 3 & 4 and March 10 & 11, for this fun and educational event marking the unofficial start of spring. The Chellberg Farm is located on Mineral Springs Road between Route 20 and Route 12.
 
Be A Volunteer

Many individuals with a passion for the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore donate thousands of hours each year as volunteers. Lots of volunteer opportunities are available at the national lakeshore. Whether you want to help indoors or out, we probably have something that you will find both interesting and rewarding. Volunteer activities include greeting visitors at the information desk, leading tours for school groups, restoring natural habitats, helping with festivals, and more. If you can give just a few hours on a regular basis, you can make a difference. For more information on the volunteer program, please contact the national lakeshore's Volunteer Coordinator Lynda Lancaster at 219-395-1864 or e-mail us.

More... 

 

Visitor Center

Indiana Dunes Visitor Center

A Great Place to Start
The visitor center is wonderful place to begin your Indiana Dunes experience. At the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Visitor Center, you can find amenities and other services such as maps, trail guides, a short orientation video, bookstore, and hands-on activities. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, a park ranger will be happy to assist you and help you have a safe adventure. The visitor center is located at 1215 N. State Road 49, Porter IN 46304.
 

Write to

1100 N. Mineral Springs Road
Porter, Indiana 46304

E-mail Us

Phone

Visitor Information
(219) 926-7561 ext. 3

Beach Information
(219) 926-7561 ext. 2

Climate

The national lakeshore's weather is greatly affected by Lake Michigan and can change quickly. Summers are generally in the mid-80sºF (30C) with lows in the mid-60sºF (18C). There are about 15 days per year above 90ºF (32C). Highs in winter are usually in the low to mid 30sºF (0C) with low temperatures in the low 20sºF (-5C). There are about 15 days per year below 0ºF (-18C). Winters tend to be cloudy except for periods of extreme cold when skies are clear.
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a sea of tall grasses and catails in a marsh setting and trees in the background

Did You Know?
Cowles Bog is not a true bog but rather a fen because it has an underground water source. This water source has contact with limestone bedrock, making the fen’s water slightly alkaline. Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is restoring a portion of this fen.
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Last Updated: January 31, 2012 at 14:13 MST

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