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Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore looking under a curved grass seed head at people on the beach
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Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
Central Avenue Access Point

Park Facility

Trail Map

Latitude

Longitude

Street Address
Central Avenue Access Point no trail map 041.42.05N 087.05.15W Central Avenue & Valley Avenue, Michigan City 46360
 
Visitor Activities:
  • No lifeguards. Swim at your own risk; rip currents and waves can make swimming hazardous.
  • During the spring and summer watch the Bank Swallows come and go from their nests in the dunes.
  • Observe the dragon flies fly overhead as you walk to the beach.
Facilities:
  • Area open, 7 a.m. to dusk, daily, in spring, summer and fall
  • Area closed, November 15 to April 15
  • 100-car parking lot
  • Restrooms
  • Information board listing current park activities
 

Driving Directions:

  1. Starting at I-94 and Indiana 49, go north about 3 miles to U.S. Highway 12.
  2. Take the U.S. Highway 12 exit (exit is on the left). Go right (east) 7 miles on U.S. Highway 12 to Central Ave.
  3. Turn left (north), go 1 mile to the parking area for Central Avenue Access Point that is on the left (west) side of the road.
 
image of map with route highlighted to the Central Beach

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water color painting of a wetland

Did You Know?
Poet Carl Sandburg and Artist Frank Dudley were inspired by the dunes. Today, through the park's Artist-in-Residence program, artists come to the dunes to create and share their work.
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Last Updated: January 31, 2012 at 10:14 MST