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Indiana Dunes National Lakeshorelong picture with view from the top of a sand dune (Mt Baldy) looking down at the beach and boats in Lake Michigan
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Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
Mt Baldy
Access to Mount Baldy’s summit has been rerouted from the southern dune slope, directly north of the parking lot, to a trail that starts approximately 100 yards west of the former starting point. Temporary fencing has been placed at the base and summit of Mount. Baldy to close off the former trail and directional signs to the new trail have been installed. ....learn more
 

Park Facility

Trail Map

Latitude

Longitude

Street Address

Mt. Baldy Mt. Baldy Trail 041.42.20N 086.55.52W U.S. Highway 12, Michigan City
 
Visitor Activities:
  • Walk along a marked trail to the summit of the 126-foot sand dune on your way to Lake Michigan.
  • No lifeguards. Swim at your own risk; rip currents and waves can make swimming hazardous.
Facilities:
  • Area open, 7 a.m. to dusk, daily
  • Year-round restroom facilities 
  • 100-vehicle parking lot including bus & RV parking spaces
  • Information board listing current park activities
 
Fun Facts
  • Mt. Baldy is 126 above the water level of Lake Michigan.
  • It is moving at about 4 feet a year. Beach sand moves when the prevailing northwest wind exceeds 7 m.p.h.
  • It is starving. Beach erosion is taking away more sand than the waves are bringing in due to the breakwall that was built for the Michigan City Harbor. To try and correct the effect of the breakwall the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began feeding the beach in 1974. Thus far they have given it four meals:
    • 1974 fine sand trucked in;
    • 1983 coarse sand trucked in;
    • 1996 early summer 35,000 cubic yards slurried in by pipe from the harbor; and
    • 1996 late summer 50,000 cubic yards trucked in.
 
Driving Directions:
  1. Starting at I-94 and Indiana 49, go north about 3 miles to U.S. Highway 12.
  2. Exit to U.S. Highway 12 (on left).
  3. Then right (1/2 way along exit).
  4. Turn right (east) 8 miles on U.S. Highway 12 to the parking area for Mt. Baldy. It will be on the left (north) side of the road.
 
map with route highlighted to the Mt Baldy
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.

Last Updated: October 02, 2008 at 11:36 EST