Date: June 9, 2015
Contact: Ryan Koepke, 219-395-1882
The end of the school year means that summer is in full swing at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Get out and enjoy your park by attending a ranger-led program or hike. At least ten different programs are offered each week ranging from Beginning Birding to Learn How to Kayak. Here are some of the programs being offered over the summer months. For information on all of the programs at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, call the information desk at 219-395-1882 or check the park's website at www.nps.gov/indu.
Campfire Program at National Lakeshore’s Campground
Join a ranger around the campfire at the Dunewood Campground Amphitheater every Friday night this summer and learn about the incredible diversity of beautiful places you can explore at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. During the campfire, learn about the brand new “Dunes Scavenger Hunt” that will take you on a self-guided adventure of nine national lakeshore sites. Program times vary due to the changing time of the sunset. In June, the program starts at 8:30 pm, in July at 8:00 pm, and at 7:30 pm in August. Short-term parking is available for amphitheater programs at the campground registration building.
The Dunewood Campground is located at the cross streets of Dunewood Parkway and Golfwood Road in Michigan City, Indiana. For more information about this program or other activities at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, contact the information desk at 219-395-1882 or check the park’s website at www.nps.gov/indu.
Open House at the National Lakeshore’s Douglas Center
Enjoy fun, family-friendly activities at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore’s Paul H. Douglas Center every Saturday from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. Then, take the kids outside to the center’s Nature Play Zone where unstructured play in nature is encouraged. You can also help feed the center’s resident turtles and fish or join a ranger for a hike in the beautiful Miller Woods.
The Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education is located in the western portion of the national lakeshore at 100 North Lake Street, about one mile north of U.S. Highway 12. For more information on this or other programs at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, call 219-395-1882 or check the park’s website at www.nps.gov/indu.
Beginning Birding Program at the National Lakeshore
Join a ranger on Saturday, June 13, July 18, or August 8 at 9:00 am for a Beginning Birding Hike at the Great Marsh Trail in Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. This 90-minute hike is a great opportunity for beginners of all ages who want to take up this great way to enjoy the outdoors.
The Great Marsh Trail parking lot is located on Broadway Street just north of the Beverly Shores Train Station in the Beverly Shores area. For more information on this or other programs at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, call 219-395-1882 or check the park's website at www.nps.gov/indu.
Pinhook Bog Open House at National Lakeshore
Take a self-guided hike into Indiana’s only quaking bog. Rangers and volunteers stationed along the Pinhook Bog Trail in Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore will help you understand this unique place filled with carnivorous plants. Allow about one hour to walk the trail and tour the bog. This open house will be held from 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm every Saturday afternoon through September 12.
The Pinhook Bog parking lot is located at 700 North Wozniak Road in Michigan City, Indiana. For more information about this program or other activities at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, contact the information desk at 219-395-1882 or check the park’s website at www.nps.gov/indu.
Sunset Hike at National Lakeshore’s Central Avenue Beach
Stroll down Central Avenue Beach with a ranger at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and enjoy the sunset over Lake Michigan. This 60-minute program is offered every Wednesday night through September 2.
Starting times vary: 7:30 pm in June and July, 7:00 pm in August, and 6:30 pm in September. During this leisurely hike, learn about the threats to our fragile Indiana dunes and what you can do to help protect them.
Meet at the Central Beach Parking Lot located at 151 Central Avenue just west of Michigan City, Indiana. For more information about this program or other activities at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, contact the information desk at 219-395-1882 or check the park’s website at www.nps.gov/indu.
Bike Ride with a Ranger at the National Lakeshore
Join a ranger for a bike ride starting at the Dunewood Campground and traveling along the Calumet Bike Trail at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. This two-hour guided ride will be offered at 9:00 am every Sunday morning through September 6. Bring your own bike or contact the visitor center at 219-395-1882 to learn where you can rent a bike. Short-term parking is available near the campground’s registration building for non-campers participating in bike ride programs.
The Dunewood Campground is located at the cross streets of Dunewood parkway and Golfwood Road in Michigan City, Indiana. For more information about this program or other activities at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, contact the information desk at 219-395-1882 or check the park's website at www.nps.gov/indu.
Kid’s Fun at Indiana Dunes Visitor Center
Meet the ranger in the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center’s activity room for a Sunday afternoon of kid’s activities, puppet shows, stories, and fun. Stop in any Sunday between 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm to help your children learn a little more about your neighborhood national park. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
The Indiana Dunes Visitor Center is located at 1215 N. State Road 49 just south of the intersection of 49 and U.S. 20 in Porter, Indiana. For more information about this program or other activities at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, contact the information desk at 219-395-1882 or check the park’s website at www.nps.gov/indu.
Learn to Kayak at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
Join a ranger any Thursday morning and on selected Saturday mornings along the Kemil and Dunbar Beach area and learn how to use a kayak at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. The ranger will be paddling along the beach, between 9:00 am – 11:00 am, with a kayak and lifejackets in tow and will let you try your hand at this increasing popular sport. In addition to every Thursday, this activity will be offered on the following Saturdays: June 18, 20, 25 and 27, July 4, 11, and 25, August 1, 15, 22, and 29.
Kemil Beach Parking Lot is located at 27 N. East State Park Road, 1 mile north of the Highway 12. For more information about this program or other activities at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, contact the information desk at 219-395-1882 or check the park’s website at www.nps.gov/indu.
Music Heritage Series at National Lakeshore
Tune up your vocal chords and join in with the Save the Tunes Council as they perform traditional music associated with the summer season. Gather up on Friday, June 19, July 17, or August 21, from 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Visitor Center.
The Save the Tunes Council is a group of local musicians devoted to preserving and passing on folk songs in the traditional way, using a variety of musical instruments including guitar, autoharp, dulcimer, banjo, harmonica, bagpipe, penny whistle, hurdy gurdy, and other obscure instruments.
Meet at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center located at 1215 N. State Road 49 just south of the intersection of 49 and U.S. 20 in Porter, Indiana. For more information about this program or other activities at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, contact the information desk at 219-395-1882 or check the park’s website at www.nps.gov/indu.
Campfire on Kemil Beach at National Lakeshore
Enjoy a campfire on the beach at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore’s Kemil Beach. Join a ranger on Saturday, June 13 or July 11, from 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm. We’ll provide the ingredients so you can roast some marshmallows for making s’mores while you enjoy a sing along with local musician Banjo Bob. Bring a flashlight for the walk back to the parking lot.
Park at the Kemil Beach Parking Lot and walk down to the beach. The lot is located at 27 N. East State Park Road, one mile north of U.S. Highway 12. For more information about this program or other activities at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, contact the information desk at 219-395-1882 or check the park’s website at www.nps.gov/indu.
Midsummer Celebration at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
Celebrate the longest day of the year and learn about the traditions of the Swedish immigrants at Chellberg Farm. Stop by the farm on Saturday, June 20 between 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm to enjoy the music, dance, colorful costumes, kid’s activities, and food associated with this special day. At 1:15 pm, watch a musical procession culminating in the raising of a traditionally decorated Maypole.
The Chellberg/Bailly parking lot is on Mineral Springs Road between U.S. 20 and Highway 12 in Porter, Indiana. For more information on this or other programs at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, call 219-395-1882 or check the park’s website at www.nps.gov/indu.
Summer Solstice Evening Concert at National Lakeshore’s Chellberg Farm
Enjoy the end of the longest day of the year with an early evening concert at Chellberg Farm. This outdoor concert, sponsored by the Friends of Indiana Dunes, features the popular band Trillium who performs traditional American music including folk, ragtime, and bluegrass. Gather up on Saturday, June 20, from 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm. Bring a blanket or folding chairs, and perhaps a picnic dinner, and find a pick your spot on the farmyard lawn.
The Chellberg/Bailly parking lot is on Mineral Springs Road between U.S. 20 and Highway 12 in Porter, Indiana. For more information on this or other programs at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, visit the park website at www.nps.gov/indu.
Stewardship Day at the National Lakeshore – Attacking Invasives
On June 20, from 9:00 a.m. to noon, join a ranger in helping to care for your local national park. Join in this volunteer activity as we remove Oriental Bittersweet and other invasive species in the Central Avenue Beach area. Wear comfortable clothes; work gloves and equipment will be provided. Insect repellant and sunscreen are recommended.
Meet at the Central Beach Parking Lot located at 151 Central Avenue just west of Michigan City, Indiana. For more information about this program or other activities at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, contact the information desk at 219-395-1882 or check the park’s website at www.nps.gov/indu.
Junior Wildland Firefighter Programs at the National Lakeshore
Meet the park’s fire crew and learn about their jobs and equipment. After this fun, hands-on program, children will receive their very own Junior Wildland Firefighter activity book and patch during this 60-minute program.
This program will be held at two different locations during the summer. At Dunewood Campground, from 10:00 am – 11:00 am, on June 13 and August 8, and at West Beach, from 11:00 – 12:00 pm, on June 27, July 25, and August 22.
For more information about this program or other activities at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, contact the information desk at 219-395-1882 or check the park’s website at www.nps.gov/indu.
Ranger-led Hike of Mount Baldy at National Lakeshore
While Mount Baldy remains closed to unrestricted public access, you can join a ranger for a special guided hike to the dune’s summit and learn about the scientific research into the mysterious holes that started appearing in June of 2013. Reservations are required. Call is 219-395-1882 to learn more and make a reservation. This 1.5 hour program will be offered every Friday at 5:00 pm and on the following Sundays at 10:00 am: June 21, July 5 and 19, August 2, 16, and 30.
The program meets at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center located at 1215 N. State Road 49 just south of the intersection of 49 and U.S. 20 in Porter, Indiana. For more information about this program or other activities at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, contact the information desk at 219-395-1882 or check the park’s website at www.nps.gov/indu.
Bailly Homestead & Chellberg Farm Open House at National Lakeshore
Learn about the centuries-old lifestyles of Duneland residents by exploring the historic Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. This open house will be held every Sunday through September 6, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Park in the Bailly & Chellberg Parking Lot and walk the trail to the Homestead and Farmhouse.
The Chellberg/Bailly parking lot is on Mineral Springs Road between U.S. 20 and Highway 12 in Porter, Indiana. For more information on this or other programs at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, visit the park website at www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit or contact the park’s information desk at 219-395-1882.
Miller Woods Hike at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
Take a Sunday afternoon stroll with a ranger through Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore’s Miller Woods. The trail features one of the rarest habitats in the country, black oak savannah. This program is offered every Sunday during the summer and begins at 1:30 p.m. Depending on the weather the length of this hike can vary from one-half mile to three miles. For information on this week’s hike, call the Paul H. Douglas Center at 219-395-1821.
The Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education is located in the western portion of the national lakeshore at 100 North Lake Street, about one mile north of U.S. Highway 12. For more information on this or other programs at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, call 219-395-1882 or check the park’s website at www.nps.gov/indu.
www.nps.gov
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is part of the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 407 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help protect our nation’s most valuable resources for this and future generations. Learn more at www.nps.gov.
