Traveling Ted is a blog that takes readers along on my adventures hiking, canoeing, skiing, and international backpacking. Many blogs focus on one aspect of backpacking, but I tackle both the outdoor adventure side and international exploration as well.

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Indiana Dunes

Most think of the Indiana Dunes as only a beach and Lake Michigan, but this photo essay will show there is much more than that

Indiana Dunes State Park and Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore are only 60 miles from Chicago. It is hard to believe a place so scenic is found so close to the big city.  There are six separate bands to the dunes here along the Lake Michigan shoreline. The first is Lake Michigan itself. The next five moving gradually inland include the beach, sedge grass, the actual dunes, hardwood forest, and the great swamp. This photo essay will be separated just like the geography of the dunes.

This photo essay is in honor of my upcoming trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan. Many consider this park the mack daddy of the dune parks, so I am excited to check it out as it could not be much prettier than the Indiana Dunes. It is always great to check off a new national park when adventure traveling in the United States.

Lake Michigan

One of the most beautiful freshwater lakes in the world and one of the biggest, Lake Michigan is gorgeous whether you are looking at Chicago’s skyline, Door County in Wisconsin, or any of the number of amazing dune parks found in Indiana and Michigan.

Indiana Dunes Lake Michigan

Indiana Dunes and the beautiful Lake Michigan: a true great lake

Indiana Dunes State Park

The Chicago skyline rises like a ghost in the distance

Lake Michigan Indiana Dunes

Lake Michigan from the State Park

The Beach

Most people come here for the beach. It is probably the best swimming hole near Chicago, so it is no wonder that the beautiful sandy beaches are packed on hot summer days. It does not take long to walk from the main beaches and find a slice of solitude for those who do not enjoy the crowds.

Indiana Dunes State Park

Lake Michigan beach at the State Park

Indiana Dunes State Park

A short walk down the beach and it is a little more peaceful

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

The beach on the other side of Mt. Baldy in the National Lakeshore

Sedge grass

One area of the dunes that really surprised me when I first visited was the beauty of the sedge grass in between the actual dunes and the beach. In summer it can be bright green and in the autumn golden brown.

Indiana Dunes

There are many trails here that cut through the sedge grass into the woods

Indiana Dunes State Park

Sedge grass covering the dunes

Indiana Dunes State Park

Indiana Dunes State Park

The dunes

The central feature in the Indiana Dunes State Park and National Lakeshore is of course the dunes.

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

The dunes at the West Beach in the National Lakeshore

Indiana Dunes State Park

Indiana Dunes State Park in the winter

The woods

This is as far as a lot of people get when visiting the Indiana Dunes, but there is much more in store for the adventure traveler. Many trails explore the interior through hardwood, pine wood forests, and swamps. The forest is amazingly lush with an amazing array of ferns and wildflowers. The trails through the woods are also a great place to cross-country ski in the winter.

Indiana Dunes State Park

The deep dark trusty Indiana Dunes State Park woods

Indiana Dunes State Park

The woods are great for cross-country skiing too

Indiana Dunes State Park

Ferns on steroids in the Indiana Dunes: doubtful they will ever get voted in to the fern hall of fame

The great swamp

Past the woods in the Indiana Dunes lies the remnants of the great swamp, which used to run almost the whole length of northwest Indiana. Much of it has been drained to make way for cities, but inside the Indiana Dune parks stretches of it are alive and well. For those who come in the summer, swamps mean mosquitoes and at times they can be fierce. Make sure to bring repellant if hiking in the woods or camping.

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

Long Lake in the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

Indiana Dunes State Park

Boardwalk through the swampy area in the Indiana Dunes State Park

Indiana Dunes State Park

Indiana Dunes State Park

Indiana Dunes State Park

Michigan lillies in the Indiana Dunes State Park

Stay tuned,

TT

The goal of Traveling Ted TV is to inspire people to outdoor adventure travel and then provide tips on where and how to go. If you liked this post then enter your email in the box to get email notifications for each new entry. Daily travel photos are excluded from your email in order to not flood you with posts. There is no spam and email information will not be shared. Other e-follow options include Facebook (click on the like box to the right) or twitter (click on the pretty bird on the rainbow above).

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