Springtime in the Indiana Dunes State Park

Apr 17, 2024

With the spring sunshine and lengthening days, we’re hankering to get out there and enjoy nature! Today, we’re sharing a great guide for super springtime sites and activities in the Indiana Dunes State Park. Located along the southern shores of Lake Michigan, you’ll find no shortage of outdoor thrills and activities here all year round! From exploring the sand dunes to hiking the trails to biking and bird watching, there’s something for every outdoor enthusiast. Spring is the perfect time to visit, too, as you’ll avoid the heavy crowds of summer tourism and be able to enjoy a nice peaceful visit.

Have you been to the Indiana Dunes National or State Parks? Tell us about your favorite things to see or trails to hike in the comments!

Let’s take a look at some of the top attractions and activities to try while you’re there!

The Cowles Bog Trail is a moderately challenging almost 5 mile loop near Dune Acres, shaped like a balloon on a string with a straightaway and then a loop. This gorgeous trail walks along the marsh and through the woodlands leading to the lake. It has a beautiful boardwalk and trail through several habitats with plenty of animals and birds to observe! In the spring, you’ll notice the ferns unfurling and wildflowers blossoming, making a beautiful painterly backdrop. There are some hills on the route, so it may be challenging to some visitors. You’ll observe marshes, wetlands, woodlands, shoreline, and beach habitats, so get that camera ready to spot some beautiful creatures along the way.
Enjoy some Wildflower spotting along Heron Rookery Trail, Paul H Douglas Trai, and Tolleston Dunes Trail. Flowers in these areas are in peak bloom in late April and mid-May, though some flowers linger until June! Flowers in this area include violents, buttercups, wild ginger, spring beauty plants, dutchman breeches,wild lupine, butterfly weed, prickly pear cactus, and more!
Traditional GeoCaching and EarthCaches are available for adventure seekers of all ages! With traditional geocaching, visitors can go on a hunt for secret areas with different locations, then take a picture and sign the guest book to mark their visit. Some geocachers also leave behind small treasures in the hidden containers for others to find. EarhCaches are special locations that you can visit with unique characteristics and find educational notes with fun facts and make their own scientific observations. Experimental and unique caching options such as Lab Caches and Virtual Caches are limited, but are located at various locations in the park and surrounding areas. Caching sites are located at Chellberg Farm, Mt Baldy, Kemil Beach, Cowles Bog, Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk, West Beach, Miller Woods.
Explore the Bailly Homestead National Historic Landmark and Chellberg Farm. This trail allows you to visit two historic sites in one fell swoop.Once the home of Joseph Bailly de Messein, a fur trader and one of the first settlers in the region whose trading post served as a meeting point for those traveling between Detroit and Chicago. The trail here is about 2.5 miles, leading you past the homestead and cemetery and through the forests and on to the farm. You’ll follow a stretch of the Little Calumet River, and check out the recently restored Mnoke Prairie! The Chellberg Family were swedish immigrants who farmed the land from 1870 through the early 1900s. It’s a live working farm, and you can also enjoy tours!
Visit the Little Calumet River Water Trail or walk along the 15 miles of beaches on the shores of Lake Michigan to catch fantastic spots for fishing, kayaking, paddling, and other aquatic pursuits. For those who prefer to stay on dry land, you’ll enjoy a wide array of hiking and biking trails nearby that are perfect for picnics and camping as well.