Indiana

Indiana Dunes National Park brings Lake Michigan beaches and sand climbs, while Brown County State Park offers rolling forest. The dunes are especially…

Indiana Dunes National Park brings Lake Michigan beaches and sand climbs, while Brown County State Park offers rolling forest. The dunes are especially striking at sunrise.

Why Indiana offers two very different hikes

Indiana surprises hikers by offering two landscapes that feel like different trips. On Lake Michigan, Indiana Dunes combines beaches, steep sand climbs, and wetlands in one compact national park. Inland, Brown County State Park offers rolling, forested hills and ridges that shine in fall. Choosing between open lake views and sheltered woods is really choosing the kind of day you want.

What to do, step by step

1. Pick your setting first: dunes and lake shore for wide views and a workout in soft sand, or Brown County forest trails for shade, hills, and fall color.
2. Check weather and lake conditions before you go. Wind and storms off Lake Michigan can arrive fast, and exposed sand offers little shelter when they do.
3. Bring more water than the distance suggests. Climbing in sand takes far more effort than the same climb on firm trail, and it is easy to underestimate.
4. Protect your feet and skin: sand gets into shoes, reflects strong sun, and can be hot at midday. Sunscreen and a hat help.
5. Leave no trace and respect closures: stay on marked paths in fragile dune areas, pack out all trash, and give nesting and restored areas the space they need.