Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Merrillville, IN

PORTER. A designated National Lakeshore, Lake Michigan's southern shoreline includes some 15,000 acres of dune, prairie,...

PORTER. A designated National Lakeshore, Lake Michigan's southern shoreline includes some 15,000 acres of dune, prairie, savannah, wetland, and forest terrains in Lake, LaPorte, and Porter Counties. A must for those visiting Northwest Indiana, the dunes region offers a rich array of plant and animal life, not to mention unique natural features like Mount Baldy, a 120-plus-foot "living dune." Summertime finds many visitors enjoying the park's wide, sandy beaches, and the winter season brings cross-country skiers. In addition, the park features historic sites, including a French cabin dating to the 1830s.

Hours: Daily 8am-6pm Hours May Vary Seasonally

Payment Methods: Cash Only

CHESTERTON. Some of Indiana's more noteworthy natural features are dunes on Lake Michigan's extreme southern shore, part...

CHESTERTON. Some of Indiana's more noteworthy natural features are dunes on Lake Michigan's extreme southern shore, part of which are protected by the state's Department of Natural Resources. During the summer, the 2100-plus-acre park is a haven for hikers and bird-watching enthusiasts, who "flock" here to glimpse the colorful array of migratory species who make the dunes their summer retreat. Winter, too, is not overlooked, as thousands take advantage of terrific cross-country skiing. The park's nature center offers interpretative and historical information on the dunes area.

Hours: Daily 8am-4:30pm Hours May Vary Seasonally

Payment Methods: Cash Only