As part of a 50-state initiative, America’s State Parks First Day Hikes offer individuals and families an opportunity to begin the New Year with a rejuvenating healthy hike connecting with the outdoors. At the Indiana Dunes State Park we invite you to strap on your hiking boots to start this adventure at the park’s Nature Center.
Visitors will be invited to complete a 2-mile moderate loop along scenic Trail 7 to Lake Michigan. The hike will continue along the beach to Dunes Creek and through our park’s campground. Along the way you will be able to explore a variety of habitats and learn some history about the park on this approximately 1.5-hour hike.
For visitors with mobility limitations, participation in this program may be best experienced by taking the campground trail route. At the end, everyone will be welcomed by park volunteers with snacks and a cozy campfire provided by the Friends of the Indiana Dunes.
Visit the Indiana Dunes State Park, then stop by the Nature Center to pick up a free Indiana First Day Hike sticker. Wear your sticker proudly and be ready to say Happy New Year to your fellow hikers on the trail.
Wishing you a great New Years Day at Indiana State Parks – where memories are made naturally! They are open to the public after paying the park entrance fee. ($7 in-state & $12 out-of-state)
Share your photo on the Indiana State Parks Facebook page at
and use either #FirstDayHikeIN, #FindYourResolution, or #IHikedTheFirstDay to help us find your images for prize drawings that will include park passes, inn and camping gift cards, and more.
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Susie Young Baxter, CEO, has published PanoramaNOW Magazine for 31 years. Her hobbies are Camping, Boating, Hiking, Nature, Gardening and Outdoor Activities. She is an Artist, Graphic Designer, an Avid Seamstress, Dabbles in Homemade Crafts and Landscaping. Since her Father was a Health Teacher, she also likes homeopathic Health Solutions. Since blogging started over 10 years ago, PanoramaNow has been added to Newsbreak – a national news affiliate.
