On November 5, 1966, Congress passed a bill that would add 8,330 acres of dunes, wetlands (including Pinhook Bog and Cowels Bog), climatic mixed forest lands, prairie remnants and beach fronts along the southern shore of Lake Michigan in northwest Indiana to be preserved as Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, a unit of the U.S. National Park Service.
Since that time, four subsequent expansion bills (1976, 1980, 1986, and 1992) would increase the size of the national lakeshore to more than 15,000 acres.
Six years ago on this date, February 15, 2019, Congress authorized the name change from Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore to Indiana Dunes National Park.
The National Park Service consists of 433 total units with varying names in all fifty states, the District of Columbia, and our territories. Indiana Dunes National Park is the 61st unit bearing “National Park” as part of its proper name.
The FRIENDS of Indiana Dunes love and need our National Park. Our national parks need us to continue to care for and preserve them for future generations. Happy Anniversary our beloved Indiana Dunes National Park!
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Rare Inside Photos of the World’s Fair Florida Home
The State of Florida sponsored the Florida Tropical House to entice Fair Visitors to the developing vacation paradise. Architect Rober Law Weed, a Muncie Indiana Native, used the Art Deco Style popular at the time and gave the house a Flamingo Pink exterior. Boaters on Lake Michigan have long used…
Indiana Landmarks Announces the Restoration of the “House of Tomorrow”
With the support of $4 million from the Great American Outdoors Act funded through the U.S. Department of the Interior, the future of the House of Tomorrow looks bright once again. In April 2024, Indiana Landmarks and Indiana Dunes National Park launched the first phase of the landmark’s rehabilitation—restoring the structure’s exterior and…
National Park’s Cypress Log Cabin Available for Lodging
The Cypress Log Cabin is a significant piece of American history. Originally built for the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair, at the Fair’s end in 1935, the home was transported to Beverly Shores and has stood as a testament to the era’s rustic aesthetic ever since. After serving as a private home for several decades, it…
1941 Time Capsule Found at Indiana Dunes National Park
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Voyageur Rendezvous Coming To Hebron!
Take a look back into early 18th century when canoe men would travel down the great Kankakee River from Canada to trade goods with the Native inhabitants. A real part of Indiana History come to life! Come see the encampments, talk to the reenactors, hear the fife and drums, and smell the aromatic scents of time. Fun for all ages!
Peek into the lives of those who would have lived
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National Park Announces Project 1966 – Hike Every Trail
Join a ranger and hike all the trails in Indiana Dunes National Park. This hiking challenge will take place over the course of the summer with each week featuring a ranger-led hike on a different trail. There will be a total of 19 hikes covering 66 miles to honor the year, 1966, when the park was established. Can’t make them all or want to do some self-guided hikes instead? Then ask for information about the hikes at the Visitor Center, the Paul H. Douglas Center, or look on our website
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See Our Indiana Dunes Video,
narrated by indiana Dunes Naturalist Ron Seman talking about: about His Hiking Adventures at the Indiana Dunes! #Beachesandbeyond Learn about #ShirleyHeinze Land Trust #BioBlitz; Indiana Dunes National Park; #Monarch Butterflies #Migration; Salamanders; Wolf Lake Hammond In; Heron Rookery; Native Plant Sale at Friends of Indiana Dunes, Inc. Office (New Location) Porter County Parks and Recreation; Great Lakes Marsh Marsh in Miller Beach; Ambler Flatwoods Hiking Trail and Sandhill Cranes at Miller Beach, Gary, IN
The National Park Service has announced that the trail to the beach at Mount Baldy has been reopened. The trail had been closed for several weeks after storm waves washed out a portion of it leaving a dangerous, 50-foot drop off. Park crews have now completed a rerouted trail and have reopened the area.
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The Indiana Dunes “3 Dune Challenge”
Visitors from all over the world have embarked on the adventure at the Indiana Dunes State Park called the “3 Dune Challenge.” It’s one of the most memorable activities that vacationers remember about their visit to Northwest Indiana.
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Indiana Features 7 Best Birding Sites
Indiana’s diverse habitats are home to over 400 documented bird species, making it the perfect place for a birding adventure. The birding experiences won’t disappoint, from the one-of-a-kind migration of Sandhill Cranes to Bald Eagles perched atop tree-tops. Luckily, the Indiana Audubon Society recently created the Indiana Birding Trail, featuring 64 great bird watching locations. The trail guide covers everything you need to know on each area, including eco-regions, climate influences, bird species, and more. Below, we have outlined every site in NORTHWEST INDIANA on the Indiana Birding Trail.
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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.
