Dayhike at the Dunes

“Decided to post on the trip page for everyone.”

“Park opens at 7AM on Saturday for anyone wanting to get there early. The ranger said that what snow they got is mostly gone and should be by Saturday.”

“Bump”

“I'll be there! 9-ish.”

“I want to make sure that the visitor center is where I think it is. To get there I'll pass the little red caboose hot dog stand; right? I get there by taking 12/20 to the Porter/Lake county line?

And the visitor center is right at the parking lot where the looooong sidewalk starts to walk to the beach?

Or is it a different one?”

“I don't think those are the same trails I was think of Vic. We can try where you are thinking, I have never been there though.

I was talking about Dunes State park. Take 80/94 to the Chesterton exit (state road 49) and exit North. Drive until you hit the toll booth, maybe 5 miles, pay 4 bucks and turn right at the first street. Take that road about 1 or 2 miles back past the campground and take a left just past. That will be the visitor's center.

E-mail me if you have any questions.”

“No, Let's go where you are talking about. I have never gone there, but have wanted to. And that will be closer for South Bend people if they decide to come.

If time permits, I might make a trip to Adventure Outdoors on the way home to do a little shopping.”

“Nice, I have not been there in awhile. I may bring the dog, do you mind?

She is pretty behaved”

“So let me ask again; is this Dunes place pretty cool? How about for camping? CMB kind of poopooed the place when I asked him about it.”

“Hey, this is actually close to Thinkbubelz & me!!!!

Can't make it this weekend, but if you decide to go again in a month or 2, we might join you! :-)”

“Bring the dog! I'll bring your fleece bag that I borrowed.

Nigal, I have not hiked this part of the park. My understanding is that it's good for dayhikes. There is a campground. I seem to remember that it was closed for renovations last summer. Not sure if it's open now or not. You could probably make this a weekend destination by car camping. I'm sure there are plenty of trails to explore plus there's the beach to walk on. You just have to know that you won't ever be in the "back country." I bet that the park this time of year probably doesn't have too many visitors. I think the majority go in the summer for the beach.

My 4-year-old will be turning 5 in April, and he asked if his birthday party this year could have a camping theme. Gotta love him! So my plan is to host a birthday party at the Dunes campground, roast hot dogs, make s'mores, have a scavenger hunt, etc. on a Saturday afternoon. Then my sons and I will stay the night in the tent and invite anyone else who wishes to join us.”

“Yeah I was thinking along the lines of kar kamping and laying on the beach drinking beer kind of trips.”

“This place is perfect for that!

I have gone out there on a cool summer night with people and sat around a campfire on the beach while they played drums and guitar. Beautiful nights. I don't remember now if the campfire was allowed on the beach or if we were breaking the rules though.”

“It's a good place to get away for family and kar camping. Lots of day hiking opportunities. You won't be alone, but my experience others will leave you alone.

There are a number of beaches to plant yourself.”

“They are totally re-doing the entire campground too! I think it will be ready this summer for camping.”

“Just got the 411 on the Dunes State Park from the ranger this morning. The campground might be open sometime in May, with a drop dead for certain open date of June 4.

There is also campground at next-door neighbor Dunes National Lakeshore. Don't know the seasonal status of that plase though.

It costs $4/day or $24/annual for a state-wide pass.

Nigal, I picked up a map for you, which I will mail today.

The hikes are great for dayhiking. Definitely not mamby-pamby. We encounterd quite a few trail runners this morning. The sand and snow and dunes combination gave us a good workout.”

“Good workout was right! I aggravated the right knee on the hike which makes me afraid that I am going to have to go back to the doctor.

I am not going to give up yet. I will try some more dayhikes and see how she holds up.

On a different note, I took my dog with on the hike and she did a lot better than I though she would. I am giving it some serious thought about a weekend trip with her to see how she likes it.

Good hiking with you Vicki!”

“i was hiking on the dunes about and hour north in MI the ice is really cool”

“Thanks, Brian, for the great hike to start my day!

Photoguy, wasn't the ice cool today? We mentioned how cool the floating mini-icebergs were today.


What a freaking GORGEOUS day it was today!!!!!!”

“Glad you had a great time. Sorry I couldn't join you.”