One Hour From Chicago! Vibrant Beaches And Adventure Await In Lesser-Known National Park

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Chicago may be known as the “Windy City”, but it becomes a sweltering scorcher come summertime.

While people traditionally don’t view the Midwest as a beach haven, beautifully blue Lake Michigan is an exception to the rule.

As such, Chicago takes on a whole new vibe this time of year, where locals and tourists alike flock to the lake’s vibrant shores to avoid the beaming sun on the Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier rides, and the Bean’s line of sunburnt selfie-takers.

Good news is you can flick the Bean aside and escape the urban madness for a peaceful trip just an hour away to a lesser-known national park with golden-sand beaches and fewer crowds.

Those visiting or living in Chicago this summer should consider crossing state lines into Indiana to visit quite possibly the most underrated day trip from the city, Indiana Dunes National Park.

15 Miles Of Vibrant Shores

Who needs to deal with the hassle of TSA and the new money-grabbing Real ID law when all you have to do is set aside an hour to score prime real estate along vivid blue waters?

That’s the case for Chicagoans and the hordes of tourists surely to flock to one of America’s most iconic cities as it’s set for a record-breaking summer.

With line-out-the-door crowds invading deep-dish pizza restaurants and limited shorelines amongst the snug cityscape, Indiana Dunes makes for the best getaway to avoid the city bustle.

While this national park isn’t exactly a top secret, it’s certainly far less known than Chicago. You can expect to find a place to park your butt beachside with ample space to catch up on a new read or podcast while working on your tan.

Indiana Dunes boasts 15 miles of shoreline encompassing 9 separate beaches, so you’re all but guaranteed to find the perfect spot in this lakeside slice of paradise.

In fact, you’ll find the coast here not only to be virtually spotless, but making it more impressive is the fact it’s the fifth largest freshwater lake in the world.

Not only that, but Indiana Dunes lives up to its name with some of the world’s biggest lakeside dunes, most notably Mount Baldy, a 125-foot “living dune” sculpted by glacial sand mounds.

Don’t miss the Annual Sand Sculpture Contest slated for July 12th.

Summer Safety Hazards

Despite its beauty, travelers should be aware not to fall for Indiana Dunes’ looks alone, like a date with one of those creeps featured on all those Lifetime specials — rip currents can sweep you away faster than my charm on prom night.

There have been E. coli hazards in the past too, so it’s best to double check before planning which beach you visit this summer.

Lifeguards are stationed at the following beaches during busy summer months:

• West Beach (within Indiana Dunes National Park)
• Indiana Dunes State Park (designated swimming beach)

Adventure Is Calling! Explore 50 Miles Of Scenic Trails

Indiana Dunes isn’t just a beach haven; it’s jam-packed with natural attractions and surprising history as it was once home to European immigrants, and digging even further, the homeland for Potawatomi Indigenous Peoples, which can be explored and understood on the park’s Indigenous Cultural Trail.

Moreover, with 50 miles of scenic trails zigging and zagging through lush landscapes and elevated outlooks, this park offers a diversity of adventures through ancient forests, rugged canyons, open prairies, and yes, aforementioned dunes.

Better yet, as summer humidity blankets Chicago, temperatures here don’t typically go beyond the low 80s, becoming much more enjoyable with breezy shores and fewer visitors.

Where To Stay

Indiana Dunes does not offer accommodations on park grounds, but finding a comfortable place to stay is still relatively easy, with numerous charming small towns nearby.

One place you’ll want to avoid is Gary, a run-down city past its heyday and often cited as one of America’s most crime-ridden destinations.

That being said, this region of the Midwest is largely safe as long as you avoid the no-go zones of Gary. The lovely towns of Beverly Shores and Michigan City are close by, all offering cozy cabins, old-timey inns, and typical 3-star chain hotels to get you by.

Indiana Dunes makes for a great day trip or weekend getaway from Chicago, and it likely has cheaper hotels than the household names filling the skyline.

For sample size, the flashy Blue Chip Casino Hotel Spa in Michigan City is going for $96 throughout the summer.

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Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.