THE GOVERNMENT NEWS DESKPERMANENT NPS STORY ARCHIVE
Organized by publication date and destination. Each story retains its permanent State & Nation address and official NPS source.
PORTER, Ind. — Indiana Dunes National Park recently celebrated the release of more than 1,600 native fatmucket mussels (Lampsilis siliquoidea) into the East Branch of the Little Calumet River.
Official NPS sourceRestoration Made Possible by Great American Outdoors Act Legacy Restoration Fund - PORTER, Ind. — Indiana Dunes National Park today celebrated the completion of the Good Fellow Camp Lodge rehabilitation project, part of a $25.4 million effort to rehabilitate historic structures across the park.
Official NPS sourcePORTER, Ind. — A newly released federal report highlights both the scale of visitation and the wide range of recreational experiences at Indiana Dunes National Park.
Official NPS sourceMICHIGAN CITY, Ind. — Indiana Dunes National Park will reopen the Mount Baldy access site to the public Monday, June 15. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently completed work to move approximately 27,000 tons of sand at Mount Baldy as part of ongoing shoreline management efforts.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service plans to conduct eight prescribed fires this Spring starting Monday, Feb. 28.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK, Ind.-- Indiana Dunes National Park is excited to announce a competitive selection process for a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) to operate the concession stand at the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Pavilion. The CUA will permit food, beverage, and light retail sales at the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Pavilion in Portage, Indiana.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: The National Park Service plans to conduct eight prescribed fires at Indiana Dunes National Park this spring. Approximately 1,534 acres are planned to be burned as part of the park’s natural resources and fuels management programs. The prescribed fires will occur between March 1 and April 30 as appropriate weather conditions allow.
Official NPS sourcePORTER, IN – Indiana Dunes National Park is pleased to announce the application period for the two competitively selected Commercial Use Authorizations (CUA) providing snack bar services. The concession stands, strategically positioned at two of the park's most frequented locations, West Beach and Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk, play a crucial role in providing essential amenities to the park’s roughly 2 million annual visitors. The competitive selection process emphasizes criteria such as sustainability practices, menu diversity, retail convenience items, and customer service standards.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Beginning on August 2nd, the hours of operation for Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk at Indiana Dunes National Park will be temporarily shortened to 8:00 am – 9:00 pm due to a spike in overnight vandalism and illegal beach fires. Gates will be locked at 9:00 pm and remaining vehicles will not be able to be retrieved until the following day.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join rangers from the National Park Service and volunteers from Indiana Dunes National Park on July 13th for the annual Chicago Day program at East Troy Railroad Museum in Wisconsin and learn about the story of the Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad and it’s part in the Indiana Dunes. The East Troy Railroad Museum owns nine South Shore cars, with six of them in regular service, and a seventh being restored now. Visitors will have the chance to ride on the restored South Shore cars, several of which were donated to the museum by the National Park Service in 2010. Younger visitors can earn a Junior Ranger award and East Troy Electric Railroad pin after completing a Junior Ranger program during the event.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: On July 18th, the dedication of Indiana's 2nd official Shipwreck Nature Preserve - the "Muskegon" will take place just offshore from Indiana Dunes National Park’s Mount Baldy. Dr. Charles Beeker and colleagues from Indiana University's Center for Underwater Science, along with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and National Park Service staff, will visit the site to install a mooring buoy, place a bronze commemorative plaque, and collect high-quality underwater photos and footage.
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In a groundbreaking collaboration, Terrain360, the National Park Service’s (NPS) Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, and the Lewis and Clark Trust, Inc. is proud to announce a project that aims to map a portion of the Yellowstone River. The mapping will use state-of-the art 360° ultra-high-definition spherical imagery to capture 507 miles of river starting just south of Livingston, Montana to the confluence of the Missouri-Yellowstone Rivers. This monumental endeavor will generate over 1 million ultra-high-resolution images, providing an unparalleled view of this historically significant river.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Expand your knowledge and join fellow nature enthusiasts for a night of educational fun and wonder. Science Fridays at Indiana Dunes National Park is a monthly series of presentations given by subject matter experts with a different topic each month.
Official NPS sourceIndiana Dunes National Park has become an increasingly popular destination for local boaters. Lake Michigan can be a dangerous place. It is important for boat operators to follow national park regulations to help keep themselves and swimmers safe. All waters within 300 feet of the national park’s shoreline are under national park rules, regulations, and fee requirements.
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Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail has released its 2023 Annual Report. The report documents a year of work with partners across the U.S. to commemorate and protect the 4,900-mile-long historic route of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Celebrate Earth Day and show your support for environmental protection on Monday, April 22, from 9:00 a.m-12:00 pm, by spending the morning at the Indiana Dunes National Park’s 3rd annual Earth Day Cleanup. Family, friends, neighbors, and park employees will join forces to collect a winter’s worth of trash and debris from roadsides, beaches, the Little Calumet River, and trails throughout the area to help beautify the parks and make the region a cleaner place to live.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Your fee dollars are at work on stunning Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Pavilion at Indiana Dunes National Park. The interior of the pavilion will receive a fresh coat of paint and a new flooring will be installed. Cabinets will also be constructed in the classroom area. The construction will close the facility to the public immediately and will continue through March 31st, 2024. Access to the beach, trails, and breakwater will still be available to the public during the renovation work.
Official NPS sourceLincoln Boyhood National Memorial has teamed up with the National Science Foundation for hands-on activities and formal space science presentations that will take place at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial Visitor Center. Join us for activities throughout the weekend including a night sky event, special Junior Ranger programs, and make and take “SpaceCrafts”.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Celebrate the migration of birdlife through the Indiana Dunes region from May 16-19 at the 10th annual Indiana Dunes Birding Festiva, organized by Indiana Audubon in collaboration with the Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana Dunes State Park, and Indiana Dunes Tourism.
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OMAHA, Neb. — The National Park Service (NPS) has selected Jason Taylor as the new superintendent of Indiana Dunes National Park in Porter, Indiana. Taylor is an experienced resource and land management leader who currently serves as the Director of the Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute (ALWRI) for the United States Forest Service (USFS) located in Missoula, Montana. He will assume his new role at Indiana Dunes later this spring.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Calling all nerds! Expand your knowledge and join fellow nature enthusiasts for a night of education and wonder. There will be a series of presentations given by subject matter experts with each month covering a different topic. For more information and a list of topics visit www.nps.gov/indu or call 1-219-395-1882. On Friday, March 15 from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, join Dr Spencer Cortwright, from Indiana University Northwest, for a presentation about the life and times of Midwest amphibians. Learn about the different species in our area, ideal features of their wetland and terrestrial habitats, how they choose their mates and perform mating and egg-laying, how their offspring survive, and more. The Indiana Dunes Visitor Center is located at 1215 North State Road 49, about one mile north of Interstate 94. For more information on this and other programs at Indiana Dunes National Park, call 219-395-1882, visit our website, download the official National Park Service app, or view our Facebook page. www.nps.gov www.nps.gov The Indiana Dunes National Park is one of more than 400 units of the National Park System ranging from Yellowstone to the Statue of Liberty. Located in Northwest Indiana, the park includes 15 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and 15,000 acres of biodiverse beaches, woods, prairies, and marshes. Over 3 million visitors come to the Indiana Dunes each year.
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Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial seeks high school age students for paid summer jobs.
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The Living Historical Farm at Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial is about to undergo a transformative rehabilitation project thanks to funding provided by the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) Legacy Restoration Fund.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join nature photographer Mark Chantell on Sunday February 11 from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm at Indiana Dunes National Park’s Paul H. Douglas Center for a workshop on winter nature photography, with an emphasis on closeup imaging.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a birding expert from the Dunes-Calumet Audubon Society on Saturday, February 3rd and March 2nd from 8:30 am to 10:30 am at Indiana Dunes National Park. Look for and learn to identify some of the water birds visiting Lake Michigan. Meet at the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Pavilion. No experience required. Bring your binoculars and chairs to view numerous bird species in the water or over the lake. Be prepared for a variety of winter weather.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Tune up your vocal cords for a night of music and singing on Friday, January 19, from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service is requesting expressions of interest (RFEI) in developing the historic Bailly Homestead within Indiana Dunes National Park. The RFEI allows interested parties an opportunity to review the property, facilities, and park area and to submit their concept(s) of potential future use of the facility, considering the park’s purpose and building’s significance.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a ranger for a late afternoon hike on the Indiana Dunes National Park’s Dune Ridge Trail on Thursday, December 21, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
Official NPS sourceIndiana Dunes National Park through the Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) program. Approved services include guided hikes, overnight group camping, photography lessons, fitness classes, guided kayaking or canoeing through the Little Calumet River, equipment rentals, or even food trucks at many of the park’s locations.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Instead of shopping on Black Friday, opt outside for an expert-led, family-friendly hike and beach cleanup at Indiana Dunes National Park on Friday, November 24, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at West Beach. Co-sponsored by Save the Dunes, the interactive hike will be led by regional experts in fields such as birding, botany, insects, geology, and ecology.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join the Michiana Astronomical Society as they share their telescopes and introduce visitors to the night sky on Saturday, November 18, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm Central Time at Indiana Dunes National Park’s Kemil Beach parking lot. Kemil Beach is one of the darkest locations in the region and is ideal for stargazing. Dress for the weather.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Tune up your vocal cords for a night of music and singing on Friday, November 17, from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a ranger on Sunday, November 5, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, for stories about shipwrecks of the Great Lakes. Learn what makes the storms in November so treacherous and the Great Lakes so deadly. Lake Michigan alone has approximately 6,000 shipwrecks resting in its depths including several near the Indiana Dunes.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service is preparing a draft Environmental Assessment for the Marquette Greenway Trail - Calumet Trail Reroute Segment for Indiana Dunes National Park and is seeking public comment.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Enjoy a weekend of fun at the historic Chellberg Farm at Indiana Dunes National Park. Co-sponsored by the Friends of Indiana Dunes, the Duneland Fall Festival takes place on September 16th and 17th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Admission is free to the national park on both days so everyone can enjoy the fun.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Improvements are coming to the popular Lake View picnic facility and beach access site at Indiana Dunes National Park. The existing Lake View site does not provide accessible public beach access or seating due to storm damage and past mechanical issues. An accessible concrete ramp and other improvements will be added during a construction project scheduled to begin in September. The construction will close the facility to the public immediately after Labor Day and will continue until Memorial Day weekend, 2024.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join fellow equestrians on Tuesday, September 12, at Indiana Dunes National Park’s West Beach, for an extremely rare chance to ride on a beach of Lake Michigan. BYOH (Bring your own horse).
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Tune up your vocal cords for a night of music and singing on Friday, August 18, from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Get out and explore Indiana Dunes National Park through a wide variety of programs offered all summer long. In addition to these weekday programs, there are others offered every day in August, including ranger-guided hikes, education booths, open houses, special events and festivals.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a ranger every Sunday and Friday in August to hike up Mount Baldy. Meet at the Mount Baldy parking lot on Friday evenings from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm or Sunday mornings from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. Mount Baldy is closed for general public use due to public safety and restoration concerns, but these ranger-led hikes allow visitors to safely experience the spectacular views from the top of the most iconic dune in the national park.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Get out and explore Indiana Dunes National Park through a wide variety of ranger-led programs offered all summer long. In addition to these Saturday programs, there are programs every day of the week, including guided hikes, education booths, open houses, special events and festivals.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a ranger at the historic Chellberg Farm for a day of exploration and fun. Multiple programs will take place throughout the day, every Sunday in August.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a birding expert from the Dunes-Calumet Audubon Society on Sunday, August 6 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am for a birding hike. Meet inside the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center and drive to the birding spot of the month. No experience required. Bring binoculars and dress for the weather.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a ranger as they hike all the trails in Indiana Dunes National Park. The challenge is taking place over the course of the summer with each week featuring a new trail. There will be a total of 19 hikes covering 66 miles to honor the year the park was established. Can’t make them all or want to do a self-guided hike? Ask for information about the hikes at the park’s Visitor Center, the Paul H. Douglas Center, or look on our website for a link to Project 1966. The hike will take place every Saturday in August starting at 8:00 am. There is a different meeting location each week.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a local artist from the Art Barn at Indiana Dunes National Park and learn how to create your own dunes-inspired painting. This class will be held at the park’s Paul H. Douglas Center on Saturday, August 12, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. There is a fee and reservations are required in advance at www.artbarnschool.org.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Celebrate National Aviation Day at Indiana Dunes National Park and learn about Octave Chanute’s pioneering glider flights in the dunes. Join in the fun on Saturday, August 19 from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center.
Official NPS sourceGeorge Rogers Clark National Historical Park seeks public comment on draft accessibility plan. Your input continues to be important to the planning process and will help us as we work to ensure the park is more accessible to all visitors. The National Park Service values your interest, and we look forward to your participation in this planning process.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: National Park Service rangers and volunteers from Indiana Dunes National Park will co-host "Chicago Day" at the East Troy (Wisconsin) Railroad Museum on July 15th. Learn about the story of the Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad, which has stopped at stations along the Indiana Dunes for 115 years. Ride on restored South Shore train cars, several of which were donated to the museum by the National Park Service in 2010. Younger visitors can earn a Junior Ranger award and East Troy Electric Railroad pin during the event.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a ranger at the historic Chellberg Farm for an afternoon of exploration and fun. The farmhouse is open to the public every day in July, from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm. Rangers and volunteers will be on hand to share the area’s history. Also, be sure to visit the animals out in the farmyard before or after the open house.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a ranger every Sunday and Friday in July to enjoy spectacular views from the top of one of the tallest dunes in the national park. Meet at the Mount Baldy parking lot on Friday evenings from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm or on Sunday mornings from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. Mount Baldy is closed for general public use due to public safety and restoration concerns, but these ranger-led hikes allow visitors to safely experience this great park resource.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a ranger as they hike all of the trails in the national park. The challenge will take place over the course of the summer with each week featuring a new trail. There will be a total of 19 hikes covering 66 miles to honor the year the park was established. Can’t make them all or want to do a self-guided hike? Ask for information about the hikes at the Visitor Center, the Paul H. Douglas Center, or look on our website for a link to Project 1966. The hike will take place every Saturday in July starting at 8:00 am. There will be a different meeting location each week.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Get out and explore the park through the wide variety of programs offered all summer long. There will be programs every day of the week throughout the National Park, including ranger guided hikes, education booths, open houses, special events and festivals.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Celebrate Pollinator Week at Indiana Dunes National Park and learn how you can help protect butterflies, bees and the other pollinators that are critical for a healthy world. A week of hikes, talks and other activities will culminate with a dedication ceremony of the new interactive Pollinator Trail in the national park’s Miller Woods on Saturday, June 24th at 1:00 pm. This day will also feature half-hour kids hikes at 11:00 am and 1:30 pm, an hour-long hike of Miller Woods at 2:00 pm, a Pollinator/Native Gardening talk presented by Save the Dunes from 11:00 am -11:45 am, a Junior Pollinator worksheet and arts and crafts activities, as well as food vendors in the parking lot. he Friends of Indiana Dunes and Save the Dunes will also have information to share about their organizations.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Engaging students in water quality investigations provides an opportunity for hands-on learning and can foster environmental stewardship. Learn methods for incorporating water quality education with youth during a free educator workshop hosted by Indiana Dunes National Park in partnership with Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant and Indiana University Northwest. The workshop is on July 27 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. CDT at the Paul H. Douglas Center at 100 North Lake Street in the Miller section of Gary, Indiana.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a ranger and hike all of the trails in Indiana Dunes National Park. The challenge will take place over the course of the summer with each week featuring a new trail. There will be a total of 19 hikes covering 66 miles to honor the year the park was established. Can’t make them all or want to do a self-guided hike? Ask for information about the hikes at the Visitor Center, the Paul H. Douglas Center, or look on our website for a link to Project 1966. The hike will take place every Saturday in June from 8:00 am to 11:00 am. There will be a different meeting location each week.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Take a self-guided hike into the amazing Pinhook Bog every Saturday in June from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Rangers and volunteers will be stationed along the trail to help you understand this unique remnant of the last ice age that is filled with interesting plant life, like carnivorous insect-eating plants and orchids. Allow one hour to walk the trail and tour the quaking bog. Please arrive before 4:00 pm to allow enough time to complete the tour. Dogs are not permitted inside the bog.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a birding expert from the Dunes-Calumet Audubon Society on Sunday, June 4 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am for a migration birding hike. Meet inside the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center and carpool to the birding spot of the month. No experience required. Bring binoculars and dress for the weather.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Everyone is invited to the Indiana Dunes National Park’s visitor center on Friday, June 2nd at 6:30 pm for a special screening of the PBS TV show, SciGirls. This episode, “Dragonfly Detectives,” was filmed at the national park and features local girls, Logan, Luci, and Saloni as they investigate how dragonflies help the park’s scientists monitor water quality.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a ranger and fellow visitors to honor the Memorial Day Holiday with a screening of Vietnam Nurses at the Indiana Dunes National Park visitor center auditorium on Monday, May 29, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a ranger for a morning stroll along the sandy shore of Lake Michigan at Central Avenue Beach on Tuesday, May 30 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. Learn about the origins of the Great Lakes and the Indiana Dunes while scanning the beach to see what kind of interesting things got washed up. There is a sandy slope down and up from the beach. Meet at the Central Avenue Beach parking lot.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Come out and help a ranger feed the farm animals on Sundays from 4:30 pm to 5:00 pm, at Indiana Dunes National Park’s historic Chellberg Farm. The first feeding program is on May 28th and they continue throughout the summer every Sunday at 4:30 pm.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Grow your plant knowledge and plan out your own native flower garden while you learn about the diverse plant life that grows throughout the Indiana Dunes. Renowned botanists Steve Sass and Nate Scheerer will be sharing their expertise at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center during two different programs.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Please join staff and fellow gardening enthusiasts on Sunday, May 14, 21 and 28 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, to help the Chellberg Farm Garden get off to a great start. Gardening is a great way to spend a morning outdoors at your local national park. Wear comfortable clothes. Work gloves and equipment will be provided. Insect repellent and sunscreen are recommended.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Bring your four-legged friend and join a ranger to learn how your dog can become a B.A.R.K. ranger on Wednesday May 17, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. After getting sworn in, take your furry companion for a hike on one of the nearby trails. This program is sponsored by Friends of Indiana Dunes. For more information on how to join this group of park supporters, visit dunefriends.org.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: On Sunday, May 14, 21 and 28, from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm, join a ranger and meander through a beech maple forest while learning about the area’s history and the early settlers and farmers who came to this region in the 1800s. Explore the Bailly Homestead and Cemetery, and Chellberg Farm. Meet at the Chellberg Farm parking lot.
Official NPS sourceLearn about the birds of Poland at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center on Wednesday, May 10th from 6:00 – 7:00 pm.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a ranger for a hike through the Indiana Dunes National Park’s exceptional Miller Woods Sunday May 7, 14, 21 and 28, from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm, starting at the Paul H. Douglas Center. The hike follows the Paul H. Douglas Trail and showcases various habitats, including globally rare black oak savanna, interdunal ponds, wetlands, and towering sand dunes that offer incredible views of Lake Michigan and Chicago. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a local artist and instructor from the Art Barn for Art in the Park. This event will be held at the Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education on Saturday, May 13, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Learn how to paint your own dunes-inspired painting. There is a fee of $15 for supplies and reservations are required in advance at www.artbarnschool.org.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a birding expert from the Dunes-Calumet Audubon Society on Sunday, May 7 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am for a migration birding hike. Meet inside the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center and carpool to the birding spot of the month. No experience required. Bring binoculars and dress for the weather.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a ranger at Indiana Dunes National Park’s Heron Rookery on Saturday, April 22 or April 29, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm for a two-hour hike to see what woodland flowers are blooming. The Heron Rookery is one of the best locations in the region to see spring wildflowers. Be prepared for muddy conditions.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a ranger on Sunday April 23, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, for an opportunity to climb to the top of the famous Mount Baldy. Mount Baldy is closed for general public use due to public safety and restoration concerns, so this ranger-led hike allows visitors to safely experience the beauty and spectacular views from the top of one of the tallest dunes in the national park.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: The Paul H. Douglas Center at Indiana Dunes National Park has been closed for several months due to extensive renovations. Celebrate its reopening on Earth Day, April 22nd, from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm with a variety of family-friendly activities.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service Teacher Ranger Teacher program is an extended professional development opportunity for K-12 schoolteachers to learn about the resources and educational materials available through the National Park Service.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a ranger for a hike through the Indiana Dunes National Park’s exceptional Miller Woods Sunday April 9, 16, 23 and 30, from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm, starting at the Paul H. Douglas Center. The hike follows the Paul H. Douglas Trail and showcases various habitats, including globally rare black oak savanna, interdunal ponds, wetlands, and towering sand dunes that offer incredible views of Lake Michigan and Chicago.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service is planning to conduct two prescribed fires this spring at Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial totaling approximately 40 acres.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a ranger at Indiana Dunes National Park’s Heron Rookery on Sunday, March 19 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm for a two-hour hike to celebrate the first day of spring and discover what woodland flowers are blooming. The Heron Rookery is perhaps the best location in the region to see spring wildflowers. Meet in the Heron Rookery east parking lot.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: The National Park Service is planning to conduct six prescribed fires this spring at Indiana Dunes National Park totaling more than 900 acres.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: On Saturday, March 18 and 25, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, join a ranger and meander through a beech maple forest while learning about the area’s history and the early settlers and farmers who came to this region in the 1800s. Explore the Bailly Homestead and Cemetery, and Chellberg Farm. Meet at the Chellberg Farm parking lot.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Tune up your vocal cords for a night of music and singing on Friday, March 17, from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center.
Official NPS sourcePORTER, IN – Indiana Dunes National Park is looking for service providers for two competitive Commercial Use Authorizations (CUA) to provide concession services for visitors for calendar years 2023 and 2024. The park is currently seeking applications from interested parties to compete for food & beverage and retail sales CUAs at either one or both the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk and West Beach concession stands, both located in Portage, Indiana. Separate applications must be submitted for both locations.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Spring is on its way and that means it’s Maple Sugar Time at Indiana Dunes National Park’s historic Chellberg Farm. This family-friendly festival on March 11 & 12, from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, is free to attend thanks to the generous support of the Friends of Indiana Dunes, Inc. and the suspension of entrance fees for the weekend.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a ranger at Indiana Dunes National Park on Sunday February 12, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, for a hike to the top of famous Mount Baldy. Even though the dune is closed for general public use, this ranger-led tour will allow visitors to experience the beauty and spectacular views from the tallest dune in the national park. No reservation is required. We will hold the hike regardless of weather conditions and are hoping for a snowy winter wonderland.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: The National Park Service is seeking interest in obtaining short-term housing in communities near Indiana Dunes National Park for their seasonal workforce of park rangers, guides, maintenance workers, and research aids. Indiana Dunes National Park, in Porter, Indiana, is interested in leasing housing for employee use for up to one year. Furnished multiple-bedroom units are preferred, but we will consider all proposals.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: View the dunes as you’ve never seen them before. Enjoy a special art exhibit, “Sense of Place: Works from the Artists-in-Residence of Indiana Dunes National Park.” This art, created in the park, will be displayed from January 17 to March 1, 2023, at the Chesterton Art Center. The exhibit is a survey of more than 30 creations, including works from the 2021 and 2022 that have not yet been seen by the public. In addition, an open artist reception will be held on January 21, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm. This free exhibit and reception are graciously hosted by the Chesterton Art Center with generous financial support from the Friends of Indiana Dunes.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: To celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his call for service to the community, the National Park Service and the Friends of Indiana Dunes are sponsoring a food drive. Bring canned or other non-perishable foods to the parking lot of the Paul H. Douglas Center or the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center on Saturday, January 14th between 9:00 am - 12:00 pm.
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Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail is pleased to share its 2022 Annual Report. Highlights include a collaborative panoramic mapping project, the National Freeman Tilden Award, Lewis and Clark Trail resource documentation, web and NPS mobile app updates, and the yearly spending and projects report.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Escape the cold and join a ranger and fellow visitors on Saturdays and Sundays in January for a National Park themed movie at the Indiana Dunes National Park Visitor Center. On Saturday, January 7, 14, 21, and 28 the movies begin at 10:00 A.M. and on Sunday, January 8, 15, 22, and 29 they begin at 2:00 P.M. The movies change every weekend and run between an hour to an hour and a half in length.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join staff and volunteers during an open house at Indiana Dunes National Park’s historic Chellberg Farm to celebrate a traditional Swedish Christmas on Saturday, December 17, from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm. The farmhouse will be decorated for the season and there will be volunteers in traditional dress explaining Swedish holiday customs. The story of Santa Lucia will be told in the parlor and visitors can learn how the Santa Lucia legend is celebrated in many Swedish households.
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Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Specialist Caitlin Campbell has won the Freeman Tilden Award, the highest award presented to a National Park Service individual to recognize outstanding contributions to the profession of interpretation.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: On December 31st get outside and have fun helping with the Audubon Christmas Bird Count and make an important contribution to conservation. Tens of thousands of volunteers throughout the Americas take part in an adventure that has become a family tradition. Audubon and other organizations will use data collected in this longest running wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations and to guide conservation actions.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a ranger for a hike on the Indiana Dunes National Park’s Dune Ridge Trail on Saturday, November 26, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Hike through an oak savanna as you gradually climb uphill to enjoy sweeping views of the Great Marsh from the top of a dune ridge.
Official NPS sourceThe Dunes Learning Center Board of Directors is pleased to announce Heather Hahn Sullivan as the new Executive Director. Her predecessor, Geof Benson, announced his intent to retire earlier this year.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join park staff and other visitors to celebrate the 56th Anniversary of the Indiana Dunes National Park. The celebration takes place at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center on Saturday, November 5th at 1:00 pm with a hour-long presentation by regional historian Kenneth Schoon.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a ranger on Sunday, November 6, from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center for stories about shipwrecks on the Great Lakes. There have been approximately 6,000 shipwrecks just in Lake Michigan.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a ranger on Saturday November 5 and 19 from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm at the Great Marsh Trail for a hike through a remnant of a vast wetland that once spanned much of the southern coast of Lake Michigan.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a local artist from the Art Barn for Art in the Park, sponsored by the Friends of Indiana Dunes. This event will be held at the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Pavilion on Saturday, November 12, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Learn how to paint your own dunes-inspired painting. There will be a $15 charge for supplies and reservations are required in advance at www.artbarnschool.org. The class is limited to 15 adult painters.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: The National Park Service is planning to conduct seven prescribed fires this fall totaling more than 1,400 acres. Several burns are carryovers from the spring that could not be completed due to unfavorable weather conditions.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a ranger for a hike at the Tolleston Dunes trail on Saturday, October 8 and 22 from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm. The trail winds around 4,700-year-old sand dunes and through multiple different ecosystems including a globally rare black oak savanna.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a ranger for a hike on one of the park’s most treasured trails on Sunday, October 2 from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm. The Dune Succession Trail highlights the four stages of dune development within its one-mile length. This scenic, but strenuous trail includes a climb up 270 stairs for a spectacular view of Lake Michigan and Chicago.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Relax on the front lawn of Chellberg Farm for an evening of music on Sunday, October 2, from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm. The Save the Tunes Council is a group of local musicians devoted to preserving and passing on folk songs in the traditional way, using a variety of traditional musical instruments including guitar, autoharp, dulcimer, banjo, harmonica, bagpipe, penny whistle, hurdy gurdy, and other obscure instruments.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Take a self-guided hike into the amazing Pinhook Bog on Saturday, October 1 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Indiana Dunes National Park. Rangers and volunteers will be stationed along the trail to help you understand this unique remnant of the last ice age that is filled with interesting plant life, like carnivorous insect-eating plants and orchids. Allow one hour to walk the trail and tour the quaking bog. Please arrive before 2:00 pm to allow enough time to complete the tour.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Come out and help a ranger feed the farm animals on Sunday afternoons this fall at Indiana Dunes National Park’s historic Chellberg Farm. These programs are offered every Sunday through October 30th. The farm is home to chickens, turkeys and cattle.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join fellow equestrians on Sunday, October 2, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, at West Beach, for an extremely rare chance to ride on the beaches of Lake Michigan! BYOH (Bring your own horse).
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Indiana Dunes National Park is hosting a beach clean-up for National Public Lands Day on Saturday, September 24, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at West Beach.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Come out and help a ranger feed the farm animals at the historic Chellberg Farm at Indiana Dunes National Park. Helpers are needed on Sunday, September 4, 11, 18, and 25 from 4:30 pm to 5:00 pm.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a birding expert from the Dunes-Calumet Audubon Society on Sunday, September 4, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, for a migration birding hiking. Meet inside the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center and carpool to the chosen birding location. No experience required. Bring binoculars and dress for the weather.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a ranger at Indiana Dunes National Park for a hike exploring the Bailly Homestead and Cemetery along with the Chellberg Farm on Sunday, September 4 and 18 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
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INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: The staff of Indiana Dunes National Park is pleased to announce that one of the park’s volunteers, Rob Albrecht-Mallinger, is the national recipient of the National Park Service’s George and Helen Hartzog Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service. This award recognizes and honors the efforts of exceptional "Volunteers In Parks," or VIPs.
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INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Enjoy a festive weekend of fun at the historic Chellberg Farm at Indiana Dunes National Park. “Chellberg Farm Fun” takes place on September 10th and 11th from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm and is part of the Outdoor Adventure Festival.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Relax on the front lawn of Chellberg Farm for an evening of music on Sunday, August 28, from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The Save the Tunes Council is a group of local musicians devoted to preserving and passing on folk songs in the traditional way, using a variety of traditional musical instruments including guitar, autoharp, dulcimer, banjo, harmonica, bagpipe, penny whistle, hurdy gurdy, and other obscure instruments.
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A variety of National Park Service (NPS) employees, volunteers and partners were honored at a ceremony to Celebrate America’s National Parks and the Dedication of Those Who Serve.
Official NPS sourcePorter, IN: The National Park Service (NPS) has issued the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the “Plant Gathering for Traditional Purposes” Environmental Assessment (EA) for Indiana Dunes National Park.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Celebrate national Aviation Day and learn about Octave Chanute’s pioneering glider flights in the Indiana Dunes. See the Paul Nelson film to learn how Chanute helped the Wright Brothers achieve powered flight in 1903. Join in the fun on Sunday, August 21 from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a ranger at Indiana Dunes National Park for a hike exploring the Bailly Homestead and Cemetery along with the Chellberg Farm every Sunday in August from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
Official NPS sourceA new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 2,187,125 visitors to national parks in West Virginia spent $108.9 million in the state in 2021. That spending resulted in 1,447 jobs and had a cumulative benefit to the state economy of $131 million.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a ranger for a birding hike on a long-abandoned golf course that is now part of Indiana Dunes National Park. Enjoy an easy walk through the “rough” on Sunday July 10, 17, and 24 from 7:00 am to 9:00 am.
Official NPS sourceJoin a ranger on any Tuesday in July from 9:00 am to 11:00 am for the "hike of the week." This Ranger’s Choice Hike will vary based on what trail is most beautiful or most interesting that day. Meet at the visitor center and then follow the ranger to the trailhead. Program time includes the drive to the trail. Dress for the weather.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service (NPS) has released the “Plant Gathering for Traditional Purposes” Environmental Assessment (EA) for Indiana Dunes National Park.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a ranger on Tuesday, June 21 and 28, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm for the "hike of the week." The hike will vary based on what trail is most beautiful or most interesting that day. Meet at the visitor center and then follow the ranger to the trailhead. Program time includes the drive to the trail.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a ranger at Indiana Dunes National Park for a morning stroll along the sandy shore of Lake Michigan at Central Avenue Beach on Saturday, June 18 from 8:00 am to 9:00 am. Learn about the origins of the Great Lakes and the Indiana Dunes while scanning the beach to see what kind of interesting things have washed up.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a ranger-led hike in June and climb to the top of the famous Mount Baldy. The hikes take place on Friday June 3, 10, 17, and 24 from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm and on Sunday June 5, 12, 19, and 26 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. In addition to these daytime hikes, enjoy a sunset hike up the dune to celebrate the Summer Solstice on Tuesday, June 21, from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Take a self-guided hike into the amazing Pinhook Bog on Saturday, June 4, 11, and 18 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at Indiana Dunes National Park. Rangers and volunteers will be stationed along the trail to help you understand this unique remnant of the last ice age that is filled with carnivorous insect-eating plants and beautiful orchids. Allow one hour to walk the trail and tour this quaking bog.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a local artist from the Art Barn and learn how to paint at Indiana Dunes National Park's "Art in the Park" program, sponsored by the Friends of Indiana Dunes. Learn how to create your own camping themed dunes-inspired painting on Saturday, June 11, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Park Connection Office located next to the Chellberg Farm parking lot. There is a $15 charge for supplies, and reservations are required in advance, at www.artbarnschool.org. The class is limited to 15 adults.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a ranger at Indiana Dunes National Park for a hike exploring the Bailly Homestead and Cemetery along with the Chellberg Farm on Sunday, May 29, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Relax on the front lawn of Chellberg Farm for an evening of music on Sunday, May 29, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. The Save the Tunes Council is a group of local musicians devoted to preserving and passing on folk songs in the traditional way, using a variety of traditional musical instruments including guitar, autoharp, dulcimer, banjo, harmonica, bagpipe, penny whistle, hurdy gurdy, and other obscure instruments. Please bring a blanket or folding chair for this outdoor performance on the lawn of the Chellberg Farmhouse.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a ranger on Sunday May 29, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm, for an opportunity to climb to the top of the famous Mount Baldy. Mount Baldy is closed for general public use due to public safety and restoration concerns, so this ranger-led hike allows visitors to safely experience the beauty and spectacular views from the top of one of the tallest dunes in the national park.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Celebrate Earth Day by spending the morning at the second annual Indiana Dunes Trash Trekkers Earth Day Clean-up. This year’s event is on Friday, April 22nd, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and is sponsored by the Friends of Indiana Dunes, Indiana Dunes Tourism, Mermaid Straw, and Indiana Dunes National Park’s Volunteer Office.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: On Saturday, April 16, join local plant experts Nathanael Pilla and Steve Sass at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center to learn about the beauty and importance of native plants.
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National Park Service Seeks Tips from the Public on Theft of Historic Lamppost covers
Official NPS sourceIndiana Dunes National Park and Indiana Dunes Tourism have partnered to offer Drop-In Volunteering, a no-hassle volunteer option for those looking to help out at the Indiana Dunes. Opportunities will be available nearly every day of the week and include stewardship, restoration, park clean-up, and more.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Beginning on March 31st, an entrance fee or a federal lands pass will be required to enter Indiana Dunes National Park. The new fee revenue will help fund a number of parking information improvements, deferred maintenance projects and visitor services for a park that has seen its attendance increase from 1.7 million visitors to more than 3 million since its name change in February of 2019. This new fee only affects the national park and does not change the fee collected by the state for entrance into the Indiana Dunes State Park.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a birding expert from the Dunes-Calumet Audubon Society on Sundays, April 3, and May 1, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, for a migration birding hike. The April hike will be led by Kim Ehn. Meet in the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center and carpool to the birding spot of the month. No experience required. Bring binoculars and dress for the weather.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: The National Park Service is adding two prescribed fires to this spring’s planned burning schedule. This brings the total planned prescribed fires to eight for the spring.
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Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial is accepting applications for the National Park Service Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) program for the 2022 season.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Indiana Dunes National Park has jobs for four teenagers this summer. The Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) program is a work-learn-earn program for 15-18 year-olds. Deadline to apply is April 30, 2022.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: The National Park Service is planning eight prescribed fires this spring at Indiana Dunes National Park. Approximately 944 acres are expected to be burned. Fire is used as a tool for the park's long-term restoration and hazard fuel reduction efforts.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: The National Park Service has extended the Public Comment Period on the Environmental Assessment (EA), for the “Marquette Greenway Trail – Salt Creek Connection” for Indiana Dunes National Park. The comment period now closes on March 27, 2022.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join a birding expert from the Dunes-Calumet Audubon Society on Sundays, March 6, April 3, and May 1, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, for this migration birding hiking series. Matt Kalwasinski will lead the March hike. Meet inside the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center and car pool to the birding spot of the month. No experience required. Bring binoculars and dress for the weather.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Enjoy a sweet taste of spring during the 45th annual Maple Sugar Time festival at Indiana Dunes National Park’s historic Chellberg Farm. The farm will be bustling with maple sugaring activities from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday March 12 and Sunday March 13.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: The National Park Service has released the Environmental Assessment (EA), for the “Marquette Greenway Trail – Salt Creek Connection” for Indiana Dunes National Park.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Indiana Dunes National Park and Indiana Dunes Tourism have partnered to offer Drop-In Volunteering, a no-hassle volunteer option for those looking to help out at the Indiana Dunes. Opportunities are available nearly every day of the week and include stewardship, restoration, park clean-up, and more.
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Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail has released its 2021 Annual Report. The report documents a year of work with partners across the U.S. to commemorate and protect the 4,900-mile-long historic route of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
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Each year, agencies and organizations engaged in public outreach submit publications, videos, digital campaigns, and exhibits for competition in NAI’s media awards. The Lewis and Clark Trail Junior Ranger Activity Journal was awarded first place NAI Media Award in the book category after receiving top marks for thoughtful messaging and innovative online components.
Official NPS sourceFamilies and students, birders and scientists, go out on an annual mission to count birds on a specific date in a specific area – often before dawn.
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The National Park Service has created an audio version of Indiana Dunes National Park’s official map and guide, making it accessible to visitors who have visual impairments and cannot read the printed version.
Official NPS sourceWhat better way to enjoy the fall bird migration than to join rangers on a bike ride from the Douglas Center to Marquette Park or West Beach and back on November 13 starting at 1 pm. While enjoying the bike ride you will have the opportunity to stop and do some birding. We will have 8 to 10 bikes for people to borrow or you can bring your own bike. We have a limited number of binoculars so if you have your own, please bring them.
Official NPS sourceHave you admired the survival abilities of the Native Americans who have lived in this region for thousands of years? Then, celebrate Native American History Month and learn more at Indiana Dunes National Park’s Douglas Center on Sunday, November 7 from 12:00 pm–3:00 pm.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Whether you love them or hate them, few other mammals are as active as the American beaver. Hunted for their dense fur to be made into stylish top hats, the American beaver disappeared from Indiana about 100 years ago. However, in recent years, the beaver has made a dramatic comeback and signs of beaver can now be found throughout Indiana Dunes National Park.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service has temporarily closed the waters of all beaches at Indiana Dunes National Park due to a discharge of an unknown substance into the Burns Waterway. A discharge of rusty colored liquid from the US Steel plant in Portage, Indiana was reported on Sunday, September 26 at 6:30 pm. An investigation is under way to determine the nature and extent of the discharge.
Official NPS sourceJoin fellow equestrians on Saturday, October 2, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm or from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, at Indiana Dunes National Park’s West Beach, for a rare chance to ride on the beaches of Lake Michigan! BYOH (Bring Your Own Horse).
Official NPS sourceTune up your vocal cords for an evening of music and singing on Sunday, October 3rd, and Sunday, October 17th, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on the front lawn of the historic Chellberg farmhouse.
Official NPS sourceCelebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15th to October 15th at Indiana Dunes National Park’s Paul H. Douglas Center. On weekends at the center, visitors can make colorful crafts that celebrate Hispanic heritage in the United States and read about the Hispanic heritage of some of our national park employees.
Official NPS sourceIndiana Dunes National Park is hosting a park clean-up for National Public Lands Day on Saturday, September 25, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at West Beach. Join park staff, Mermaid Straw, Dig the Dunes, and more for a day of stewardship focused around reducing single-use plastic waste and celebrating our public lands.
Official NPS sourceBring your dog for a ranger-led hike through the spectacular Miller Woods. This hike is offered every Friday in October from 10:00 am-12:00 noon.
Official NPS sourceEnjoy music from national and local artists during a small-scale concert at the historic Chellberg Farm in Indiana Dunes National Park on September 5th from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service is seeking public comment on a proposed entrance fee for Indiana Dunes National Park. Comments are also being sought on two new proposed services in the park; six backcountry campsites and a group campsite located near the beach. Comments are due by October 1, 2021.
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Mulberry Bend Overlook will be closed temporarily while the park addresses accessibility issues at the overlook. The trail is being redesigned and reconstructed.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: The National Park Service is seeking food trucks or other self-contained food service vendors to serve park visitors at various locations, special events and festivals at Indiana Dunes National Park for the remaining calendar year.
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Two firefighters from The Great Lakes Fire Management Zone stationed at Indiana Dunes National Park are currently assisting Dinosaur National Monument in Colorado with wildfires in the park.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Indiana Dunes National Park and the East Troy, (Wisconsin), Railroad Museum are hosting a joint program at the Museum featuring historic South Shore Railroad Cars on Saturday, August 14, during the annual “Chicago Day” event.
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(OMAHA, NE) July 19, 2021 — As travelers seek out more authentic ways to connect with people and places, the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail unveils the ultimate online trip-planning portal, lewisandclark.travel. This website is designed to help visitors learn more about the host communities, local businesses, and attractions located along the 4,900-mile trail that runs from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to the Pacific Ocean.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Members of the public and business community are invited to attend an open house to discuss a Commercial Services Strategy for Indiana Dunes National Park.
Official NPS sourceUnder the authority of 36 CFR 1.5(a), the Superintendent of Indiana Dunes National Park will close 1.5 miles of the Little Calumet River Hiking Trail for public safety and resource protection. The temporary closure begins on July 12, 2021 to allow a contractor to replace approximately 1,000 feet of boardwalk along the trail. This work is expected to last no more than 120 days.
Official NPS sourceOn Saturday, July 17, formal educators, naturalists, youth leaders, and others who work with 6th – 12th grade learners are invited to participate in a free, two-hour, virtual workshop focused on Great Lakes ecosystems, stewardship, and science!
Official NPS sourceSammi King, Marquette Park Project Coordinator for Dunes-Calumet Audubon, will discuss the history of Marquette Park and its important bird habitats on Sunday, July 25 at 11:00 am at Indiana Dunes National Park’s Douglas Center. She will talk about many of the shorebirds that use this location as an important stop during migration.
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Omaha, Neb. – Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail will resume indoor visitor services at their visitor center in Omaha, Neb. starting July 1, consistent with the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Department of Interior. All services will return to pre-pandemic levels, including issuance of the park passes, access to restroom facilities, and the reopening of Riverfront Books. Some exhibits will be modified or removed to reduce risks associated with COVID-19.
Official NPS sourceEnjoy a leisurely float in the Marquette Park lagoons with park rangers to feel the late afternoon breeze off Lake Michigan. The national park will provide the kayaks, paddles and lifejackets; you just need to bring your sense of adventure.
Official NPS sourceThis summer, join a park ranger at Indiana Dunes National Park every Sunday from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm for a hike to the historic Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm.
Official NPS sourceThe Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education and Miller Woods ponds are teaming with abundant life of all sizes. This summer, you can join a ranger to search for life in a pond every Saturday from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm.
Official NPS sourceEvery Saturday beginning June 26 through August 28, meet a ranger at the Diana Dunes Dare trail head and dare to be like Diana of the Dunes and hike over 250 steps along a one mile trail at West Beach to end at the shoreline and watch the sunset with park rangers.
Official NPS sourceGet inspired by writer and naturalist Gary Paul Nabhan as he talks about how the Indiana Dunes inspired many Hoosier residents to become writers, naturalists and scientists.
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Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail announces the debut of a trailwide Junior Ranger program, which is now available at more than 30 locations in 13 states across the country.
Official NPS sourceEducators are invited to participate in a Project Learning Tree K-8 workshop at Indiana Dunes State Park on Friday, June 11.
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INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: The Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk site at Indiana Dunes National Park has reopened after a successful work project to install boulders needed to protect the pavilion and assure safer access to the shoreline.
Official NPS sourceSuperintendent will temporarily close the Portage Lakefront location at Indiana Dunes National Park so a work project can be completed safely.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: On May 8th, the National Park Service will resume offering a limited number of ranger-led public programs at Indiana Dunes National Park. All programs will be limited to 10 people and will require advance reservations.
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Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail will celebrate National Park Week April 17-25, 2021. We encourage you to participate in one of our virtual activities to help you celebrate National Park Week.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: One week after the 425-acre Miller Woods wildfire at Indiana Dunes National Park, all trails in that area have been reopened. Fire crews and park staff have ensured all trails in visitor areas are safe from any dangerous trees and other hazards.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Indiana Dunes National Park has jobs for four teenagers this summer. The Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) program is a work-learn-earn program for 15-18-year-olds. The deadline to apply is April 30, 2021.
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INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: On Friday April 2nd Indiana Dunes National Park successfully conducted the Tolleston East Prescribed Fire. After monitoring the fire area for several days, and working to make the area safe for visitors, the Tolleston Dunes Trail has been re-opened.
Official NPS sourceRegistration for the 1st annual Indiana Dunes Trash Trekkers Earth Day Cleanup is now open. This year’s cleanup is on Thursday, April 22, from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and is sponsored by the Friends of Indiana Dunes, Indiana Dunes Tourism, and the Volunteer Office of Indiana Dunes National Park.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: “Diana’s Dare” a new hiking challenge kicks off at Indiana Dunes National Park with an online event on March 25th at 2:00 pm. Learn why the park has renamed a West Beach sand dune in honor of the legendary Diana of the Dunes and is daring visitors to try and hike to the top.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join local teaching artists for a series of virtual painting classes offered by Indiana Dunes National Park in partnership with the Art Barn School of Art and the Friends of Indiana Dunes, Inc. These free online art lessons will be offered from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm on Saturday, April 10th, June 12th and July10th. No prior art experience is necessary. Register at: www.artbarnschool.org.
Official NPS sourceCancelation of annual wreath laying ceremony and George Rogers Clark March is now virtual
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Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail has released its 2020 Annual Report. The report documents a year of partnerships and projects with the common goal of commemorating and protecting the 4,900 mile historic route of the Lewis and Clark Expedition from Pittsburgh to the Pacific.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: The Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education, located in Indianan Dunes National Park, has snowshoes available for free checkout every day from 9:00 am – 3:30 pm when there is at least a two-inch snow base. Snowshoe sizes are available for kids and adults alike. Snowshoes can be used to explore the three-mile-long Miller Woods trail system that leads visitors on an easy to moderate hike through beautiful oak savanna and dune habitats.
Official NPS sourceA major restoration project is underway at Indiana Dunes National Park that will remove 25 structures and former roadbeds from areas though out the park. Work began September 16th and is scheduled for completion by April 30, 2021.
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Changes in trail access beginning on Monday, November 16, 2020
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: On August 19, Secretary of the Interior, David Bernhardt, visited Indiana Dunes National Park during a tour of the Midwest. In addition to learning about possible projects that could be funded through the Great American Outdoors Act, he wanted to meet with park employees for a question and answer session. During the session, Ryan Koepke, the park’s Fee Program Supervisor, asked why there wasn’t a free pass to the national parks for military veterans. Mr. Koepke’s question prompted the Department to testify to Congress that veterans should be added to a proposed bill that would allow free access to federal parklands for Gold Star families. Congress agreed and beginning this Veterans Day, November 11th, all military veterans and Gold Star families will have free access to approximately 2,000 federal public locations spread across more than 400 million acres of public lands.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: The National Park Service is planning four prescribed fires this fall at Indiana Dunes National Park. Approximately 897 acres are expected to be burned. Fire is used as a tool for the park's long-term restoration and hazard fuel reduction efforts.
Official NPS sourceNDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Central Avenue in Indiana Dunes National Park was closed on October 26 so large trucks can safely use it during a beach nourishment project.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: To assist the public in finding an open beach and one that has available parking, the National Park Service will provide a Beach Parking Information Line. 219-395-1003
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An expedition is only as successful as its preparation. On May 12, 2019, the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail was extended to include eastern sites that played vital roles in the planning and supply procurement for the Corps of Discovery expedition. With a new historical trail head at the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Trail now winds 4,900 miles to St. Louis, Missouri, along the Missouri River to the Great Plains, across the Rockies and on to the Pacific Ocean. This week, we celebrate the first anniversary of this 1,200 mile extension.
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The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail will celebrate National Park Week April 18-26, 2020. We encourage you to participate in one of our virtual activities to help you celebrate National Park Week while social distancing at home.
Official NPS sourceOmaha, Neb, – The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail visitor center is announcing modifications to operations to implement the latest guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and local and state authorities to promote social distancing. As of March 23, 2020 the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail visitor center in Omaha, Nebraska is closed until further notice.
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Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial is announcing modifications to operations to implement the latest guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and local and state authorities to promote social distancing.
Official NPS sourceINDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: To protect public health and slow the spread of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus, all facilities and buildings, including restrooms, are closed until further notice at Indiana Dunes National Park. In addition, all public and school programs at the park are cancelled. Outdoor spaces, including park’s trails, beaches and parking lots, remain open to the public.
Official NPS source
Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial is accepting application for the National Park Service Youth Conservation Corps (YCC). Apply by April 10, 2020.
Official NPS sourceOur Annual Lincoln Day program will take place on February 9th from 2:00 to 4:00 Central Time.
Official NPS sourceCelebrate the migration of birdlife through the Indiana Dunes region this May 14-17 at the sixth annual Indiana Dunes Birding Festival. The entire festival program schedule has now been released, featuring over 150 individual trips, programs, and workshops. The event is being organized by the Indiana Audubon Society and includes both the Indiana Dunes National Park and Indiana Dunes State Park as site hosts.
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In partnership with the National Park Service, the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association will work with Tribes to develop cultural heritage content and itineraries for the websites LewisAndClark.travel and NativeAmerica.travel.
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In the early 19th century, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led an ambitious expedition across the western United States. Lewis and Clark greatly expanded our knowledge of the country’s geography and biological diversity through their specimen collection, mapping of the landscape and detailed journal entries. This year NASA and the National Park Service encourage the public to follow in these explorers’ footsteps through a new citizen science challenge from June 1 to Sept. 2. Use your smart phone and the NASA GLOBE Observer (GO) app to map land cover along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and elsewhere to assist scientists studying environmental changes.
Official NPS sourceOmaha, Neb. –No trip begins without preparation and this is especially true for the Lewis and Clark Expedition. To commemorate the importance of preparation for the expedition, 1,200 miles have just been added to the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. The John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management and Recreation Act signed on March 12, 2019 includes the trail extension, which adds an additional 1,200 miles to the national historic trail starting at the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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American Solar Challenge 2018 is starting from the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail in Omaha, NE.
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Western National Parks Association Selects Lewis and Clark Trail employees for the Stewart L Udall Award.
Official NPS sourceMISSOURI RIVER BASIN LEWIS & CLARK INTERPRETIVE CENTER NEW FEE PROPOSAL OPEN HOUSE
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