This Indiana City Is An Underrated Gem For Nature Lovers
What if you could enjoy the perfect beach vacation without the crowds, right in Indiana? Michigan City, located on Lake Michigan, is quite possibly one of the most underrated destinations in the region. This town, home to roughly 31,700 residents, often flies under the radar, surpassed by some of its larger coastal destination counterparts. Not only is it situated along one of the Great Lakes, but it is also near a national park and some of the state’s most impressive wildlife areas. Whether you want to watch migratory birds flock through the wetlands, hike to the top of a sand dune, or relax on a sunset cruise across Lake Michigan, Michigan City’s hidden beauty will take your breath away.
Parks and Green Escapes
The Michigan City Parks and Recreation Department maintains 30 parks across the city, totaling around 675 acres of parkland. As a result, there is always a park nearby. Washington Park & Beach, located along the shores of Lake Michigan, is one of the town’s most prominent parks to visit. The park spans 140 acres and includes 2 miles of beaches, a marina, a boat launch, picnic shelters, a splash park, an amphitheater, and a zoo. The park is also a common hosting spot for sporting events and city festivals, such as the annual Festival of Lights that takes place each December.
Indiana Dunes National Park Nature Photos.
Creek Ridge County Park lies on the southern edge of Michigan City, covering an impressive 112 acres. Its network of accessible boardwalks ensures that visitors, including those using wheelchairs, can explore and enjoy the park’s nature. Throughout the park, travelers can appreciate various ecosystems, including wetlands, open prairies, and hardwood forests. Some of the wildlife that calls the park home include foxes, rabbits, deer, raccoons, and an annual migration of steelhead trout. The park also offers picnic areas, playgrounds, a disc golf course, and volleyball nets.
If you enjoy golfing, there are several courses to choose from. Beechwood Golf Course, one of the town’s most scenic, is a championship course designed and built in the early 1930s. Its traditional layout allows golfers to use every club, making it enjoyable for all skill levels. As a cherry on top, it offers affordable rates.
Scenic Hiking & Walking Trails
View of Lake Michigan over the dunes at Indiana Dunes National Park.
Michigan City is just a five-minute drive from one of the country’s incredible national parks, Indiana Dunes National Park. This park, spanning 15,000 acres, offers miles of Lake Michigan shoreline along with inland features like wetlands, woodlands, rivers, and bogs. Over 350 bird species inhabit the area as well. To experience all of this beauty, the park offers 15 trails to explore.
Those interested in birdwatching will appreciate the Great Marsh Trail, a short 1.3-mile hike that winds through a massive wetland complex within the Lake Michigan Watershed. For added accessibility, this trail also offers a paved, wheelchair-friendly path that leads to an observation deck. If you are seeking gorgeous lake views, you will enjoy the Paul H. Douglas Trail. Stretching 3.4 miles, this trail passes through various habitats, including the extremely rare black oak savanna, wetlands, beaches, and open dunes.
Sand dune meeting the shoreline of Lake Michigan.
The lake views during this hike are some of the best in the park. To mix a bit of history into your hike, consider exploring the Bailly Homestead, Chellberg Farm, Little Calumet River and Mnoké Prairie Trails system. During this hike, travelers will travel through a forest filled with maples, basswoods, beeches, and oak trees before reaching the Little Calumet River. The trail also passes by the historic Chellberg Farm and Bailly Homestead, which date back to the 19th and 20th centuries.
Those wanting to stay more centrally located or enjoy a more laid-back afternoon of hiking will enjoy the Bismarck Hill Hiking Trail. Just about a mile long, this trail passes by three restored dunes, offering plenty of sights during such a short hike. The access to this trail is located right off Center Street, across from Dune Billies Beach Cafe.
Water-Based Activities
Located on Lake Michigan, Michigan City naturally offers plenty of water-based adventures. For a kayak excursion on the Great Lake, consider renting from Harbor Country Adventures, conveniently located at the intersection of Michigan Harbor and Trail Creek. Kayakers can also opt to explore the calm, flowing waters of Trail Creek, which winds through the heart of town. If you want to explore the lake in a more relaxed fashion, Harbor Country Adventures also offers boat tours. The Classic Lake Tour is a good option to see the lake and learn about its history, aboard the Emita II, which features an upper viewing deck and indoor lounge on the first level. Travelers can also reserve a spot on the Sunset Cruise, which will give them the opportunity to capture the lake’s gorgeous sunsets while listening to live music on the top deck.
If your ideal trip includes fishing, several charter agencies are available to take you out on the water. Fire Drill Charters, also along the harbor, is a highly rated charter service that offers fully equipped excursions out on the lake, giving you the chance to fish for steelhead, kings, coho, brown trout, and lake trout.
Wildlife Areas
Gazebo on a small island in a pond surrounded by willow trees taken at Friendship Botanic Gardens in Michigan City, Indiana.
There are two wildlife areas near Michigan City that, while requiring a bit of a drive, are well worth the trip. The first is Kingsbury Fish & Wildlife Area, located about 40 minutes from town. Spanning 7,400 acres, this reserve includes marshlands, grasslands, crop fields, conifer and hardwood forests, and a 40-acre lake. These diverse ecosystems attract stunning bird species, such as bald eagles, hawks, owls, wading birds, and shorebirds, offering plenty of chances for that perfect photo.
Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area, located about an hour south of Michigan City, is home to an incredible migratory phenomenon each year that makes the drive well worth it. Spanning 8,179 acres, this reserve welcomes over 15,000 sandhill cranes each fall as they stop during their migration. Visitors can view the stunning flock from the park’s observation deck, with mounted spotting scopes available for a closer look.
Uncover The Natural Beauty of Michigan City
Indiana Dunes National Park.
There is so much more to explore in Michigan City, including countless additional parks, hiking trails, and water adventures. Visitors could easily spend an entire weekend exploring the local parks or trying out various water activities offered by the area’s recreation agencies. Many attractions also offer wheelchair accessibility, ensuring that everyone can experience the area’s natural beauty. So, next time you are looking to escape the hustle and reconnect with the outdoors, you can count on Michigan City to provide the perfect getaway.
