Indiana Dunes

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Does anyone live close to or have you visited Indiana Dunes? We would like to take a short vacation-unfortunantly it would probably be over Memorial day weekend! and someone suggested Indiana Dunes-we love "big Water" but the ocean is too far for us to drive-we thought about camping on the shore of lake Michigan-this needs to be a Econo trip. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

-- Kelly (homearts2002@yahoo.com), April 23, 2002

Answers

I used to work at Versailles State park, opposite part of the state, but, I can tell. First of all, if you're thinking about camping on Memorial Day weekend, the crowds will be beyond huge, first get out weekend of the season, whether in a park or not. If you wanted to camp in a state park, the reservations would be filled by now, actually by the first of March. I was recently told lot of parks are going to have reservations camping only. Also, the rumors about Dunes and other parks 'up north' were less than welcoming. Lots more danger/violence. The patrolmen even carry guns, they don't do that in other parks, unless they've changed that in the last year or so. Lots of other unsavory activities going on, as well. If you're going just to picnic and/or stay in a motel, it wouldn't be so bad. Sorry, but this is the reality of it. Lots of motels are filled for Memorial day in Indiana anyway because of the race.

What about the Cincinnati Zoo? or Newport Aquarium? King's Island or Coney Island in Cincinnati? Clifty Falls in Madison for a day away, but it's a state park so it would be crowded.

-- Cindy (S.E.IN) (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), April 23, 2002.


Kelly, this might be too far away but the Silver Lake Sand Dunes in Michigan are nice. We camped there several times when I was a kid, and my parents camped there last summer and still enjoyed it. The brochure I have lists 6 campgrounds in the area. There's a website for information at Silver Lake Sand Dunes

The water in Lake Michigan at Memorial Day will still be pretty cold so I don't think you'd want to go swimming. :-)

-- Sherri C (CeltiaSkye@xaol.com), April 23, 2002.


I camped here last summer ;-) We also enjoyed it! http://www.nps.gov/indu/

Dunewood Campground Open from April 1 To October 31 The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore has one campground facility, Dunewood Campground, with campsites available on a first come first serve basis. Reservations are not accepted at Dunewood Campground. Check out time is 12 noon. There are 79 sites: 54 drive-in ($10.00) and 25 walk-in ($10.00). Four fully accessible sites are available. Hot water showers are provided. Wood gathering is prohibited. Wood can be purchased at local convenience stores. Indiana Dunes State Park also has a campground and reservations are accepted. The state park's phone number is (219) 926-1952.

For More Information on this campground please call (219) 926-7561 ext 225

-- Peace and Carrots Farm, Vermont (wsm311@aol.com), April 23, 2002.


Warren Dunes in MI isn't much further than the IN Dunes. I haven't been there in years but it used to be very nice. You can camp there. Worth checking it out!

-- Jean (schiszik@tbcnet.com), April 23, 2002.

I'd vote for Warren Dunes also, but we've frequently visited the Dunes and other beaches on Lake Michigan and enjoyed. We have relatives in the area so stay with them and have never camped. Swimming is really nice but Memorial Day is apt to be pretty cold yet in the water-----on the other hand it can be pretty warm by then. The water is considered not the cleanest for swimming but we do and we do find it to be enjoyable. Do check first, though, because of the Indiana financial crisis (don't get me started there!!) some state parks are limiting usage and facilities for this year. A lot of beaches won't have life guards, etc. This isn't a beach but Turkey Run State Park near Rockville, IN is beautiful for camping and hiking. Call though, because, again it may very well be booked full.

-- Rosalie (Dee) in IN (deatline@globalsite.net), April 23, 2002.


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