When you think of the Midwest, your mind probably wanders through a highlight reel of endless rows of corn, fried foods smeared with grease and ranch dressing, small towns with three-digit populations, farmers with John Deeres backing up traffic on two-lane country roads, and flat, boring landscapes for miles. If you’re familiar with my blog, you are no stranger to my adamant, pro-Midwest posts. Since I was born and raised in the Midwest, I have made it my mission to debunk the stereotypes that ride alongside our country’s heart and soul. Though we do love country music, backyard barbecues, and star-studded bonfires, the middle of the country is filled with some of the most incredible landscapes that will leave you stunned. We may not have mountains or oceans, but we have incredible beaches and sand dunes along our Great Lakes, breathtaking waterfalls, and surprisingly hilly trails with towering ledges, cliffs and overlooks that will have you thinking you may’ve just stepped into the American West.
I have written a number of blog posts about the Midwest:
Matthiessen: A Different Perspective on a Hidden Gem
Kayaking Through Underwater Sea Caves
Nelson Ledges: A Well-Kept Secret
Elephant Rocks, Shut-Ins and the Arch
Adventures in Eastern Upper Peninsula
Make sure to read each of those to take a deep dive into some of my favorite spots!
Like I mentioned above, one of the things that the Midwest lacks is oceanic seascapes. But what we do have is arguably just as impressive: the five Great Lakes. Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior hug the border of northern United States and southern Canada, and are the five largest lakes in the entire country. Ontario is the only one of these lakes that isn’t technically in the Midwest; the rest are ours to boast. With these Great Lakes come similar opportunities as oceans, but you’ll be trading in saltwater and sharks for freshwater and panfish. Also, with large bodies of water come sandy beaches and rolling dunes. So if you live in the Heartland and have been craving some sand and sunshine, here are some of my favorite dunes to explore and beaches to swim!
Indiana Dunes
Indiana is the state I’ve been living in most of my life. I was exposed to the outdoors at a very early age, so I quickly grew to love all things wild. We spent most weekends on the lake, and from there my love for the water developed and blossomed into a fiery passion. One of my favorite local stretches of rolling sand dunes are the Indiana Dunes.
In 1966, the Indiana Dunes became a National Lakeshore; in 2019, it was dubbed the 61st National Park. Well before it was minted a National Park, my wife and I would bring our dogs onto the pet-friendly stretch of sand and swim, hike, and explore. There are 15 miles of shoreline along Lake Michigan’s southern lakeshore and 15,000 acres of land to wander. 50 miles of hiking trails will take you along rugged dunes, wide-open prairies, quiet rivers, pine forests, and mossy wetlands.
The beach can be enjoyed in all seasons. In the winter, you can gawk at the unique ice shelfs, cross-country ski or snowshoe; in the summer, you can swim, sunbathe and stroll. Sunsets are particularly magnificent in the summer while the foliage is most admirable in the fall. Spring brings brilliant wildflowers lining the river, and winter welcomes idyllic glaciers.
Which beach should you visit? Here is a simple beach comparison to help you decide! (Beaches are listed west to east along the lakeshore)
West Beach:
376 N. County Line Rd Gary, IN
Bathhouse, summer lifeguards, Dunes Succession Trail, pet-friendly trails, picnic area, restrooms, concession stand, large parking lot, handicapped accessible, $6 fee required.
Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk:
6150 US 12 (100 Riverwalk Rd) Portage, IN
Hiking trails, kayak launch, pet-friendly beach and trails, picnic area, seasonal food services, restrooms, handicapped accessible, fishing pier.
Porter Beach:
3057 Wabash Avenue Porter, IN
Kayak launch, pet-friendly beach, picnic area, restrooms.
Indiana Dunes State Park:
1600 N 25 East Chesterton, IN
2,182 acres of dunes, marshes, swamps, hardwood forests, and white pine groves. Summer lifeguards, 16.5 miles of hiking trails (including 3 Dune Challenge), camping, picnic area, showers, snack bar, restrooms, camp store, Nature Center, pet-friendly trails, kayak launch, handicapped accessible, large parking lot, $7 in state/$12 out of state fee required.
Kemil Beach:
27 N East State Park Rd Beverly Shores, IN
Hiking trails, kayak launch, pet-friendly trails and beach, restrooms.
Dunbar Beach:
300 W Lake Front Drive Beverly Shores, IN
Kayak lauch, pet-friendly beach, picnic area, restrooms, limited parking.
Lake View Beach and Picnic Area:
50 W Lake Front Drive Beverly Shores, IN
Kayak launch, pet-friendly beach, picnic area (only spot in the national park with picnic shelters overlooking the lake), restrooms, handicapped accessible.
Mount Baldy and Beach:
101 Rice Street (US 12) Michigan City, IN
Hiking trails (all summit hikes must be led by park rangers), pet-friendly beaches and trails, picnic area, restrooms, home of the largest dune in the national park (126 feet above Lake Michigan’s water level).
Central Avenue Beach:
151 Central Avenue Michigan City, IN
Pet-friendly beach, picnic area, restrooms, biking trail.
Sleeping Bear Dunes
This Michigan gem is without a doubt one of my favorite dunes in the Midwest. Named the “Most Beautiful Place in America” by ABC’s Good Morning America, the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore contains mountains of dunes that roll along Lake Michigan’s northeastern coastline. With 65 miles of sand, vibrant cobalt water, and endless outdoor recreational activities, this lakeshore is a hotspot for both environmental enthusiasts and families alike.
Many choose to partake in the Dune Climb, which is a 3.5 mile roundtrip route to the lake and back. This endeavor may take 3-4 hours to complete as the climb back up the dunes is extremely strenuous. Keep hydrated and bring a pair of shoes in case the sand becomes unbearably hot or the dune grass begins to scrape your soles.
For those who want to explore the dunes but don’t want to exert that amount of energy, there is still plenty of sand to tackle! There are miles of well-marked trails through the wilderness to explore and even more unmarked sandy paths to conquer. For a leisurely stroll, try walking along the water’s edge! Here are some trail maps for your journey! If you’re interested in biking instead, visit this page for more details. As with all national parks, off-road biking is prohibited due to the fragile soil. Don’t worry; there are plenty of scenic, designated paths for all levels of experience and abilities to ride along!
If hiking and biking aren’t for you, try skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, tobogganing, golfing, camping, hunting, or birding! Trail maps are available at the visitor center in Empire and at each trailhead.
So whether you’re an avid hiker looking to explore the wilderness, an outdoor enthusiast seeking to peep the fall foliage, sapphire lakes, and colorful wildflowers, a family craving a picnic along the waterfront, or simply an individual who wishes to watch the sun sink below the horizon, you won’t regret your visit to “America’s Most Beautiful Place!”
A $25 fee is required upon entry.
Warren Dunes
Warren Dunes are located along the southern coast of Lake Michigan between Benton Harbor and New Buffalo. These dunes rise 260 feet from the water level, giving you spectacular views of Lake Michigan. This 3-mile, pet-friendly shoreline boasts exciting hang-gliding opportunities, seasonal concession stands, reservable campground sites, a picnic area with rentable shelters, and 6 miles of dune trails to explore across the 1,952-mile acreage.
There are two main trails in the park–one follows the beach and the other twists through the dunes. You will see wildflowers, forested dunes, small ponds, and of course the expansive Lake Michigan on your route.
We visited in the fall, and it was a perfect time to explore. The crowds were minimal, and the weather was optimal. We didn’t swim due to the slight chill in the air, but we were able to comfortably navigate the sandy paths up, down and through the sand dunes. The wind was actually quite fierce (as it typically is around the lake), causing the massive mounds of sand to swirl mid-air in a tornado-like fashion before drifting into another pile, changing the shape of the dune. It was quite a neat sight, and it’s something you will no doubt see on your visit! Even though the dunes are held in place by the surrounding forests’ trees and beach grasses, the wind is constantly causing the sand to shift and drift, altering the shape of the dune completely.
A recreation pass is required for entrance. Watch for signs as dogs are not allowed on all sections of the beach; they are, however, allowed on the dunes!
Grand Sable Dunes
The stunning Grand Sable Dunes tower along the Lake Superior coastline. Though there are plenty of immediate beach access points along the lakeshore highway, there is something special about having to hike to a beach. Just west of Grand Marais, you will see a parking lot for the Grand Sable Dunes trailhead. Once you park your car, a 0.5-mile hiking trail will loop you through a waterfall-studded, river-laced path and will dump you out onto a seemingly secluded stretch of beach. The endless Lake Superior stretches to the horizon in front of you, and as far as the eye can see to the left and right. Behind are the Grand Sable Dunes that are daring you to make the strenuous ascent.
These dunes are a rarity as they are perched on top of an existing coastal bluff. The Sleeping Bear Dunes (mentioned above) are also examples of these unique perched dunes. The “sandscape” was comprised of rocky bluffs left behind by the glacial melts. Strong waves then crumbled these rocky cliffs, and the eroded sandy material blew on top of the bluffs to form the dunes that you see today. Beach heath, dune willow, juniper, and native dune grasses along with white-tailed deer and black bears are common in the area.
This five-mile stretch of beach between Sable River and Au Sable Point is free but not lifeguarded, and both the beach and lake bottom are rocky, so bring a sturdy pair of hiking boots or river sandals. The dunes rise to a staggering 300 feet at a 35 foot angle with plenty of pine tree obstacles, so if you plan on summiting the sand, take caution and have fun!
While you’re in the area, check out Log Slide Lookout and trail for an incredible dune climbing challenge and scenic views of the water 300 feet above sea level!
Whitefish Dunes
Whitefish Dunes State Park hugs the Door Country eastern peninsula. There is a mile of sand beach, two miles of rocky shore, and 863 acres of forest to explore and hike. Also, this park is home to the tallest sand dune in Wisconsin. The western coast of Lake Michigan (in Wisconsin) tends to house mostly rocky beaches, but this small but beautiful swath of beach sparkles with golden sand.
In the winter, you can ski and snowshoe; in the summer, you can swim, sunbathe, and fish. 14 miles of hiking trails will give you plenty to explore if you need a shaded break from bathing in the hot sun. Depending on the time of year, you may have the beach to yourself. That was true for us when we visited in June two years ago. We were shocked to find both the beach and backwoods trails devoid of souls, but we reveled in the quiet as we wound our way through the trails with our two dogs. To our delight, there was a dog-friendly beach access, so we spent the afternoon kicking up sand, dipping our toes into the water, lounging on sandy towels, and soaking up the warm summer sunshine.
A vehicle admission sticker is required and is available for purchase at the nature center. Picnic shelter reservations are also available.
Enjoy the Midwest!
**Remember to refer to my blog posts listed above if you need extra Midwestern inspiration and travel ideas!
Wonder. Wander. Repeat. 