Welcome to the great outdoors! If you’re looking for a new adventure, why not explore two of America’s most beautiful national parks: Indiana Dunes and Voyageurs. These two parks have a lot to offer, from stunning landscapes to exciting outdoor activities. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what each park has to offer and help you decide which one to visit.
First up is Indiana Dunes, located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan. This park is a blend of natural beauty and urban convenience. With over 15,000 acres of sand dunes, wetlands, prairies, forests, and beaches, Indiana Dunes offers a unique and diverse experience. Whether you want to hike, bike, swim, or just relax on the beach, this park has something for everyone.
Next, we have Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota. This park is a water-based paradise with over 40,000 acres of lakes, forests, and wetlands. Voyageurs is a paddler’s dream, with endless opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. The park also offers hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing, making it a great destination year-round. With its pristine wilderness and breathtaking scenery, Voyageurs National Park is a true gem of the National Park System.
Hiking Trails in Indiana Dunes National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park and Voyageurs National Park are two popular hiking destinations in the United States. Both parks offer unique hiking experiences, but each has different types of trails.
At Indiana Dunes, visitors can enjoy easy hikes through scenic sand dunes along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Pinhook Bog trail, which is a 0.5-mile boardwalk hike through a unique wetland habitat, and the Bailly Homestead trail, which is a 1-mile hike through a historic homestead site.
Voyageurs National Park, on the other hand, offers challenging hikes through rugged wilderness areas. Some of the hardest hikes in the park include the Kabetogama Peninsula trail, which is a 12-mile hike through remote wilderness, and the Rainy Lake Visitor Center trail, which is a 6-mile hike through hilly terrain with scenic views of Rainy Lake. For those looking for a more strenuous hiking experience, Voyageurs National Park is the perfect destination.
In conclusion, both Indiana Dunes National Park and Voyageurs National Park offer great hiking opportunities for visitors of all abilities. Whether you’re looking for an easy hike through scenic sand dunes or a challenging hike through rugged wilderness, these parks have something for everyone.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Indiana Dunes National Park
Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cowles Bog Trail | 6920.162 | 64.9224 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Little Calumet River Trail Loop | 6276.426 | 50.9016 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
West Beach Loop with Scallop Dunes and Long Lake Trail | 5471.756 | 78.9432 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
Dune Succession and West Beach Walk | 4345.218 | 43.8912 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
West Beach Loop | 1770.274 | 28.956 | Easy | loop | 4 |
Miller Woods Trail | 6115.492 | 40.8432 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Dune Ridge Trail | 1448.406 | 26.8224 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
Tolleston Dunes | 5149.888 | 52.7304 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
Beach Trail to Waverly Beach | 1609.34 | 5.7912 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
Indiana’s Lake Michigan Shoreline Scenic Drive | 35083.612 | 84.7344 | Moderate | point to point | 3.5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Voyageurs National Park
Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blind Ash Bay Trail | 5793.624 | 117.9576 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
Kabetogama Lake Overlook Trail | 643.736 | 17.9832 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
Cruiser Lake to Brown Lake and Anderson Bay | 14001.258 | 224.9424 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
Beaver Pond Overlook Trail | 482.802 | 1.8288 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
Kab-Ash Trail | 24461.968 | 406.908 | Easy | out and back | 3 |
Sullivan Bay Trail | 2092.142 | 27.7368 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
Black Bay Beaver Pond Trail | 1931.208 | 22.86 | Easy | out and back | 5 |
Wildlife in Indiana Dunes National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park and Voyageurs National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. They both offer stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife.
At Indiana Dunes National Park, visitors can see over 350 species of birds and enjoy the beautiful sand dunes along Lake Michigan. The park is also home to a variety of mammals, such as deer, coyotes, and foxes. In addition, Indiana Dunes is known for its rare and threatened species, including the eastern massasauga rattlesnake and the eastern prairie fringed orchid.
Voyageurs National Park, on the other hand, is located in northern Minnesota and is known for its vast network of lakes and rivers. The park is home to a variety of fish, such as walleye, northern pike, and muskellunge. Visitors can also see a variety of mammals, including beaver, moose, and black bear. Additionally, Voyageurs is known for its impressive array of bird species, including the common loon, bald eagle, and the northern goshawk.
Both Indiana Dunes National Park and Voyageurs National Park offer unique wildlife experiences. Whether you’re interested in bird watching, fishing, or simply observing the beauty of nature, these parks are great places to start.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Indiana Dunes National Park and Voyageurs National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
Indiana Dunes National Park | Voyageurs National Park |
---|---|
Peregrine Falcon | Peregrine Falcon |
Northern Harrier | Northern Harrier |
Sharp-Shinned Hawk | Sharp-Shinned Hawk |
Osprey | Osprey |
Tree Swallow | Tree Swallow |
Mallard | Mallard |
Canada Goose | Canada Goose |
Lincoln’s Sparrow | Lincoln’s Sparrow |
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet | Ruby-Crowned Kinglet |
American Robin | American Robin |
Great Horned Owl | Great Horned Owl |
Red-Tailed Hawk | Red-Tailed Hawk |
Northern Flicker | Northern Flicker |
Merlin | Merlin |
Barn Swallow | Barn Swallow |
Savannah Sparrow | Savannah Sparrow |
Great Blue Heron | Great Blue Heron |
Hermit Thrush | Hermit Thrush |
American Kestrel | American Kestrel |
Bald Eagle | Bald Eagle |
Song Sparrow | Song Sparrow |
European Starling | European Starling |
Northern Pintail | Northern Pintail |
American Wigeon | American Wigeon |
Green-Winged Teal | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
Indiana Dunes National Park | Voyageurs National Park |
---|---|
Coyote | Coyote |
American Beaver | American Beaver |
Muskrat | Muskrat |
Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
Bobcat | Bobcat |
Striped Skunk | Striped Skunk |
Little Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
Deer Mouse | Deer Mouse |
Raccoon | Raccoon |
Black Bear | Black Bear |
Silver-Haired Bat | Porcupine |
Hoary Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
Red Fox | Hoary Bat |
Long-Tailed Weasel | Red Fox |
House Mouse | Long-Tailed Weasel |
Mink | House Mouse |
Gray Fox | Mountain Lion |
North American River Otter | Mink |
Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Common Gray Fox |
White-Tailed Deer | Plains Wolf |
Virginia Opossum | American Badger |
Eastern Red Bat | Ermine |
White-Footed Mouse | Snowshoe Hare |
Norway Rat | River Otter |
Eastern Cottontail | Masked Shrew |
Amphibians
Indiana Dunes National Park | Voyageurs National Park |
---|---|
Bullfrog | Northern Leopard Frog |
Wood Frog |
Fish
Indiana Dunes National Park | Voyageurs National Park |
---|---|
Largemouth Bass | Largemouth Bass |
Green Sunfish | Longnose Sucker |
Bluegill | Green Sunfish |
Fathead Minnow | Bluegill |
Golden Shiner | Fathead Minnow |
European Carp | Golden Shiner |
Yellow Bullhead | Lake Trout |
Graceful Catfish | Northern Pike |
Black Crappie | Ellpout |
Black Bullhead | Mottled Sculpin |
Mosquitofish | Slimy Sculpin |
Creek Chub | Longnose Dace |
Brown Bullhead | Black Crappie |
Goldfish | Black Bullhead |
Smallmouth Bass | Creek Chub |
Brown Bullhead | |
Smallmouth Bass |
Beautiful Landscapes in Indiana Dunes National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park is located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan, and boasts 15,000 acres of sand dunes, forests, wetlands, and prairies. The park’s most famous landscape is Mount Baldy, a towering sand dune that offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. Visitors can also explore the West Beach, where they can swim, sunbathe, and relax.
Voyageurs National Park, located in northern Minnesota, is centered around four large lakes and the Kabetogama Peninsula. Visitors can enjoy scenic boat tours of the waterways, or explore the park by kayak or canoe. The park’s most famous landscape is the Kabetogama Peninsula, a series of interconnected lakes and channels that provide habitat for a variety of wildlife, including moose, bald eagles, and beavers. Other popular attractions include the Ash River Visitor Center, which offers exhibits on the park’s history and wildlife, and the Kettle Falls Dam, which provides opportunities for fishing and boating.
Things To-Do and Activities in Indiana Dunes National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park and Voyageurs National Park offer a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy. Indiana Dunes is located along the southern shore of Lake Michigan, and is known for its sand dunes, beaches, and wetlands. Visitors to Indiana Dunes can enjoy hiking, fishing, boating, and bird watching. The park also offers a variety of educational programs and ranger-led activities, including beach walks and nature walks.
Voyageurs National Park, located in northern Minnesota, is centered around four large lakes and is known for its water-based recreational opportunities. Visitors can enjoy canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and boating, as well as hiking and camping. The park is also known for its excellent fishing, with a variety of fish species available for anglers to catch.
Both parks offer a variety of recreational opportunities, but Indiana Dunes is known for its sand dunes and beaches, while Voyageurs is known for its water-based activities. Whether you are looking for a relaxing day at the beach or a more adventurous water-based experience, both parks offer something for everyone.
Best Time to Visit Indiana Dunes National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park is located near the southern shore of Lake Michigan and has a temperate climate with warm summers and cold winters. Summer temperatures can reach up to 90°F, making it the perfect time for beach activities. Winter, on the other hand, can be quite harsh with temperatures dropping to below freezing and snow cover making outdoor activities difficult.
Voyageurs National Park, located in northern Minnesota, has a subarctic climate with long, cold winters and short, cool summers. Winter temperatures can drop to -40°F and snow remains on the ground for several months. Summer temperatures are usually in the 40s-60s°F, making it ideal for boating and fishing on the park’s many lakes. The best time to visit Voyageurs National Park is during the summer months when the weather is warmer and road access is easier.
Both parks offer unique activities and experiences, but the weather greatly affects when is the best time to visit. If you are looking for beach activities, Indiana Dunes National Park is the best choice during the summer months. For those who enjoy boating and fishing, Voyageurs National Park is the ideal destination during the summer. On the other hand, if you enjoy winter sports, Voyageurs National Park offers a winter wonderland with frozen lakes perfect for ice fishing and cross-country skiing.
Family Friendliness of Indiana Dunes National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park is a great destination for families with kids. With over 15,000 acres of sand dunes, beaches, prairies, and wetlands, there is plenty to see and do. There are also several kid-friendly activities, including hiking, fishing, and camping. The park is also home to several picnic areas, making it a great spot for families to relax and take in the natural beauty.
On the other hand, Voyageurs National Park is also a great choice for families with kids. This park is located in northern Minnesota, and is known for its vast network of lakes and waterways. There are many opportunities for boating, fishing, and kayaking, as well as hiking and camping. There are also several ranger-led programs and educational activities, making it an ideal choice for families who want to learn more about the natural world.
Both Indiana Dunes National Park and Voyageurs National Park offer unique and exciting experiences for families with kids. However, if you’re looking for a park with more outdoor activities and opportunities for adventure, Indiana Dunes might be the better choice. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a park that offers more educational opportunities and a chance to learn about the natural world, Voyageurs might be the better choice. Ultimately, the best park for your family will depend on your specific interests and travel style.