I recently embarked on a 12-day Great Lakes road trip through Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan. This post kicks off a multi-part series where I’ll be sharing my favorite stops, hidden gems, and all the highlights along the way.
Indiana Dunes National Park, IN
The start of our Great Lakes loop, wrapped in wildflowers and golden light
A Golden Afternoon on the Shore
We began our Great Lakes Loop with a peaceful drive west toward the shores of Lake Michigan, the kind of soft landing that gives you space to breathe, stretch, and settle into the rhythm of the road. It was exactly the start I needed to reconnect with the part of me that is, always, wild and free.
Indiana Dunes National Park straddles the line between rugged and serene, with towering dunes shaped by centuries of wind, soft sandy trails bordered by bursts of wildflowers, and warm breezes off the water that instantly melted road trip stress away.
Before hitting the trails, we stopped for dinner at Val’s Famous Pizza and Grinders, a local spot that served up exactly what we needed after a day on the road. Big portions, no frills, and seriously good pizza. Full and happy, we made our way into the park with that satisfied, let’s-go-explore energy.
It was the kind of place that invites you to breathe deeper, walk slower, and let your thoughts quiet down. No rush. No noise. Just the hush of waves and wind and the sense that we’d landed in exactly the right spot to begin.
Trails, Wildflowers & Dune Views
We started our exploration at Mount Baldy, one of the tallest dunes in the park. While we didn’t climb it, we took the short trail to the shoreline where we could admire the massive dune rising behind us.
Next, we walked part of the Dune Succession Trail, a moderate loop with stairs and boardwalks that traces the changing landscape from beach to forest. It’s a fascinating look at how dunes evolve over time, though the trail was more about terrain and ecology than sweeping views.
Later, we explored the Great Marsh Trail, full of Queen Anne’s lace, black-eyed Susans, and tall prairie grasses waving in the breeze. Bees buzzed through the air, butterflies drifted between blooms, and everything felt alive in that full-summer kind of way. The trail winds through restored wetlands and offers a quiet, more intimate side of the park, lush, green, and humming with life.
The sand was warm, soft, and everywhere by the end, but honestly, I didn’t mind.
Beach Time & the Power of Doing Nothing
We wrapped up the day at Marquette Beach, which ended up being our favorite stop. The sun was low in the sky, a live band was playing near the pavilion, and people were dancing barefoot in the sand, kids, couples, families, everyone just fully in the moment.
We grabbed some ice cream from Beach Buds NWI, the restaurant located right inside the park, and wandered toward the shoreline, where the crowd began to thin out. The music and laughter were the perfect backdrop. The breeze was soft, the lake calm, and the sky was already beginning to shift into gold.
Golden Hour on Lake Michigan
We stayed until the sun fully disappeared behind the horizon. The sky lit up in layers of gold, pink, and lavender, casting a warm glow over the lake and the dunes behind us. Even with music playing and people still dancing nearby, it felt like we had a private view of something magical.
There’s a hush that happens at sunset, even when the world is busy. Everything softens. Everything slows. And sitting there on the sand, full of sugar and peace, I thought, this is exactly how a road trip should begin.
With hearts full and sand still in our shoes, we called it a night in nearby lodging, rested, reset, and ready for what was next. The following morning, we traded the quiet, peaceful sands of the lakeshore for the towering skyline and energy of the concrete jungle: Chicago.
Travel Notes
- Park Fee: $25 per car for a 1–7 day pass (covered by America the Beautiful pass)
- Entrances Used: Mount Baldy, West Beach, Great Marsh Trail
- Trail Recap:
- Mount Baldy Trail (to shoreline view)
- Part of Dune Succession Trail
- Great Marsh Trail
- Food Stop: Val’s Famous Pizza and Grinders, great for a pre-hike meal
- Ice Cream Stop: Beach Buds NWI, located at Marquette Beach and perfect for sunset snacks
- Restrooms & Parking: Available at West Beach and the visitor center
- Timing Tip: Plan to stay for sunset, it’s absolutely worth it
- Time to Spend: You can definitely hit the highlights in a day, but it could easily stretch into two days if you’re into longer trail time, or several days if your vibe is more soaking up the sun on the beach.
Final Thoughts
If you’re planning a Midwest road trip and looking for the perfect way to ease into the journey, Indiana Dunes National Park is it. Not too busy, not too intense, just room to breathe, trails to wander, and space to begin. It set the tone for the whole trip, a reminder to stay curious, stay barefoot, and stay a little wild and free.
She is Wild & Free 
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