Dunbar Group Site

The Dunbar Group Site is in Indiana Dunes National Park, which hugs 15 miles (24 km) of the southern shore of Lake Michigan and has much to offer. Whether you enjoy scouting for rare species of birds or flying kites on the sandy beach, the national park's 15,000 acres (6070 ha) will continually enchant you, and hikers will enjoy 50 miles (80 km) of trails over rugged dunes, mysterious wetlands, sunny prairies, meandering rivers and peaceful forests. The group site is tent only and nonelectric. There is no one-size-fits-all trip to the dunes — each season offers new and different ways to enjoy the park. Spring splashes the river banks of the Heron Rookery with an abundance of colorful wildflowers in this birder's paradise. Lake Michigan summer sunsets paint the skies with vibrant rays that offer a picture-perfect picnic setting. In the fall, maple trees burst with warm red and golden hues, crafting a spectacular backdrop for a hike by the Chellberg Farm, and winter brings a scenic canvas of virgin white snow begging for a cross-country skiing adventure in the Glenwood Dunes. As the seasons change, so do the recreational opportunities, park facility operating hours and closures, and safety concerns. Activities in the park include beach-going and swimming, biking, bird watching, camping, fishing and boating, hiking, geocaching, historical sites, horseback riding, interpretive programs, picnicking, winter activities and guided tours. The park is a treasure of diverse natural resources located within an urban setting, featuring communities that have both scientific and historic significance to the field of ecology. Four National Natural Landmarks — including Pinhook Bog and Cowles Bog — and one National Historical Landmark, the Bailly Homestead, are located within its boundaries. Its dunes, oak savannas, swamps, bogs, marshes, prairies, rivers and forests span 15 miles (24 km) of Lake Michigan shoreline from Gary to Michigan City, and the park's beaches are its most significant recreational resource. Dunbar Beach, situated along the shoreline of Lake Michigan, is approximately 0.2 miles (.32 km) from the group camp site, and several other national park beaches are within easy driving distance. Do NOT park in the Town of Beverly Shores' beach parking lot, located just to the east of the Lake View lot — the town strictly enforces parking laws and you will get ticketed. A gas station and convenience store is a quarter mile north of the campground at the intersection of U.S. Highway 12 and Broadway Avenue, and the Beverly Shores South Shore Railroad station, with passenger service to Chicago and South Bend, is a quarter mile (.4 km) north on Broadway Avenue.