Traveling With a Dog: Indiana Dunes National Park
When my dog’s birthday was coming up, I knew I wanted to do something bigger and a bit grander than we had done before. Why? Because it was her tenth birthday! Over the last two years, we have been collecting B.A.R.K. Ranger tags at National Park sites, but my dog, Reese, had yet to go to a National Park.
With this in mind, I knew we had to go to one. Living on the East Coast, the options are a bit more limited, but they are still there. I had never been directly west of Pennsylvania; consequently, neither had Reese, and that’s when he set our hearts on traveling Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois in four days. We started in Pittsburgh, stopped in Cleveland, stayed in Merrillville, and took a day trip to Chicago.
Admittedly, because it was colder outside (we went in November), I wanted this trip to be a lot more relaxing and less strenuous so Reese wasn’t cold, and we could both relax for our birthdays while still seeing some exciting sites. Due to the length of the trip, we only spent one day in Indiana Dunes National Park, but for us, this was more than enough time to enjoy the park's beauty and take some calm hikes.
Reese unpacking her bags at Tru by Hilton Merrillville.
Where to Stay
If you’ve read our other travel blogs, then you know where I’m going to say that Reese and I stayed. If you haven’t, then welcome to our favorite hotel chain: Tru by Hilton. Reese and I always stay at a Tru by Hilton for every trip we take, and this one was no different. We stayed in Tru by Hilton Merrillville, about 30 minutes outside of the National Park, and it was the perfect location.
This hotel is surrounded by restaurants and stores, so your dinner is right there, and if you forgot anything, you have the easy convenience of stopping in somewhere. We were also able to easily get gas before setting off for the day. Tru by Hilton offers complimentary breakfast, and most locations also offer free parking. We aren’t ones for camping, and we love ending the day with dinner in bed and a movie playing, so this is our paradise.
This chain is also very dog-friendly, with dog stations outside the hotel and waste bags available. Dogs typically cost $50-75 per stay, and if you have a service dog, they stay free. We have never had a problem at a Tru by Hilton and have been staying at them across the East Coast for the past four years. I can’t recommend them enough.
Where to Hike
When going to Indiana Dunes National Park, I recommend first starting at the Visitor Center and then seeing everything. This is for a couple of reasons. The park rangers at the visitor center are going to help you pay for your parking pass as well as give you a sheet for the B.A.R.K. Ranger program. They can also tell you about the 3 Dunes Challenge and other fun facts about areas you will be seeing in the park. After that, it’s time to explore!
Reese in her winter jacket on the Dune Succession Trail.
Dune Succession Trail (1.0 mile – moderate):
This was my mom’s favorite trail that we went on, and it was almost entirely stairs. Even in November, it offers great views of the different plants and life that live among the sand. Throughout the trail, there is a ton of information about Diana of the Dunes, the woman who lived among the Indiana dunes to advocate for their importance. She became somewhat of an urban legend among the surrounding communities, and her impact on the dunes was wonderful to read about. In the middle of this trail, there is also access to the beach if you want to walk along the water or play in the sand.
Reese on top of Mount Baldy.
Mount Baldy Beach Trail (1.0 mile – easy):
Even the parking lot of Mount Baldy is amazing to look at. Mount Baldy is the biggest dune in the National Park and even shifts throughout the year. It is very much alive. It’s quite a sight to see and cannot be missed while at the park. The trail is rather easy, and the only difficulty is getting down to the beach. If you’re anything like my dog, you’re just going to run down it, and you’ll be okay. From this point, you can walk along either side of the beach and enjoy the water. If you look closely enough on a clear day, you can also see the skyline of Chicago across the water!
Where to Go
Since we went at a colder time of year, we wanted to do fewer hikes and more short stops to get back to the warmth of the car sooner. Since we weren’t coming here to swim, the fall was an excellent time of year to go and offered some beautifully gloomy sights without all the people around.
During our time in Indiana Dunes National Park, we also went to:
Century of Progress District
Dunbar Beach
West Beach
Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk
Reese and I at Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk.
If you love history or have an interest in abstract architecture, the Century of Progress District is a must. It features multiple homes that were built during the second Chicago World’s Fair, which were thought to be what homes in the future would look like. Our favorite was the pink home that looked like it was straight out of Barbie, and at the end of the day, it is pretty similar to what a modern Florida home looks like. After stopping at the Century of Progress District, we took a short walk down to Dunbar Beach to take a walk and see the houses from the back as well. It was a great way to start the day, and Reese’s first time on the beach!
The Dune Succession Trail is going to lead to the West Beach and is a great place to swim or relax after tackling all those stairs during the hike. I recommend coming here and taking a breather before heading back to the car, as the view and atmosphere were very peaceful and serene. It also gives time to reflect on the life of Diana of the Dunes and everything she did for the park you are currently having fun in.
When we went to Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk, we were completely alone, and it was so nice. Just the sound of the water hitting against the surrounding rocks is a great reason to go. Do make sure to go when the tide isn’t too rough, especially when it’s colder outside or you’re asking to be frozen to the bone by splashing water. We stayed out here for a while, enjoying the view and surrounding sounds, and Reese loved watching the water splash everywhere just as much!
Albanese Candy Factory in Merrillville.
Extra Stops
If you do stay in Tru by Hilton Merrillville, an extra stop that is almost mandatory is the Albanese Candy Factory! We had no idea it was near where we were staying, but it is loved by the community and was suggested to us at every place we went to. When I went in, I couldn’t believe my eyes. The interior is magical, and there are so many gummies and other candies to choose from. There are even massive 10-pound bags of gummies that didn’t visually check all the boxes but are just as delicious. We bought two.
Many local businesses are wonderful to check out as well, such as The Market on 12 (the owner is so nice), Cats Eye Vintage, and Over Yonder Gift Shop. We purchased a couple of postcards, stickers, and a handmade ornament, but tons of art and beautiful items can be found along Route 12.
Note: When adding on extra stops, one person stays in the car with Reese while the other goes into the shop, or wherever, to explore. If you’re going on a trip with a dog, I recommend going with another dog lover so you can take shifts dog-sitting in the car.
The next day, we took our day trip to Chicago, which we will talk all about in our Traveling With a Dog: Chicago article!
Full Itinerary
Everyone’s trips look different and can be adjusted to best fit their furry companion, but I hope this gave a base outline for a great trip by itself! For our full itinerary, including driving time, please see below. We hope to see you on our next trip!
Reese’s Indiana Dunes National Park Itinerary.
