Battle To The Dunes - Full route

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Chicago, IL, US

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Route Overview

Out Our Front Door

Bike Camping Chicago & The Lower Lake Rim

203 km

459 m

A bike camping route from Chicago to Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and back!

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Route Details

# Two Day Bike Camping Route: Chicago to Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
___
**5% Crushed Limestone | 95% Paved routes.**  
Starts and returns to [Buckingham Fountain](https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/clarence-f-buckingham-memorial-fountain) Chicago, Illinois.  
**Difficulty Level:** Easy to Moderate.   
**Best Time to go:** June through October.

## Park & Trip Description 
[Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore](https://www.nps.gov/indu/index.htm) | Large sand dunes located beyond the entire shoreline have taken thousands of years to form and tower nearly 200 feet above Lake Michigan. An afternoon bike ride from Chicago can take you to 2,182 acres of primitive, beautiful, historic and unique Hoosier landscape at Indiana Dunes State Park.

On this trip you'll come learn the Lake Michigan shoreline of southern Chicago and northwestern Indiana reveal the marks of a century-long conflict over land use in the region. Sand dunes, steel mills, power lines, marsh land, and a commercial harbor share a ten-mile stretch along the lakeshore. These blimp in time squabbles may pale in comparison to what laid here tens of thousands of years ago... You'll learn the struggle for a National Park and discover the birthplace of ecology, the rise of Steel, and pop in one of the last remaining wood-smoked seafood shacks in Illinois, for a mouth-watering snack.

You'll cruise past remnants of the [1893's Chicago Worlds fair](http://www.architecture.org/learn/resources/architecture-dictionary/entry/worlds-columbian-exposition-of-1893/), world class museum campuses, Daniel Burnham and Jackson Parks, Century of Progress Homes, to the beginnings of green spaces in Chicago, and most important of all spend an evening and morning enjoying the Sand Dunes of the Indiana Dunes National Lake Shore and State Park beaches.

## The Route

Starting from Buckingham fountain there are two main routes you can choose from. The safest route is mostly on bicycle paths, it adds 10 more miles to the ride but it offers a more safe, off the road route. The advanced route is direct but it does contain sections that are on the road (U.S. Route 12).

**Day One:** | @slice[Relaxed Bike Paths, 69 mile Route](d,0,110350.62) | Starting from Buckingham Fountian you'll follow along the Lake Front Trial along Chicago's South Side Lake Michigan Shores. You'll cruise past remnants of the 1893's Chicago Worlds fair, world class museum campuses, Daniel Burnham and Jackson Parks, to the beginnings of green spaces in Chicago. A highlight of the ride is the Oak Savannah Trail in Indiana. Prepare to be enthralled and enveloped in this lush landscape. This route is the safest route to the dunes as it mostly follows bicycle paths.

**Day Two:** | @slice[Advance Industry Roads, 54 mile Route](d,110216.92,201553.33) | Cyclists taking this advanced route should already have knowledge of, and be comfortable with, on the road riding. @slice[Sections are truly daring, and the road narrows to no shoulder at all within 3 miles of the state park.](d,115534.91,131979.87) Therefore Cyclists not familiar with the area are recommended to take the more relaxed bike trail path back or take the train home.

**Optional Train Station:** The @poi[Dune Park Train station](8702185) located near the entance of the State Park offers you a chance to take the train directly to the park from Chicago. This is great for beginners who want to bike there but may be unsure if they can bike back. This is also great if you want to stay for Day two and hike the dunes.

## Trip Highlights

* @point[Beach Swimming](d,113991.01) 
* @point[Dune Hiking](d,114107.28)
* @point[Intense Ecosystems](d,112724.09)
* @point[World Class Muesuems](d,11641.82)
* @point[Heavy Industry, Posinous Slag, Flames, the Rise of Steel.](d,164089.51)
* @poi[Cool 1933 Chicago World's Fair Century of Progress Homes](8712436)
* Not getting sand in your shorts, Lakeside Riding & More

## At The Dunes
The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore hugs 15 miles 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 lakeshore's 15,000 acres will enchant you.  Hikers will enjoy 50 miles of trails over rugged dunes, mysterious wetlands, sunny prairies, meandering rivers and peaceful forests.

Did you know? The biological diversity within the national lakeshore is amongst the highest per unit area of all our national parks. It features more than 1,100 native plants ranking it fourth in plant diversity among all National Park Service sites. Over 1,100 flowering plant species and ferns make their homes here.

## Lodging Accmodations
Camping can be had at the State Park or at the National Lakeshore campground, both provide a variety of camping options. You can also stay in a nearby hotel for a more comfortable stay.

**Camping:**
* [Indiana Dunes State Park Camping](https://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/indiana-dunes-state-park/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=IN&parkId=570035) (reservations accepted) Visit their website and reserve online.
* [Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Camping - Dunewood Campground](https://www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm) This is our preferred spot. We especially recommend the walk-in sites. Unfortunately, this site does not accept reservations. First come first served. Learn more by visiting their website.
# 
**Local Hotels:**
* [Econo Lodge](https://goo.gl/maps/4aC5jBfnrSq) - Riding your bike from here to the State park is easy with a nice 5 foot road shoulder to ride on. Special added bonus- the State Park visitor center is on the way and close to here.
* [Spring House Inn](https://goo.gl/maps/mvHqQjSnH2T2) - Staying here allows you to bike on a trail right from your hotel to the State Park and national lakeshore.
#
## Bike Shops On Route
* @poi[Bicycle Clinic](9511706) - On 71st Street in Chicago
* @poi[Trailblazers Bike Barn](9511702) - On Oak Savannah Trail in Hobart
* @poi[Chesterton Bicycle Station](9511703)- On 4th Street in Chesterton
# 
## More resources

For Maps and brochures of the park & area visit the [Visitor Center](https://www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/idnlvc.htm), they have restrooms, guides, a theater and real live people to answer your questions. For information regarding:
* [Available trains & schedules near the park visit the South Shore Train website](https://www.mysouthshoreline.com/tickets/maps-stations) - Only certain stations allow [bikes](https://www.mysouthshoreline.com/bikes/)
* [Extended info about the National Lakeshore by NPS](https://www.nps.gov/indu/index.htm)
* @photo[View photos from the trip](4590604)
* @poi[18th St Brewery](9511705)

#
## Important Reminders

Take care to ensure whatever you bring in is taken out. Be sure to stay on the established trails to not disturb this fragile ecosystem and cause a blowout. Be a part of legacy created by conservationists and protect this National Treasure.

Enjoy Your Trip!

To learn more about the Out Our Front Door Organization and what we do please visit [www.outourfrontdoor.org](http://www.outourfrontdoor.org)

Battle To The Dunes - Full route

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Battle To The Dunes - Full route

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