There are 3 National Parks found in Indiana, having more than 2 million visitors every year. National Parks in Indiana is the area reserved by the National government to preserve natural surroundings.
The area for the national park may be reserved for public recreation and enjoyment, for its future generation, or as a result, historical significance and worth.
These three National Parks in Indiana have different values and stories to inform. They have their significance and values that make them different from each other.
Let’s explore the beauty of these 3 National Parks of Indiana.
- George Rogers Clark National Historical Park
- Indiana Dunes National Park
- Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial
1. George Rogers Clark National Historical Park
By: Mick Nikkles on Flickr
George Rogers Clark National Historical Park is located in Vincennes, Southwest Indiana, U.S. It is situated on the banks of the Wabash River.
George Rogers Clark National Historical Park is considered the believed site of Fort Sackville.
It is a memorial stand on the site of Fort Sackville to commemorate the capture of the fort from the British Army by George Rogers Clark and his American army men. It gives you a glimpse of the American Revolutionary war.
This park is the memorial to American Colonel George Rogers Clark, who showed his bravery during the American revolutionary war by defeating British Lieutenant Governor Henry Hamilton. It is one of the nation’s national historical parks.
Inside the memorial, there is a bronze statue of the American Lt. Colonel George Rogers Clark and seven murals standing proudly and depicting the story of George Rogers Clark’s bravery.
History of George Rogers Clark Memorial
By: Marissa Priddis on Flickr
Fort Sackville is one of the several forts that hold a unique significance in the American revolution. British Lieutenant Governor Edward Abbot constructed Fort Sackville in 1777. It was named after Lord George Germain (Lord Sackville).
On February 23, 1779, George Rogers Clark, aided by French residents of the Illinois country, with his army men, attacked the British army led by Lieutenant Governor Henry Hamilton. Along with his army men, George Clark had to march through freezing water to gain victory.
Clark’s successes in capturing the Fort Sackville land helped the United States to gain territory, which would become present-day Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, and eastern Minnesota.
Basic Information
Operating Hours
According to the National park service, the park is open seven days a week and is closed on most federal holidays except Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day.
The opening time is 9 am and the closing time is 5 pm.
Park’s Entry fee
There is no entry fee.
Visitor Center
Visitor Center is a great place to start visiting George Rogers Clark National Historical Park. Visitor Center is a small exhibit area, and there you can watch 30 minutes short park film “Long Knives,” which is about the backstory of George Rogers Clark and his military campaign.
So, this is all about George Rogers Clark National Historical Park. I hope you all like it and find it useful.
2. Indiana Dunes National Park
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Indiana Dunes National park, located in northern Indiana, stretches over 20 miles along the southern shore of Lake Michigan, governed by the National Park Service.
Earlier it was known as Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore but later redesignated as the nation’s 61st national park in February 2015. It gives you an exotic view of Lake Michigan.
It offers 15,000 acres of natural adventure, 1,100 flowering plants, 352 species of birds, 32 species of reptiles, 50 miles of trails over dunes and tranquil forests, 15 miles of Great Lake Shoreline, and so much more.
Indiana Dunes National Park in Indiana is rich in wildlife, flora, fauna, flowering plants, exotic and rare species, unusual sightings, and many more.
Indiana Dunes National Park’s biodiversity ranks seventh out of 400 plus National Park Services units. It is one of the busiest national parks in Indiana.
The park runs over 15 miles of beaches and dunes, bogs, marshes, fens, prairies, rivers, oak savannas, wetlands, and woodland forests. It is also noted for its singing sands. The park establishes a sister park relationship with Poland’s Kampinos National Park.
In 2012, the Dunes National Park Association was established as a non-profit organization to support the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.
Beyond the entire shoreline, large dunes have taken thousands of years to form and tower approximately 200 feet above Lake Michigan. A wide range of habitats and plant species are found in the park.
Things To Do And Try In Indiana Dunes National Park
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Hiking: Several hiking trails over rugged dunes of varying length and difficulty levels can be found in Indiana Dunes NP. Hiking is favorable in every season.
Hiking is rewarding in every season. You can hike through more than 14 distinct trail systems covering more than 50 miles of trails.
The 14 hiking trails consist of Bailly Homestead, Chellberg Farm, Little Calumet River, Mnoke` Prairie trails, Calumet Dunes Trail, Cowles Bog Trail, Dune Ridge trail, Great Marsh Trail, and many more.
Camping and Fishing: Camping and Fishing is one of the best relaxing outdoor activities. It offers overnight camping from April to October at the Dunewood Campground.
You can enjoy fishing in the Little Calumet River. Portage lakefront pier offers lakeside fishing and Camping as well.
Exploring Sights and Historical landmark: Historic Landmarks include Bailly Homestead, Chellberg Farm, Good Yellow Youth Camp, and many more.
You can also explore 1933’s World’s Fair Century of Progress Homes consisting of Armco-Ferro house, Cypress Log Cabin, House Of Tomorrow, Weibolt- Rostone House, and Florida Tropical House.
Horseback Riding: You can enjoy horseback riding only on the specified portion of the Glenwood Dunes Trails From mid-March to mid-December. Horseback riding is a recreational activity for Indiana Dunes National Park visitors in Indiana.
It also offers many other recreational activities like Biking, Birdwatching, guided tours, and so much more. It also offers incentive programs to visitors.
You can enjoy bird watching, scouting for rare species of birds, or flying kites on the sandy beach. It offers an exotic and mesmerizing view of Indiana’s seashore of Lake Michigan.
3. Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial
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Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial is located in Lincoln City, Indiana. It is United States Presidential Memorial and National Historic Landmark district. It gives you a glimpse of the childhood of the late US President Abraham Lincoln.
Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial conserves the farm site of Abraham Lincoln, where he lived with his family and spent 14 years of his life. This park also includes the living historical farm.
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States of America. This memorial commemorates the childhood of Abraham Lincoln. In 1960, it was named a National Historic Landmark.
Abraham grew up from younger to adulthood in this southern Indiana soil. He had spent his childhood in southern Indiana, today known as Lincoln City. His mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, was buried in the nearby pioneer cemetery.
Memorial Building
This memorial building is one of the historic sites. This memorial building is built to memorialize Abraham Lincoln. It was completed in 1945 and featured five sculpted panels showing different phases of Lincoln’s life.
It has a small theatre featuring a short documentary film based on President- Lincoln’s early life. There is also a museum and art gallery.
Lincoln Living Historical Farm
By: EWY Media on Shutterstock
The Lincoln living historical farm is located inside the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial. This park is open year-round and offers the opportunity to explore a Lincoln living historical farm and how it works.
The farm is open seasonally from mid-spring to early fall. This living farm raises livestock, cultivates crops, and many more.
Places to Visit
The Memorial Visitor Center
The Memorial Visitor Center is a great place to start visiting Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial. The visitor center briefs you about the importance of the memorial of Lincoln’s early life.
You can find two memorial halls, a museum, and an orientation film inside. The Park film is about the early years of Abraham Lincoln.
Pioneer Cemetery, Indiana
Lincoln’s mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, and other settlers were buried.
Cabin site memorial
According to National Park Service U.S, In-Cabin memorial site, there are 12 historic stones arranged in chronological order at irregular intervals.
Small bronze tablets located near each stone briefly tell you about the events in Lincoln’s life associated with each memorial stone.
Lincoln’s Spring
It served as a water source for the Lincoln family.
Other Indiana Beauties
Lincoln State Park
Lincoln State Park is a state park of Indiana, located in Southern Indiana in Spencer Country. The park was established in 1932 and runs over 1,747 acres.
This park provides access to many sites important to Abraham Lincoln during his childhood, including Lincoln’s Boyhood Home, the little Pigeon Creek Cemetery, and the home of Colonel Jones.
Lincoln state park offers 10 miles of hiking trails, two beautiful lakes campgrounds, and an interpretive center to help you experience the early life of settlers living in Southern Indiana. This park is open year-round.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources administers the park. Lincoln City is nearest to Lincoln’s State Park. Sarah Lincoln Woods Nature Preserve has two scenic lakes, campgrounds, group cottages, and cabins.
The Colonel William Jones Home: The state park includes the restored Colonel William Jones House near Gentryville. He was a war officer, merchant, farmer and politician, and colonel during American Civil War. The home was built in 1934.
This State Park is a memorial to Lincoln’s mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln. The Little Pigeon Creek Baptist Church and Cemetery are also located on this property, where Abraham Lincoln’s sister Sarah Lincoln Grigsby was buried.
This state park offers several camping sites, hiking trails, rolling forested hills, horseback riding, swimming, and so much more. Seasonal programs are offered at the Lincoln Interpretive Center, the park’s nature center.
Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
Lewis And Clark National Historic Trail is a part of the National Trail System of the United States, the route across the United States Commemorating the Lewis And Clark Expedition.
It is approximately 4,900 miles long, extending from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon. In 1978, the Lewis And Clark Heritage helped to establish the Lewis And Clark National Historic Trail.
The trail is managed by the National Park Service and managed by federal management agencies, state, tribal, and local organizations. The Lewis and Clark trail official headquarter is located at the National Park Service Midwest regional headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska.
The trail connects 16 states consisting of Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Lowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and many tribal lands.
To travel the entire Lewis And Clark National historic trail from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to the Pacific Ocean needs at least 4 to 5 weeks, depending on the mode of transportation.
Visitor Centre
Lewis And Clark National Historic Trail Visitor Centre is situated on the banks of the Missouri River. Visitors are welcome to meet with Park Ranger to learn more about the Lewis And Clark history or gather information about it.
Visitor Centre offers various opportunities for public recreation and enjoyment. It helps you gather information for planning their next stop on their journey along with the Lewis And Clark National Historic Trail.
Visitor Centre offers various activities and programs to the visitors, including power ranger programs, interactive exhibits, films, National Park trip planning, etc. Visitor Centre is the best place to start your journey to Lewis And Clark NHT.
Indiana Dunes State Park
Indiana Dunes State Park is located in Porter country, Indiana, United States, stretching over 47 miles east of Chicago, bounded by Lake Michigan to the northwest. It is surrounded by and encircled authorized boundaries of Indiana Dunes National Park.
It is administered by a unit of the National Park Service(NPS) and additionally operated by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
It was established in 1925 and then designated as National Natural Landmark in 1974. The closest city to the state park is Chesterton, Indiana.
The park is open year-round. It was one among the foremost visited state parks with quite 3 million guests in 2018-2019
Facilities And Activities
Indiana Dunes State Park offers several fun activities and facilities. Activities are mentioned below:
Swimming And Sunbathing: This place offers swimming and sunbathing facilities to visitors. A tiny portion of the shoreline is preserved as a public swimming beach and is overlooked by lifeguards between Memorial and Labor Day weekends.
It’s an awfully neat and clean beach to get pleasure from swimming on hot sunny days. Over a pair of miles, the rest of the beach is ready aside for sunbathing, beachcombing, and lots of alternative fun activities.
It provides concessions on Beach homes throughout the summer seasons.
Birdwatching: You can enjoy bird watching as a recreational activity. A bird observation tower is located along the trail.
It offers picnic shelters, hiking trails, guided hiking tours, interpretive Naturalist service, and so much more.
There are a total of 26 Indiana State Parks, which consist of Brown Country State Park, Chain O’Lakes State Park, Charlestown State Park, Clifty State Park, Falls of the Ohio State Park, Fort Harrison State Park, Harmonie State Park, McCormicks Creek State Park, Mounds State Park, Pokagon State Park, Oubache State Park and many more.
Conclusion:
Indiana is a site to three national parks: George Rogers Clark NHP, Indiana Dunes National Park, Lincoln Boyhood National memorial, 26 state parks, 42 Historic Landmarks, 30 national Natural Landmarks, 226 archaeological sites, 486 places recorded by the Heritage Documentation Program, and so much more.
This place is no less than heaven for explorers. So, if you are one, you know where your next trip should be.
Last Updated on by Sathi
