In the past others have come to the southern shore of Lake Michigan. Joseph Bailly, Anders Kjellberg, Stephen Mather, Frank V. Dudley, Dorothy Buell and others discovered what the Potawatomis knew long ago; the dunes are more than just sand and beaches. A land with over 1400 different vascular plants species and are spread out over 15,000 acres of dunes, marshes, woodlands, river, and bog. Today with over 200 years of human history and thanks to the efforts of many dedicated Americans visitors are encouraged to walk the trails of the lakeshore.

Botanist Dr. Henry Chandler Cowles wrote, "The Indiana dunes are a common meeting ground of trees and wildflowers from all directions." Today the dunes have become a common meeting ground for people from around the world who are discovering the many wonders of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. We certainly hope our website will inspire you to come and explore the dunes yourself.