Cool off your cabin fever with an afternoon exploring the trails near Beverly Shores.

Photos and story by: Beth Rudnick

Location: USGS Great Lakes Science Center, 1574 N. 300 E, Beverly Shores, IN

Hours: 6am - 11pm

Trail Length: Paved - Science Center trail .5 miles; Great Marsh Trail 1.7 miles.

Entrance Cost: Free

Parking: Yes

Dog Friendly: Yes, on a leash.

Restrooms: No

As the weather turns brisker, there's no reason to ditch the dunes -- even if you are not a cold-weather warrior. There are plenty of easier trails for the less stout hikers who want to warm up to nature without chilling their bones.

Dunewood Trace is a shorter paved trail.

The Great Lakes Science Center is the starting point for a stunning, tree-sheltered walk or hike, offering both a paved, easy trail as well as longer, "off-road" hike. This time of year the scenery is spectacular, but even an eventual snow pack adds festive charm. (And, makes it a great spot to x-country ski!). The paved trail is less than a mile with benches along the way. The Great Lakes Science Center is located at 1574 N 300 E, otherwise known as the intersection of Highway 12 and Kemil Beach Road in Beverly Shores.

Another short, paved, and handicap-accessible walk is along the Great Marsh Trail off Broadway in Beverly Shores (with access to a longer, non-paved walk along the marshes). If birding is your thing, the overlook offers a chance to spot Northwest Indiana's larger winged friends. The accessible parking is the 2nd small lot off Broadway heading North.

The Great Marsh Trail is a great spot for bird watching

It's well worth it to grab the gloves and scarf and enjoy the newly redesigned Lake View on Lake Front Drive before leaving Beverly Shores. A few years ago rising lake levels levels decimated this area but it has been redesigned and reopened with benches and spectacular lake views. There is lake access here as well.

There are many spots to see the beach along Lake Front Drive in Beverly Shores

Be sure to stop at Over Yonder Dunes Gift Shop before heading home and pick up a reminder of the beauty our dunes has to offer. You can recharge with a cup of warm soup at Joe and Freddy's or a delicious craft cocktail at Goblin & the Grocer, both located along Highway 12.

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