Indiana LogoIndiana Black and White Logo
Favorites
Home
  • Best of Indiana

    Best of Indiana

    • The Twenty in 20 Lists
    • State Nature Passport
    • You Voted - See the Winners!

    VIDEOS

    • Katie's Home-State Adventures
  • Things To Do

    Attractions

    • Museums
    • Historic Sites
    • Entertainment
    • Music, Art & Theater
    • Cities & Downtowns
    • Tours
    • Zoos
    • Sacred Places
    • Amusement & Water Parks
    • Casinos & Gaming
    • Spas
    • Themed Trails
    • Roadside Attractions

    Outdoors & Sports

    • State Parks & Gardens
    • Outdoor Recreation
    • Farms & Orchards
    • Lakes & Water Sports
    • Hiking & Biking Trails
    • Motorsports & Sports Teams
    • Golf
    • Ziplining
    • Camping
    • Horseback Riding

    Shopping

    • Made in Indiana
    • Antiques & Flea Markets
    • Sweet Treats & Food
    • Home & Gifts
    • Downtown Shopping
    • Outlets & Malls
    • Artisans & Handcrafts
    • Farmers Markets

    Visitor Services

    • Visitor Centers
    • Convention & Visitors Bureaus
    • Chambers of Commerce
    • Associations / Councils

    Agritourism

    • Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries
    • Seasonal U-Picks
    • Trails & Tours
    • Farming, Growing & Eating

    On a Budget?

    • Discounts
    • FREE Things to Do
  • Road Trips
  • Events

    Events & Festivals

    • Holiday & Season Celebrations
    • History & Cultural Festivals
    • Fairs & City Festivals
    • Music & Dance
    • Arts & Crafts
    • Theater & Movies
    • Food, Beer & Wine
    • Nature & Outdoors
    • Sports & Competitions
    • Vehicles & Collectors
    • Antiques & Shopping
    • Families & Kids

    On a Budget?

    • FREE Admission
  • Lodging

    Lodging

    • Hotels / Motels
    • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns
    • Campgrounds
    • Cabins
    • Resorts / Lodges
    • Vacation Rentals

    On a Budget?

    • Lodging Discounts
  • Food & Drink

    Food & Drink

    • Restaurants
    • Wineries
    • Breweries
    • Food Tours
    • Fresh Markets
    • Distilleries
    • Event Venues

    On a Budget?

    • Discounts
  • Brochures
  • Contests
  • Discounts
  • Blog
  • About Indiana
  • Contact Us
  • Email Subscribe
  • For the Media
  • For Travel Professionals
  • Hoosiers by Choice
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Indiana Insider Blog
  • Top 5 Outdoor Winter Spots Along the South Shore

Top 5 Outdoor Winter Spots Along the South Shore

By Visit Indiana on January 17, 2018
Back

Don’t let the cold keep you cooped up inside this winter! These five spots Along the South Shore of Lake Michigan are the perfect cure for your winter blues.

Shelf Ice
The Indiana Dunes are marvelous year-round. Shelf ice is a natural occurrence that mimics landscapes of arctic regions. It attaches itself to the shores of the beach, not the bottom of Lake Michigan. Waves crash onto the floating ice and collects on the shore, freezing as the temperature drops and creates a shelf.

The formations can be viewed at any beach but Whiting’s Lakefront at Whihala Beach, West Beach, or Lake View in Beverly Shores are visitor favorites. The Michigan City Lighthouse and Pier also offers a breathtaking view when frozen and offers great photography if you can brave the chilly air. Be warned, shelf ice is not stable and extremely dangerous. Be advised – NEVER walk on shelf ice.

Shelf ice along Lake Michigan

Bison
As part of a multi-agency study of bison genetics, an additional 10 bison have been added to the herd at The Nature Conservancy’s Kankakee Sands. At one time, more than 50 million bison roamed North America but by the year 1889 the population dwindled to less than 1,000. A herd of bison were added to the Restoration Area at Kankakee Sands in Morocco to help invigorate the nature prairie landscapes by eating grasses to increase plant diversity. There is a viewing area available to visitors to watch the bison and their calves in their natural state. More than 25,000 acres of land provide additional opportunities for wildlife and bird watching. Read more about the bison here.

Bison at Kankakee Sands

Sledding
The Indiana Dunes State Park is home to Devil’s Slide, a fantastically fun spot to enjoy the snow with your family. Bring a thermos of hot cocoa and enjoy an afternoon hiking or snowshoeing along the trails at the State Park and National Lakeshore.

Families can also enjoy sledding at the Lake County Fairgrounds and Sunset Hill Farm from dawn to dusk after a good snowfall.

Sledding in Northwest Indiana

Lemon Lake Disc Golf and Cross Country Skiing
A great way to exercise this winter is cross country skiing at Lemon Lake. Several miles of trails through wooded areas and open fields provide an afternoon of activity for beginners as well as experienced skiers. Ski rentals are available (weather permitting) Friday-Sunday and school holidays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. until March.

Wintertime may keep the golfers away, but not disc golfers. Lemon Lake has 72-hole championship disc golf courses, making it the largest in the nation. The courses also accommodate experienced players and beginners. Learn more about the sport and find maps of the courses and schedules of upcoming championships at www.lemonlakediscgolf.org.

Ice Skating
Deep River Waterpark transforms from “splashtastic” in the summer to frozen and fun in the winter. Families can skate the plaza through February 25. Open skating is available Thursdays through Sundays and rentals are available onsite. Concessions and lockers are available as well. Bring in two cans of non-perishable food items and receive half price admission on Sundays and Thursdays veterans and active duty military receive free admission.

 

If you’re a waterpark, what do you do in the winter? @deepriverwaterpark freezes over and opens for ice skating! What a cool winter activity in northwest Indiana! #H2GIndiana #visitindiana #indiana #waterpark #winter #iceskating #family #fun #skating #wow

A post shared by Visit Indiana (@visitindiana) on Dec 7, 2017 at 9:32am PST

Head to downtown Valparaiso for skating at the Central Park Plaza Ice Rink until March (weather permitting). The 12,000 square foot open-air pavilion provides a picturesque setting for ice skating in the heart of Valparaiso. The arched roof provides protection from the elements and open skating is available daily (hours vary).  Skate and helmet rental are available at the Activity Center.

The ice rink in downtown Valparaiso opens in November for a four-month season.

Grab your gloves and get outdoors along the South Shore! Visit www.alongthesouthshore.com to plan your visit.

Map

Related Posts

No related posts.

Related Topics

  • DNR
  • Family Activities
  • Hiking, Biking & Trails
  • Indiana
  • Indiana Dunes
  • Indiana State Parks
  • Lake County
  • Michigan City
  • North
  • Outdoor Adventures
  • Places To Go
  • State Parks
  • Things To Do
  • Valparaiso
  • Winter Activities

Featured Post

Rebuilt & Reinvented: This Small-Town Favorite is an All New Restaurant

Featured Trip Idea

Couples: Top 8 Indiana Getaways

SIGN UP FOR UPDATES

Follow Along the Indiana Insider Blog

Get the latest blog posts to your inbox

SAVINGS

DISCOUNTS

Coupons and Special Deals

THINGS TO DO

THINGS TO DO

Plan Your Getaway

Explore VisitIndiana.com
  • Things to Do
  • Lodging
  • Food & Drink
  • Events
  • Trip Ideas
  • Discounts
  • Discounts
  • Best of Indiana
  • Brochures
  • Enter Contests
  • Local Contact Information
  • About Indiana
Other Links
  • About IDDC
  • Contact Us
  • For Media
  • For Travel Professionals
  • For Teachers
  • VisitIndianaGolf.com
  • Film Indiana
Blog Disclosure

This blog reflects the opinions of those writing and commenting and not necessarily the view opinions or endorsements of the Lieutenant Governor of the State of Indiana.

 

FTC Disclosure

Follow Us

Indiana Destination Development Corporation

 

One North Capitol Suite 600, Indianapolis, IN 46204
(800) 677-9800

 

© Copyright 2014-2020

 

Privacy Policy