Northwest Indiana Parks to Explore

Northwest Indiana is an ever-expanding metropolitan area, and almost anything desired is within arms reach. Although Northwest Indiana is a populated area that is constantly changing and growing, there are quiet places where people can go to enjoy nature and get away from the rat-race of everyday life. There are many parks in Northwest Indiana to enjoy and explore. These parks offer many worthwhile free and low-cost activities for people of all ages and interests.

Lemon Lake County Park

This 450-acre park is located at 6322 West 133rd avenue, just east of Cedar Lake Indiana. It is open between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on Memorial Day, and from 7:00 a.m. to nightfall the remainder of the year. There is a nominal fee for parking when a park attendant is on duty.

A paved one-mile fitness trail surrounds Lemon Lake. Park visitors can enjoy a leisurely walk, an invigorating jog, or they can participate in exercise activities offered along the trail. There is also approximately five miles of wooded trails and an amazing botanical garden to explore. Cross-country skiing and sledding are popular activities at the park during winter months.

Park visitors can fish without a license at Lemon Lake County Park, and since the park does not stock the lake, there is no fee for fishing. There is a large pier for fishing, and beginning in 2006 paddle boats will be available for rent. Species of fish found in Lemon Lake are Bullhead, Carp, Northern Pike, and Largemouth Bass.

Kids of all ages will love the expansive well-equipped playground, basketball courts, lighted tennis court, softball diamonds, soccer field, sand-covered volleyball courts, and a prototypical 27 hole championship disc golf course. Various sporting equipment is available for rent.

During summer months, the park offers a well-stocked concession stand. For those who want to enjoy a picnic at the park, there are grills, picnic tables, and picnic shelters are available for rent. To reserve a shelter and inquire on current prices call 877-318-0130 weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Consider letting your dog join in on the fun at Lemon Lake County Park. Dogs are allowed in the park in the fenced-in area known as Dogwood Run. Leashes are not required in that specific area of the park. There is a fee, and registration is required. Call 219-769-PARK to get additional information on this unique opportunity for dogs and their owners.

Stoney Run County Park

Located at the corner of 142nd and Union Street in Leroy Indiana, Stoney Run County Park is open to the public from 7:00 a.m. to nightfall, 365 days a year. The 316-acre park is a breath of fresh air after leaving the busy metropolitan areas of Northwest Indiana. Entrance to the park is free, but there is a fee for parking when the attendant is on duty.

Visitors to Stoney Run County Park can relish the beauty of nature on approximately eight miles of scenic hiking, jogging, and cross-country skiing trails. The fitness trail presents park visitors with specific challenges as they walk or jog around the path. Those with horses are permitted to ride around the perimeter of the park. While enjoying nature, visitors may also pay tribute to Vietnam veterans at the beautiful park memorial.

After working up an appetite, park guests can use the barbeque facilities and picnic beneath one of the shelters or under shade trees at one of the many available picnic tables. Park visitors should bring plenty of drinks in order to stay sufficiently hydrated. There is much more to do at Stoney Run County Park!.

Groups may camp at Stoney Run County Park. Camping there is primitive, and reservations are required. To reserve the camping area call 219-769-PARK and speak to a park representative.

Those who enjoy fishing should bring their fishing equipment to Stoney Run County Park. Fishing there is free, and according to the booklet entitled “Lake County Parks Pathfinder,” an Indiana state license is not required. Largemouth Bass are the predominant species found in the lake at Stoney Run.

Kids and adults alike will love the creative playground and expansive playing fields at Stoney Run County Park. Sporting equipment is available to rent, and there is a volleyball court.

Grand Kankakee Marsh Park

This is one of Northwest Indiana’s largest parks. The Grand Kankakee Marsh Park, located at 21690 Range Line Road near Hebron Indiana, encompasses approximately 2069 acres of property. It’s a great place for wildlife enthusiasts to take photos of birds, animals, insects, and scenery. Photo blinds are available for taking pictures and observing wildlife in action. The park is open January to September from 7:00 a.m. until nightfall.

Hunters of deer and waterfowl can take part in hunting at Grand Kankakee Marsh Park. Contact the Indiana Department of Natural Resources at 219-879-5710 for the current hunting season schedule or for further information regarding hunting at Grand Kankakee Marsh Park.

Hikers, cross-country skiers, and horseback riders can explore more than 30 miles of scenic trails along the Grand Kankakee Marsh. The trails are located on levees that join and separate the marsh. They are level and generally easy to navigate.

Fish of many species are abundant in the dikes, channels, and the pond located in the Grand Kankakee Marsh Park. The park also provides access to the Kankakee River. Species of fish found in the river and surrounding waters are Bluegill, Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Catfish, Walleye, and Northern Pike. There is no fee for fishing on park property, but an Indiana state fishing license is required.

The park offers picnic tables, shelters, and restroom facilities. To reserve a shelter, phone the Lake County Parks and Recreation Department at 219-755-3685 or 219-945-0543.

Did you ever wonder what life was like back in the mid to late 1800’s? Visit Buckley Homestead County Park at 3606 Belshaw Road in Lowell Indiana, and you can experience life as it was for early settlers and Native American Indians. Guests feel as if they’ve stepped back in time when they enter this unique historic park.

Visitors to the park will discover a working farm characteristic of the early 1900’s, a farm from the mid 1800’s, and a one-room school house. There are also gardens and farm animals on the grounds. Buildings are open seasonally, and there is a museum in the main house. Guided tours are available by reservation.

Buckley Homestead County Park also has an authentic Native American Indian village where visitors can see what everyday life was like for the Potawatomi Indians. The Potawatomi tribes of Indians were the very first residents of Lake County Indiana. They originated in the wooded regions of Wisconsin, and they eventually filtered into Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. In the 1830’s the Potawatomi Indians were forced to move from their native homeland and into the states of Oklahoma and Kansas.

Buckley Homestead County Park

At Buckley Homestead visitors will see Native American wigwams, clothing, and witness life as it was for the Potawatomi tribe in the 1750’s. Approximately 80 acres have been designated for the Callumic Band of Great Lakes Woodland Alliance. Demonstrators dress in period clothing and reenact camp life. They tell interesting stories, make clothes and accouterments, and exhibit other aspects of Potawatomi life.

Special events and programs are popular at Buckley Homestead County Park. Previous park events, programs, and activities have included heirloom vegetable tasting, a Fall Fest, Christmas on the farm, horses drawn hay rides, tractor driven hay rides, and a 9-acre corn maze.

The annual Fall Fest at Buckley Homestead County Park is educational as well as entertaining. Past festivals have included a frying pan toss, a rolling pin toss, and a stuffed sheep toss. These contests are amusing for people of all ages.

Visitors to the Fall Fest at Buckley Homestead should bring their appetite with them. They can try thick and hearty ham and bean soup, mouth-watering chicken and noodles, delicious baked potatoes, buttered corn, Indian fry bread, and hearty steak sandwiches. For dessert, visitors can try tasty old-fashioned apple dumplings. These are just a few of the many foods to try at the Fall Fest.

For those who enjoy cross country skiing, jogging, hiking, or horseback riding, there is a one mile bark chip and gravel trail to navigate. There is also another trail in the Woodland Indian Camp and wagon trails to explore.

On one of my visits to Buckley Homestead County Park, I witnessed something most are never fortunate enough to see. When hiking a wagon trail in late afternoon, I rounded a bend and came upon two gray fox cubs prancing and playing in rays of sunshine filtering through the trees. I stopped in my tracks and watched as they romped and frolicked like puppies in the tall grass that lined the center of the path. The moment was magical and appeared like a scene from a fairytale.
It wasn’t long before the fox cubs noticed me and curiously but cautiously stepped a little closer to get a better look at the mysterious stranger standing before them. I stood there amazed and somewhat alarmed that they didn’t immediately run away. Without warning, the fox cubs suddenly darted off into the woods and disappeared from sight. Although my experience was exceptional, discovering wildlife at Buckley Homestead County Park is a possibility for anyone visiting the park. It is truly a magical place where nature abounds.

Be sure to stop by the gift shop when visiting Buckley Homestead. The gift shop offers unique items, and there is something affordable for every age and interest. The gift shop offers beautiful crocheted blankets, collectors’ items, sweet treats, and much more.

Park visitors staying for the day can use the barbeque grills and eat beneath a shade tree at one of the many picnic tables. There are also picnic shelters which may be reserved in advance.

To make reservations for a group tour, reserve a shelter, or find out about upcoming programs call 219-945-0543. The park is open each day from 7:00 a.m. until nightfall. Even if there aren’t any special activities or programs going on, come on out to Buckley Homestead County Park for the day. A day at this Indiana county park will surely be a day to remember.

Visitors want to return again and again to experience nature and participate in the many activities available at Northwest Indiana parks. Consider bringing family and friends to see what the many parks in Northwest Indiana have to offer.