This was one of the first places Richard Lieber considered when establishing the Indiana State Park system.

Indiana Dunes State Park was established in 1925 and designated a National Natural Landmark in 1974.

The Nature Preserve covers the eastern 2/3 of the state park, 1,530 acres (620 ha).

All eight of the park's trails enter the nature preserve, offering easy to rugged experiences amongst the dunes.

This root system creates stable areas of sand from which the dune can grow.

Slowly other plants take root in the protected areas, including bearberry (kinnikinnick) and small evergreens.