Mt Baldy — Local services in Michigan City

Mt. Baldy beach is a treasure! The parking is free, and the beach is not as crowded as other Indiana beaches. HOWEVER! There are two major drawbacks to this beach. The first is that you have a bit of a hike from the parking lot, although it is through a nice forested area. It is a bit of a treck. The next thing is the big one...When you get to the end of the forested path, you are presented with an amazing view that is like, 7 stories ABOVE the beach! I've drawn a graphic to help show you what I mean. You are so high above the beach and the way down is like a 45 degree angle in hot sand. Last year (2019) there was a zigzag path to help get you down to the beach without falling down that decline. It was good for we parents who end up carrying way too much stuff to the beach while the kids plummeted down the face of the dune. This year (2020) there is only the 45 degree decline access. So pack lightly, because it is a like a ski hill zooming down the access and a heart attack...

Went for a sunset walk on a Wednesday evening in mid-October. Got to the trailhead at 5:20pm and I would say I was 10-minutes too early. The out-and-back walk is 0.8 miles each way until you hit a point where the water is flowing too heavy to cross. Able to see Chicago skyline across the lake - pretty cool! Got great views of the sunset. There was only one other person, so pretty much had the whole beach to myself. Some kids showed up later to climb the dune despite clear signs to stay away. There are clean restrooms at the parking lot. Use directions to Mt Baldy parking lot, not to Mt Baldy - latter takes you into a gated...

Mt. Baldy is a fascinating spot. When rangers are present they can take you to the top of Mt, Baldy safely. In 2013 there was a famous incident where a child fell into a hole 10 feet deep left by a rotting oak tree. The sand covered him and it took 3 hours to excavate him but after much medical treatment he is fine and that is why you can never ascend to the top without a ranger.

But one can hike 1/2 mile to the beach and have a great view of Lake Michigan and often the skyline of Chicago or the Michigan City lighthouse. A hike of roughly another 1/2 mile down the beach will give you great views...