I had planned to visit Mammoth Cave National Park next weekend but as of now it looks like thunderstorms basically the entire time. Was thinking of changing the trip completely and heading to the Indiana Sand Dunes as its the same distance driving. The weather looks a bit better as of now with rain for only half the trip. I also know that weather can completely change between then and now! Any opinions? I have until tomorrow to cancel my stay for a full refund!
I thought from the title Great Sand Dunes was the other option and was about to argue, but definitely have to agree with you after checking the description
Mammoth Caves really is a special place. So many great cave tours and hikes! Indiana Dunes is nice but West Michigan has far more impressive sand dunes and beaches despite their lack of National Park designation.
Cave doesn't care what the weather is and the above ground part just looks like Kentucky. Go to the cave. Indiana dunes sucks. I'd take rainy Kentucky over Chicago industrial east beach any day..
I’m thinking I do the dunes and cuyahoga together since I heard they kind of suck- make it a quick trip
I went to dunes last weekend and caves two months ago. I’d recommend both. I enjoyed the biodiversity of the dunes. The caves are neat for the history and the tours are great.
My goal is to hit every national park so I will get to all of them at some point!
If your goal is to hit all of them I would hit the dunes on the way to another place (Chicago, Michigan, Wisconsin, etc) because it doesn’t need much more than a few hours in my opinion. It is nice but I feel no need for extended exploring or going back unless I had a friend who wanted to go.
Yes great idea
Definitely visit the beach and the prairie area too. Dunes are incredibly biodiverse. The tree area is nice but coming out to a beach really is cool
Just remove the dunes and Cuyahoga off the list. Not worth going visiting honestly. Better state parks in both areas.
I can’t hit every national park if I skip some 😜
The dunes definitely don't suck. They are great. I would stick with Mammoth Caves though, do a cave tour or 3 to really experience this awesome park!
Weather won't matter, you are underground.
Mammoth Cave 100 percent. Cave tours are underground and weather won’t matter. If it clears up, I believe there are some trails and even kayaking in the park. Indiana Dunes is very meh.
My wife and I went to Mammoth last May and absolutely loved it and were both unprepared for just how awesome it was going to be. We did the Extended Historic tour and then some hiking on the surface and left wishing we had spent more time there.
I would say Mammoth Caves.
But in defense of Indiana Dunes NP, if you decide to go, research it a bit. When I was there, I got mixed-up and ended-up in the Indiana Dunes STATE Park, which I ended-up paying $20 to get into out of confusion. Not a fan of bad-mouthing any NP. I'm sure it's worthy of a visit, but read up on it a bit.
Good to know thanks!
Do you have cave reservations? I don’t think those are refundable which is why I’m asking. If you do, then go to mammoth cave. If you don’t have reservations you’re not going to get them Memorial Day weekend so then I would say go to the Dunes
I do!
Just stay. I think it would be too cold to go swimming in Lake Michigan anyways. Rain will be a good story haha. Plus the caves will be dry
This looks like the general consensus! thanks!
As per almost everyone else, 100% Mammoth Cave. We were just did a cross country trip, saw 13 national parks and Indiana Dunes was our least favourite. There are much better dunes on the Great Lakes. Don’t understand why it’s a NP to be honest.
Mammoth Cave is not something you see everyday!!
Michigan Dunes
I’ve been to both, and it depends on what you want out of the trip.
The dunes can be gorgeous, and the outside hiking is great. Do not wear flip flops! Once you are in the dunes area it doesn’t feel like you are in a city. On a fairly clear day you can see Chicago which was neat. I also am a fan of architecture and the world’s fair houses are fun. Plus there are a few pretty good breweries and restaurants near there.
Mammoth cave is great for underground tours- they sell out of tours so you will need to make sure you get your reservation ahead of time. The above ground part doesn’t have as much hiking or wandering potential, I feel it’s kind of limited. The caves are really cool (literally and figuratively) but I also think that getting a good guide and good tour group helps a lot!
Warren Sand Dunes are better.
I've been to Indiana Dunes twice, because it's a convenient place to camp on a cross-country drive. TBH, it's not all that great. If you've ever seen a beach & a dune, you already have the idea. The signage for one area was so poor, I never did find it (in the pre-GPS days).
That said, I'm more of an active traveler. I don't like just sitting on a beach. If you do, it might be up your alley.
Mammoth Cave is pretty awesome, and rain won't matter when you're underground.
You should add Tomaree National Park to your list 😉
The dunes are nice but not a typical NP as it has oil and nuclear industries to the S and N and takes away from the NP feeling. Still a nice place to visit. The beaches are pretty cool.
Different experiences for sure. I went to Mammoth a few years ago and it was a neat tour. The caves are wonderful. I went to Indiana Dunes last Friday and the Lupines are in full bloom-we didn’t even realize it was a thing-so many people were there to photograph the lupines! We took the longer trail through them and ended at the water, which was beautiful and a much appreciated respite after the hike. Different parks, both great experiences imho
The national cave is in Mammoth Cave. Definitely worth checking all that out.
Mammoth Cave…so what if it’s stormy….you’re underground.
Been to several caves and Mammoth was, by far, the biggest disappointment. Limestone covered in graffiti.
I expect a few east coast parks to be somewhat underwhelming so I’ve been trying to get them out of the way since they are driveable. I f*cked up by starting my national park bucket list adventures strong in Utah LOL
Mammoth Caves no question.