Beaches

The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore (1600 N. 25 E., Chesterton) is your best bet for getting sand between your toes. Not only are the views beautiful with sandy dunes rising nearly 200 feet in the distance, but the pristine beaches bank one of the largest inland water bodies on the planet, Lake Michigan. Approximately 50 miles southeast of Chicago in Northwest Indiana, the national lakeshore runs for nearly 25 miles. Choose between Kemil Beach, West Beach, Lake View Beach, Central Beach and Mount Baldy, which all offer lots of spots to drop a towel and get your buns some sun. When you’re nice and crisp, cool yourself in a bathhouse (showers are at West Beach). Then use the rest of the afternoon for carefree meandering, or take in the dunes themselves to see how mountains, indeed, can be made from molehills.

Swimming in the lake is permitted, though cautioned because of the uneven lake bottom, which can create rip currents when winds and waves rise. Summer lifeguards are on duty at West Beach only. For the most up-to-date beach/water/swimming conditions, call 219-926-7561, ext. 668.

Camping

Pitch a tent or sleep under the stars, play under the moon, listen to crickets, get out the bug spray. It’s time to go camping. Indiana plays proud host to hundreds of campgrounds. See our parks section for lots of spots to set up camp, or hit one of these.

Indianapolis is a car kind of city. So come race day, the best place for overnight play is 1. Raceview Family Campground in Clermont (317-852-5737). Pitch a tent, park your RV or throw down a sleeping bag and snooze.

Once you’re done with the cars, head for the trains at the Whitewater Valley Railroad. This railroad museum rolls through scenic Indiana with a stop at the 2. Whitewater River Campground (765-825-4885) in Connersville. With amenities galore, the campground also offers live bluegrass and country music on the weekends.

Why not venture north? In the midst of area museums, antique malls and golf resorts sits the 3. South Bend East KOA (574-277-1335) in Granger, Ind. Visit the College Football Hall of Fame or the nearby University of Notre Dame, and then settle in at the KOA with bike rentals, a nature trail, a swimming pool and more.

We think you’re going to like Wolf Park (mentioned in our parks section), and we think you’ll love staying at 4. Wolfe’s Leisure Time Campground in the nearby Lafayette-West Lafayette area (765-589-8089). Listen to the wolves howl, then rest up and head to West Lafayette for breakfast.

Thinking about heading to the legendary Shipshewana Flea Market (mentioned in our flea market section)? If so, you’re going to want to stay a while. Located in Indiana’s Amish Country, several campgrounds, including 5. Shipshewana RV Parks (North Park Location, 260-768-7770; South Park Location, 260-768-4669) put you close to the shopping.

Hoosiers like the Hoosier Natural Forest … for good reason. The rolling hills, the majestic Ohio River. What’s not to like? The 6. German Ridge Recreation Area (812-547-7051) offers a place to rest your wearies when you’re all tuckered out from a day of hiking, swimming, fishing and canoeing.

Want a real roof over your head? 7. The Patoka Lake Recreation Area (812-936-2405) has you covered. Houseboats, cottages, motels, cabins and bed and breakfasts are available here. Or head for the 448 campsites at the Patoka Lake Recreation Area campgrounds, where you can cool down your camper for the night.

Gay and lesbian campers have outdoor options, like 8. Camp Buckwood (812-597-2450) in Morgantown, Ind. RV sites, tent sites, a swimming pool and spa, along with hiking trails and volleyball courts are only the beginning of the amenities here.

Indiana Beach is the best (see our theme parks section), but who feels like a long drive after such a long day of fun? Instead just hunker down at one of two nearby campsites: 9. Indiana Beach Camp Resort (800-583-5306) and 10. Jellystone Park Camp Resort at Indiana Beach (888-811-9644). You’ll have nearly 1,000 campsites to choose from at Indiana Beach Camp Resort, and more than 100 more at Jellystone. An added bonus: free transportation to and from the park for both locations.

For more options to say goodnight under the pitch-black sky, click on www.enjoyindiana.com.

Canoeing & kayaking

Nothing beats gently floating downstream, listening to the chatter of birds, bugs and fauna, while trees rustle, wind brushes back your hair and the sun kisses your nose.

Right? Yeah. We thought so. You need to get out of the office and head for the water. If you don’t already have a canoe or kayak waiting patiently in the garage, here’s what we suggest. Check out the rivers section in this guide, pick a river, then call up one of the outfitters that services your river of choice. Then let them do the rest.

And remember just a few thingbefore you go … Canoeing rivers tend to be fairly small streams, so water levels can change rapidly. You might want to call the day before your trip to check. Streams generally run higher and faster from spring to early summer and after substantial rainfall. Want some rapids? Head for the water from May to June. Not sure about your canoeing skills? Kayaks are usually more stable than canoes because you sit lower in the water. Get a kayak, practice up, then go for the canoe.

Generally, canoeing and kayaking trips cost anywhere from $20 to $40 for two people, depending on the length of your trip. If you want to stay multiple days with your canoe, expect an approximately $65 tab.

Now on to the good stuff …

If you’re looking to paddle down the Blue River, 1. Cave Country Canoes (also mentioned in our caving section; 812-365-2705) is a great place to call. They’ll set you up with tours that wind you through the many natural caves and scenic countryside along the big bad Blue.

If the Driftwood River in central Southern Indiana is more your style, look up 2. Blue’s Canoe Livery (812-526-9851). They provide rafts, canoes and kayaks for trips through a secluded state wildlife preserve and portions of Camp Atterbury wilderness area.

Heading to the Eel River? 3. Millers Cool Running Canoe Rental (765-985-9800) can set you up with a trip. How about the Elkhart? 4. Smokey’s Wawasee Landing (574-457-5232) will provide the goods. For the Ohio River, may we suggest 5. Kate’s Canoe Rental Adventures (812-273-5915) to do the trick, and for the Pigeon River: 6. Trading Post Canoe Rental & Campground (260-367-2493).

If you’re heading to the St. Joseph River, you’ll want to check out 7. Root’s Outfitters (260-484-2604) or 8. Earth Adventures Unlimited (260-424-1420). If Sugar Creek is up your alley, then 9. Turkey Run Canoe Trips (765-569-6705), 10. Sugar Valley Canoe Trips (765-597-2364) or 11. Clements Canoes Outdoor Center (765-435-7285) can put you in the water.

The Tippecanoe River is considered one of the nicest rivers in North America. Which means you better get there to enjoy it. Clear waters and amazing scenery accent the trip. 12. Hodges Canoe Trips (765-564-6806) or 13. Riverside Rentals (574-946-3142) can hook you up.

The Wabash River is rich with history, and it’s an adventure to explore. Call up 14. SBS (Special Boat Service; 765-789-8457) if you want to float down the Wabash — Indiana’s official state river. For the White River, check out 15. White River Canoe Company (317-776-0129) or 16. Romona Canoe Rental (812-829-0120).

And if none of these companies floats your boat? Head up to Broad Ripple to one of our favorites: 17. Rusted Moon (317-253-4453).

Spelunking & cave tours

Summer fun cave facts: A cave is a natural underground cavity. A cavern is a connected system of caves and passages. We just want you to know the right word for what you’re getting yourself into if you choose to go below the earth’s belt (so to speak) this summer.

And now for a not-so-fun cave fact: Spelunking can be dangerous. You need the right equipment (helmets and flashlights, please), a good amount of know-how, a lack of claustrophobia and a handle on the weather (like whether it’s going to rain or if it just did). If you’ve got the itch to explore one of the hundreds of underground mazes around Indiana, it’s best to hook up with one of the local caving clubs.

The Indiana University Spelunking Club offers tours and rental equipment for your earth exploration. For an annual fee of $10, you can go on as many trips as you’d like with veteran cavers. For more information on joining, head to www.indiana.edu/~iusc/.

Indiana University Outdoor Adventures also offers tours through local caves. At www.imu.indiana.edu/iuoa/index.html, you can find out more. A third option is the Central Indiana Grotto, which is a diverse group of people who came together because of their desire to crawl around together in underground tunnels. Grotto cave trips are usually scheduled on Sundays, so if you have the right equipment, you can tag along. Check out www.caves.org/grotto/cig/ for details.

Cave Country Canoes offers canoeing and kayaking trips through some of Indiana’s cave country. Choose from half-day to multi-day trips, depending on your experience and interest. Trip prices range from $18 to $45 per person, depending on what you choose. Paddle over to www.cavecountrycanoes.com for details.

For the less adventurous, guided cave tours are available. Bluespring Caverns in Bedford, Ind. (812-279-9471; www.bluespringcaverns.com) offers guided boat tours on the subterranean Myst’ry River. You’ll see native blind fish and crayfish, as well as rolling hills and great chambers. Voyages last one hour and cost $6 for kids and $12 for adults.

A U.S. national landmark, Marengo Cave (812-365-2705; www.marengocave.com) offers cave tours and exploration, as well as other activities, like gemstone mining or crawling through a cave simulator. Massive flowstone deposits, delicate soda straw formations and a Crystal Palace are among the highlights of the natural cave. Prices range from $6.25 for kids to $19.50 for adults, depending on the type of activities you choose.

Squire Boone Caverns (812-732-4381; www.squireboonecaverns.com) near Corydon, Ind., introduces visitors to cave formations and underground waterfalls discovered more than two centuries ago. Stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone and more adorn the cavern walls, ceilings and floors. Prices range from $6.50 for kids to $11 for adults.

Another national landmark, Wyandotte Caves (812-738-2782; www.wyandottecaves.com) is nestled in the hills of Harrison-Crawford State Forest. Here you will find immense passageways and huge underground rooms, as well as delicate formations and crystals. Tours range from approximately $6 for kids to $25 for adults, depending on what you choose.