Michigan Base for visiting Indiana Dunes NP

Question

My daughter and I are doing a road trip from NJ with stops in OH, IN, and MI. We would like to spend a day at Indiana Dunes National Park and another day visiting Warren Dunes State Park and some Michigan lighthouses. Would Saint Joseph be a good base for doing this? It appears to be less than an hour from IDNP. We will be staying in Columbus, OH before this and our next stop after Michigan will be Cleveland, OH. We are trying to keep our drives between stopovers to less than five hours and St. Joseph seems to fit the bill. I am open to other options as long as they don’t add more time to our journey to Cleveland. I would welcome hotel information as well. The upper limit of my budget is about $350 a night. I was liking the Boulevard Inn & Bistro in St. Joseph, but it was coming in about $100 over that. Thank you.

Answer

Saint Joseph is a great base for exploring both Indiana Dunes National Park and Warren Dunes State Park. As you mentioned, it's just about an hour from Indiana Dunes National Park, making it a very manageable drive for your visit. Additionally, it's less than an hour from Warren Dunes State Park, which is another key stop on your trip. Saint Joseph is a charming town with access to beautiful Lake Michigan beaches, making it a pleasant place to stay in between your outdoor adventures.

Saint Joseph's location works well with your plan to keep driving time under five hours between stops. The town is just a short drive from major attractions like the Indiana Dunes and the Michigan lighthouses, which will allow you to spend more time exploring and less time in the car. The town also offers a variety of restaurants, shops, and scenic spots along the waterfront, making it an ideal spot to relax at the end of your days.

Regarding hotels, the Boulevard Inn & Bistro is a solid option with a great location, but as you pointed out, it may exceed your budget by a bit. If you're looking for alternatives that are within your $350 limit, here are a few other options in the Saint Joseph area that might work for you:

The Inn at Harbor Shores – This boutique hotel offers a great location near the water with modern amenities and a more relaxed vibe. Rates generally hover around your budget limit, especially if you book in advance. It also has an on-site restaurant and a golf course, which could make for a nice evening after a day of hiking and exploring.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites St. Joseph – A more budget-friendly option with comfortable rooms and an indoor pool. It's located a bit farther from the water, but it's still within a short drive to downtown Saint Joseph and the surrounding areas. Rates should fit within your $350 budget.
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Benton Harbor St. Joseph – Located just outside Saint Joseph in Benton Harbor, this hotel offers a great combination of comfort, value, and convenience. It has free breakfast and is only about a 10-minute drive from the center of Saint Joseph and the beaches. This should fall within your budget range as well.

For your specific needs, Saint Joseph provides a great balance of accessibility to both Indiana Dunes National Park and Warren Dunes State Park, and the town itself is a charming, relaxing place to stay in between visits. The options listed above should give you a variety of choices that stay within your budget, with easy access to all the attractions you want to visit.

As for your drive to Cleveland after Michigan, Saint Joseph is a solid choice that doesn't add unnecessary time to your journey, as it's just around 3 hours to Cleveland, which fits well into your five-hour driving window. Safe travels and enjoy your road trip!

Michigan Base for visiting Indiana Dunes NP

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