The Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education is your gateway to the stunning Paul H. Douglas Trail through Miller Woods. This trail has options for both short or longer explorations through the oak savanna and wetlands habitats. Start your visit by exploring the Douglas Center. This facility connects you to the surrounding natural environment through educational hands-on exhibits, ranger-guided hikes, lectures, live animals, nature-based arts and crafts, and a Nature Play Zone. With year-round programming, the Douglas Center offers a variety of educational opportunities and family-friendly outdoor activities like cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, kayaking, hiking.
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Educational ProgramsThe Douglas Center is the park’s hub for environmental education. We offer a variety of field trips, teacher workshops and travelling trunks from this building. For more information on the educational programs offered for school field trips please check out our educational page.Recreational ProgramsNature Play ZoneGet out and play! The Nature Play Zone is a unique area at Indiana Dunes. Unlike other places in the park, here you are encouraged to dig, climb, and create. Build a driftwood fort, scale an oak tree, or bake sand cakes in the sun! Designed for immersion in the natural surroundings, this is your space to imagine, explore, and get your hands dirty! Ranger-Guided ProgramsJoin us for fun activities year-round such as hiking, paddling, birding, and biking on ranger-led programs. Check out our calendar of events for a list of our programs.Winter AdventuresThe Indiana Dunes is a breathtaking place to visit any time of year. In the winter, learn how to cross-country ski and/or snowshoe through the dunes. Equipment is provided free at the Douglas Center on a first-come first-served basis. Check out our Winter Activities page for more information.Lectures and ExhibitsThe Paul H. Douglas Center for Environment Education connects scientific studies performed within the Park to the public through various types of exhibited displays, lectures, and workshops.See, touch, and learn about some the various animals such as snakes, frogs, turtles and fish that live within the park in our Animal Room. If you arrive at the right time, you might get to help a ranger feed the animals. Make fun nature-based crafts to take home in our craft room.
Interested in becoming a Junior Ranger? Want to see the video about the Indiana Dunes National Park? Perhaps get your passport stamped? Pick up your BARK Ranger tag? The staff and volunteers at the Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education are here to help.
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Last updated: March 14, 2024