4 National Parks in Indiana for Homeschool Fun

The national parks in Indiana include historic sites and historical monuments that will make American history come alive. Learn about the Revolutionary War, the Lewis and Clark expedition, Abraham Lincoln’s youth, and explore diverse ecosystems that nature enthusiasts will love.

How Many National Parks are in Indiana?

There are 3 national parks in Indiana and one historical trail that is also park of the national system.

• George Rogers Clark National Historical Park
• Indiana Dunes National Park
• Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial
• Lewis and Clark National Historical Trail

Each of the Indiana national parks offer many recreational outdoor activities with miles of trails and archaeological sites to explore. They are full of natural beauty and historical significance. Let’s take a look at what we love about these parks, and the things that you can do to add some extra fun to your homeschool learning.

George Rogers Clark National Historical Park

George Rogers Clark National Historical Park is located in Western Indiana in Vincennes, Indiana. This national historic park commemorates George Rogers Clark. This Revolutionary War hero led a key victory at Fort Sackville during the Revolutionary War in 1779.

Things to Do:

• Visitor Center – Watch films and view exhibits about the American Revolution in the Northwest Territory.
• Explore the George Rogers Clark Memorial – Visit the large rotunda memorial building with 7 murals depicting Clark’s campaigns and a large statue of George Rogers Clark. Make sure to check in with the rangers at the visitor center first.
• Guided Tours -Take ranger-led tours to learn about the fort and the area’s history.
• Junior Ranger Program – Children can complete activities to earn a Junior Ranger badge. You can do this at home using the website and email your completed book back to get a badge in the mail.
• Riverside Views – Enjoy scenic views along the Wabash River and picnicking areas.
• Special Events – Attend a historic weapon demonstration presented by a ranger or park volunteer in 18th century period dress. This is only available for school groups, so if you are a part of a homeschool group you could set this up for your group.

Educational Learning Activity Days

The park offer some educational programs and fun learning days throughout the year. There is kite day, Junior Ranger days throughout the summer months, Three Forts Day, Art in the Park and Astronomy nights. Check the calendar of events for accurate dates for the year.

Indiana Dunes National Park

Indiana Dunes National Park is located in Northwest Indiana, along the southern shore of Lake Michigan. This park is known for the most diverse landscapes of a national park in the United States. It has 15,000 acres that consist of sandy beaches, forests, prairies, wetlands, and large sand dunes on 15 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline.

Things to Do:

• Indiana Dunes Visitor Center – Learn about the park’s ecology and history at the visitor center.
• Hiking – Explore over 50 miles of trails, including scenic sand dunes, lush wetlands, and woodland paths.
• Swimming – There are designated beaches along Lake Michigan for swimming and beachcombing in the summer months.
• Biking – Take a ride along the Calumet Bike Trail.
• Camping – Camp at Dunewood Campground or you can do backcountry primitive camping.
• Bird Watching – There are over 350 species of birds at Indiana Dunes, it is the best place to see lots of bird diversity.
• Junior Ranger Programs – Kids can earn their Junior Ranger badge in person or you can print the Indiana Dunes National Park Activity Guide to complete at home.
• Winter Activities – During the winter you can go sledding, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Indiana Dunes National Park Educational Resources for Homeschool

Indiana Dunes National Park has some amazing educational resources that you can use in your homeschool.

Virtual learning and activities

• Park Explorers – Explore the sand dunes and different wildlife throughout the park.
• Climate Change Curriculum – Lesson plans and resources for middle school on how the park handles climate change.
• Sweet Signs of Spring: An Adventure in Math – Learn about the science behind maple syrup and how to calculate volume in gallons with this fun activity for grades 4-6.
• Invasive Carp Design Challenge – This activity will help your children to design their own barrier to block invasive carp species from entering Lake Michigan.
• Follow the Birdie – A great activity for beginning birdwatchers to hone their observation skills and learn about the birds in their own backyard.
• Story Maps – Indiana Dunes National Park StoryMaps offer compelling stories about the park in a visually stimulating and interactive manner.
• Octave Chanute – Patron Saint of Flight – Learn about the early history of flight in North America at the Indiana Dunes with this online, classroom version of the documentary.
• History of Science: Plant Succession – Watch a video and answer corresponding questions that highlight Indiana Dunes’ role in the history of ecology.

Curriculum Materials and Lesson Plans

There are 15 different educational programs available with park rangers at Indiana Dunes National Park. You can schedule these programs with your homeschool group! See a full list of programs and learning standards and information scheduled on the curriculum materials page.

Web Resources and Virtual Library – There are videos to explore the history of the area, the Native Americans, shipwrecks, botany and natural sciences. There are also books available for free on the virtual library.

Self Guided Tour with Curriculum Guide

You can take a self guided tour through the dunes for your family or group using their A Day at the Dunes curriculum guide for grades 2-8. You can also explore the nature center and nature play zone.

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail

In addition to the 3 national parks in Indiana above there is also a very historic trail that we recommend exploring if you get to the Hoosier State.

The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail is a HUGE trail that connects through 16 states: Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Washington, and West Virginia.

This historic trail commemorates the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1803-1806 and follows the routes of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, totaling over 4,900 miles.

Lewis and Clark Trail Sites to Visit

Throughout the trail in the state of Indiana are many visitors centers and historic sites and museums to explore along the way.

• Falls of the Ohio/Old Clarksville Site
• Ohio County Historical Museum
• George Rogers Clark Home Site
• Oak Hill Cemetery and Arboretum
• Angel Mounds State Historic Site

Lewis and Clark National Trail Homeschool Fun

Lewis and Clark Trail for Kids – This webpage has videos with park rangers, printable coloring pages to learn bird and animals in the indigenous languages and more.

Lewis and Clark Trail Jr. Ranger Program – Pick up a Junior Ranger activity booklet to learn about the places you are visiting on the trail and why that area was important to the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Honoring Tribal Legacies Curriculum – Free curriculum and digital handbook with resources to teach a more collective history of Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery and the nation’s journey west.

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial

The Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial is located in Southern Indiana near Lincoln City. This national memorial commemorates the life of young Abraham Lincoln. It includes Lincoln’s boyhood home, where he lived from age 7 to 21 and the Lincoln Living Historical Farm.

Things to Do:

• Lincoln Living Historical Farm – see a real working pioneer homestead that recreates Abraham Lincoln’s young life with period tools, crops and livestock.
• Visitor Center – View exhibits on Abraham Lincoln’s childhood and family life….. short film
• Trail of Twelve Stones – Walk a scenic path with markers commemorating significant events in Lincoln’s life.
• Cabin Site Memorial – This memorial marks where the Lincoln family cabin once stood.
• Junior Ranger Activities are available at the park and are designed for young visitors to learn about Lincoln’s legacy.

Free Curriculum for Learning About Abraham Lincoln

There are some great curriculum materials that you can use in your homeschool to teach your children about Young Abraham Lincoln and his home he grew up on.

• Lifestyle Comparison: Then and Now
• What Would You Do? Lessons on Responsibility
• Pioneer Survival
• Predator/Prey Adaptation
• Little Pigeon Creek Community
• Dear Diary: Abraham Lincoln’s Reflections