which point the trail enters the dunes through an area called Paradise Valley. From there, the trail parallels a branch of the Dunes Creek, passing through the Pinery and along the marsh. The Bird Observation Tower is accessible from this trail. About from the Observation Tower, the trail ends at the Nature Center. Designated a National Natural Landmark in 1974, the preserve also contains the Ancient Pines Nature Area, a prehistoric forest now exposed by dune blowouts. Blowouts Blowouts are formed by the on-shore winds of Lake Michigan. The winds move sand and pile it into dunes. As the dunes form, plants begin to take hold, stabilizing the sand. Beach grasses form a large underground system of roots. This root system, creates stable areas of sand, from which the dune can grow. Slowly other plants take root in the protected areas, including bearberry (kinnikinnick) and small evergreens. Over time, larger plants like sumac, sand cherry, cottonwood, and juniper take hold and replace the grasses and smaller plants. When a nick forms in this armor of roots and plants, the area can become a blowout. First, open sand becomes accessible to the wind. This can be by animal trails or by human footpaths. A tree could fall in a strong wind, exposing the underlying sand. When this happens, the wind once again works on the loose sand. It undercuts the other roots, and begins moving sand southward. If the winds are strong enough or given enough time, a large blowout can occur, reducing the dunes to lake level over a large area. The 3 largest blowouts in the park are Beach House, Furnessville, and Big Blowout. Each extends into the interdunes, between the front rides of dunes and pockets, into the interdunal troughs. Big Blowout has uncovered an area of dead tree trunks known as the Tree Graveyard. The park also has a Youth Tent Area separate from the public campground. See also List of Indiana state parks Save the Dunes References External links Indiana Dunes State Park DNR Site Dunes Nature Preserve Indiana DNR Site The Prairie Club Friends of the Indiana Dunes Duneland.com Dunes Learning Center Protected areas established in 1925 State parks of Indiana National Natural Landmarks in Indiana Protected areas of Porter County, Indiana Dunes of the United States Indiana Dunes National Park Northwest Indiana Nature centers in Indiana Landforms of Porter County, Indiana