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Camp Good Fellow Lodge:
Restoration through Advocacy

Last month, with the Indiana Dunes National Park, Friends of Indiana Dunes, and Dunes Learning Center, we celebrated the lodge’s restoration and return to active use—not simply as a preserved building, but as a place for education, gathering, and community connection.

Rehabilitation projects like this one are an important part of the park’s history while preparing it to serve future generations.

Brief timeline:

Built in 1941 by U.S. Steel as the centerpiece of Camp Good Fellow

1976: Camp Good Fellow wound down, and NPS acquired the 63-acre property. The lodge sat empty for decades, but the land around it never stopped being a place where kids learned outdoors

1998: first DLC building opens on this same campsite

The Goodfellow Lodge stood for decades as a place where young people first experienced the outdoors.

Today, thanks to this restoration, it will do that again — for the next generation and beyond.

More on the hisotry of Camp Goodfellow

Top Photo: Camp Good Fellow Lodge circa 1941

Bottom Photo: Camp Good Fellow after restoration 2026

Made possible through Great American Outdoor Act

The Great American Outdoors Act’s Legacy Restoration Fund enables the National Park Service to address large, long-deferred maintenance needs beyond normal annual funding.

Approximately $13 million investment in Goodfellow Lodge as part of the broader rehabilitation of three significant Indiana Dunes historic properties.

This building is a $25.4 million Legacy Restoration Fund success story. The Good Fellow Camp Lodge, the Bailly Homestead, the House of Tomorrow —
these are places that connect people to the history of this region, and the LRF is making sure they will be here for the next generation.

The Legacy Restoration Fund is a proven program with measurable returns and the National Park Foundation supports its reauthorization because the results speak for themselves.

We appreciate Senators Banks and Young and Congressman Mrvan for all their support for the reauthorization of this program by cosponsoring the America the Beautiful Act.

Leaving a Legacy: Investing in our Park

Today’s investments build on generations of advocacy.

In 2024, visitors to Indiana Dunes generated an estimated $143 million for the local economy. That is the return on this kind of investment — not only in buildings, but in communities.

The National Park Foundation’s significant investments in Indiana Dunes—including the $625,000 smart parking grant, $300,000 for Good Fellow Furnishings.These investments represent an exciting new level of partnership and support for the park.

Grand Re-Opening Celebration on August 29th, 2026

Photos Courtesy of the National Park Foundation

Jammin with Save the Dunes Cancelled

After careful consideration, Save the Dunes has made the difficult decision to cancel Jammin with Save the Dunes tomorrow due to the thunderstorms in the forecast. While we know this is disappointing, we hope you can understand that the health and safety of our guests, our staff, and our performers is our first priority. If you purchased tickets for the event, you will be receiving an email with details regarding refunds, or the option to donate your ticket cost to Save the Dunes. Thank you for your understanding and support! If you have any questions, feel free to email us at office@savedunes.org.

Purchase Your National Park Pass
from Save the Dunes!

Save the Dunes is now selling National Park Passes! Your Pass allows you to access any and all Indiana Dunes National Park beaches, trailheads, and parking lots while enjoying the beauty of the Indiana Dunes and beyond. 10% of funds from passes purchased through Save the Dunes will go directly to supporting our mission.

Email or call us at 219-879-3564 to schedule a time to purchase your pass at our office at 444 Barker Road, Michigan City. Or come see us at any of our in-person events! 

Pass Options:

  • 7-Day Indiana Dunes National Park Pass — $25
  • Annual Indiana Dunes National Park Pass — $45
  • Annual America the Beautiful National Park Pass — $80
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Happy #GivingTuesday!

Today is all about Getting Involved and Giving to the organizations you hold near and dear to your heart. We hope you will consider making Save the Dunes one of the organizations you support this year!

Your gift will be matched today thanks to our matching donors, Mark J. Mihalo D.D.S. Family Dentistry; CLH, CPA’s & Consultants; and Nancy Moldenhauer & Sharlene Livesay.  

Will you join their generosity by supporting Save the Dunes this Giving Tuesday?

Help us reach our goal of $8,500 by donating today!

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