The Chellberg Farm

While hiking the colorful trails of the Chellberg Farm, I headed toward the old farmhouse and barn. These building are open from time to time, to demonstrate farm life of the 1800's. In the past two years, the barn and fields have been the home to a few farm animals including two horses. As I approached the barn, the horses immediately came outside to greet me. I stood only a foot or two away from the fence, and they walked up to me. I tried to put a few feet between us so I could capture some photos, but they kept following me, staying right with me. I spent a little time with them, then continued on my way to the other side of the pasture. From there, I was able to capture some photos of the horses from a distance. Of course, this horse noticed me right away, then began heading toward me again. The old farm house wasn't open on this day, but I was still able to wander the grounds. In March, the Maple Sugar Days will be held here, and the kitchen will be filled with the scent of fresh cookies baked on the antique wood stove. For now, I can only imagine how many children played on that porch and in the field in front of the house. Behind the farm house and barn, lies the colorful sugarbush, the maple tree - filled woods bursting in color at this time of year.

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Nestled in the Woods

A hike through the woods of the Bailey Homestead on a cloudy, Fall morning brought us to a few small log cabins. Similar cabins were used in this area for trappers, and even homesteads. Set against the colorful Fall colors, the cabins stand out quite well.



At certain times of the year, these cabins are open to the public for historical demonstrations of the homestead. This particular cabin was used to demonstrate traditional music and dance, while the cabin below is a trapper's cabin complete with tools of the trade and furs.


This area is only about a half mile down the trail from the golden leaves of the Chellberg Farm's sugar bush, making this area very easy to visit while at the farm.

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The Sugar Shack in Autumn

One of the staple features of the Chellberg Farm in Spring, the sugar shack rests atop a hill surrounded by Fall color. The maple trees which provide sap for the maple sugar process turn a vivid gold at this time of year, and create one of the most impressive displays of autumn color at the Indiana Dunes National Park.

There are many other areas within the park with beautiful Fall color, but this area is in my opinion the most spectacular. Hiking the trails through the sugar bush, one is surrounded by the golden leaves not only on the trees, but on the forest floor.

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