1966 Hiking Challenge
19 ranger hikes, 66 miles total. Earn your medal. May–September Saturdays at 8 AM.
View guideExplore Indiana Dunes National Park
Trails
Compare park trails at a glance, then open a trail guide for distance, difficulty, access and trip-planning details.
25 trails Showing 1–24
Bailly Homestead, Chellberg Farm, Little Calumet River, Mnoké Prairie Trails
3.4-mile loop: historic homesteads, restored prairie, river crossings. Mud hazard—bring waterproof boots. Watch for ticks.
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Calumet Dunes Trail
Half-mile paced loop: accessible, family-friendly, easy dunes entry. Year-round ticks; stay left at junctions.
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Cowles Bog Trail (North)
Steep loose-sand dunes meet Lake Michigan views. Hydration discipline mandatory here.
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Cowles Bog Trail (South)
4.7 miles of loose sand, steep dunes, zero water. Bring 2L+, start early. Lake views payoff big.
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Diana Dunes Dare
Short loop, big story. Climb dune stairs for Chicago views; 40 min of sun, sand, and history.
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Dune Ridge Trail
0.7mi loop with Great Marsh views. Steep sandy climb, technical descent—grit required.
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Full Day Expeditions
Multi-route dune itinerary: 1-24 hours, your difficulty, your duration. Hydration and sun are the real threat.
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Glenwood Dunes Trail (Alternate)
13 junctions, sandy dunes, flat loops. Bring a map, bring water, bring tick vigilance.
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Glenwood Dunes Trail (Main)
13 junctions, 6.8 miles, zero shade. Map reading required; elevation gain is trivial.
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Great Marsh Trail (North)
1.3-mile marsh overlook. Flat, muddy, packed with herons, cranes, and migrating warblers. Birders' hit.
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Great Marsh Trail (South)
Easy 1.3-mile birding loop. Observation deck at the heart, mud underfoot, ticks year-round.
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Half Day Adventures
Multiple routes through dunes, beaches, and forests—pick your intensity. 2-8 hours.
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Hobart Prairie Grove Trail (East)
Muddy ravine walk with Lake George views. Wear boots—the trail can be a slick mess.
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Hobart Prairie Grove Trail (West)
Mud-prone woodlands and lake ravines. Easy hike if you pack the right boots.
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Mt. Baldy Beach Trail
0.75mi loose-sand scramble down, brutally steep climb back up. Lake Michigan views are the payoff.
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One Hour Excursions
Mt. Baldy, lakefront beaches, historic farms. Pick one hour's worth of adventure.
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Paddling Lake Michigan and Waterways at Indiana Dunes
Three paddling zones from novice to expert. Lake Michigan cold kills fast. Bring PFD, respect the forecast, or skip.
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Paul H. Douglas Trail through Miller Woods
3.4 miles of sand and dunes to Lake Michigan. Bring double water—the sun and loose footing are relentless.
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Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Beach
Paved lakefront walk with Lake Michigan views. Easy terrain, serious hazards: ticks year-round, rip currents, poison ivy. Know your risks.
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Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Pavilion
Exposed Lake Michigan overlook. Restrooms, water, and bird spotting. Wind intense—bring layers.
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Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Trail
Bird-watching loop on Lake Michigan: easy paved trail with dune restoration. Mostly accessible, ticks year-round.
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Tolleston Dunes Trail
Ancient sand dunes with relentless rolling gains. No shade, no water—hydration is non-negotiable. Ticks year-round.
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Upland Trail
Bog and moraine hike through beech and maple. Mud is relentless—waterproof boots essential. 2.1 miles, 1.5 hours.
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