Indiana Dunes sits at the southern tip of Lake Michigan. Some of the best hikes at Indiana Dunes take you over tall sand dunes with Chicago on the horizon; others move through beech forests, restored prairies, and boardwalk wetlands. The trail network across the National Park, State Park, and surrounding preserves spans more than 70 miles of good hiking. 

Trail Highlights and How to Choose the Right Route 

Choosing the right trail comes down to a few basics: how long you want to be on your feet, whether you need shade, if you're hiking with kids or a dog, and how you feel about loose, sandy terrain. Keep your preferences in mind and pick the trails that suit you best. 

Featured Trails 

Challenging Dune Climbs

1. The 3 Dune Challenge — Indiana Dunes State Park 1.5 miles | Challenging | Sand and packed trail 

The route follows Trail 8 over the park's three tallest dunes — Mt. Jackson (176 ft), Mt. Holden (184 ft), and Mt. Tom (192 ft) — covering 552 vertical feet of loose sand. The Chicago skyline is visible from the peaks on clear days. Most finish in 45–90 minutes; once complete, you can collect a free sticker at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center. Dogs are welcome on a leash.

Two athletes high five next to a 3 Dune Challenge sign atop a dune. Lake Michigan can be seen in the background through trees.

2. Trail #9 — Indiana Dunes State Park 3.75 miles | Rugged | Sand, dune ridge, oak savanna, forest 

Trail 9 runs along a scenic ridge overlooking Lake Michigan, passing three wind-carved blowouts (the Beach House Blowout being the standout) before moving through mature oak savanna on the return. Allow 1.5 hours and prepare for buggy trails in summer. Dogs are welcome on a leash. 

A smiling blonde woman dressed in fall clothes raises her hands in the air. She is standing in front of vegetation atop a dune in front of Lake Michigan.

3. Mount Baldy Beach Trail — Indiana Dunes National Park 0.75 miles | Moderate to rugged | Oak woodland, loose sand, beach 

Oak woodland leads to a steep, sandy descent to the beach beneath Mount Baldy — the park's highest point at 126 feet, still actively moving inland. Summit access is ranger-led only; check nps.gov/indu for tour dates. Open 6am–11pm. Budget an hour. 

A man and woman walk through the woods with their two Golden Retrievers.

Scenic and Photogenic Routes

4. Paul H. Douglas Trail (Miller Woods) — Indiana Dunes National Park 3.4 miles | Moderate | Black oak savanna, boardwalk wetland, beach 

Starting at the Paul H. Douglas Center in Gary, the trail passes through a globally rare black oak savanna, a boardwalk wetland complex, and out to Lake Michigan. The lupine bloom in May is worth timing a visit around, and the Chicago skyline is visible from the beach on clear days. Allow 2 hours. Note that poison ivy is common along trail edges. Dogs on a leash. Open 6am–11pm.

A woman wearing orange and green explores a boardwalk trail in her wheelchair.

5. Dune Succession Trail (Diana Dunes Dare) — West Beach 0.9 miles | Easy to moderate | Sand, 250-step boardwalk staircase, beach 

The 250-step staircase leads to the top of Diana's Dune and a view of Lake Michigan. Interpretive signs tell the story of Alice Mabel Gray, who left her career in Chicago to live alone out here for nearly a decade in the early 1900s. Budget 30–45 minutes. After, collect a free sticker at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center.

A man wearing tan pants, a hat, and green pants stands on a deck next to an informational sign for the Diana Dunes Dare. He is pointing behind him at the view of Lake Michigan.

6. Cowles Bog Trail — Indiana Dunes National Park 4.7 miles | Moderate to rugged | Forest, boardwalk fen, sand, beach 

Among the best local hiking spots in the park, this lollipop loop moves through a fen, black oak savannas, interdunal ponds, and a steep dune descent to a quiet stretch of Lake Michigan beach. Plan 4 hours. Bug spray is essential in summer; shoes must handle sand and mud. Dogs are welcome on a leash. Open 6am–11pm. 

A group of birders wearing long pants and shirts walk down a wooded trail.

7. Coffee Creek Preserve — Chesterton 5+ miles | Easy | Boardwalk, bridges, gravel, dirt 

A short drive from both the national and state parks, Coffee Creek Preserve is a 157-acre independent preserve in Chesterton, with restored prairie, wetlands, and woodland paths connecting them. Far fewer crowds than the main dune areas. Free to enter, open dawn to dusk. Works for cross-country skiing in winter. 

A family sits with their dog on stones next to a creek in the woods.

Family-Friendly Walks 

8. Dune Ridge Trail — Indiana Dunes National Park 0.7 miles | Moderate | Sand, oak savanna, dune ridge overlook 

In under a mile this trail moves through foredune, oak savanna, and forested ridge, finishing with views over the Great Marsh. Done in 30 minutes. Trailhead at Kemil Road off U.S. Highway 12, Beverly Shores. 

A sandy trail emerges from a woodland. People are hiking toward the trees.

9. Great Marsh Trail — Indiana Dunes National Park 1.3 miles | Easy | Packed dirt, accessible boardwalk overlook 

A flat loop along the edge of the largest interdunal wetland in the Lake Michigan watershed. Sandhill cranes, herons, egrets, and wood ducks are regular, depending on season. An accessible paved spur leads to an observation deck. Allow 1 hour. Open 6am–11pm. 

Two women look at the landscape through binoculars and a birding scope.

10. Heron Rookery Trail — Indiana Dunes National Park 3.3 miles (out and back) | Easy | Packed dirt and clay, river path 

One of the better hiking spots for wildflower season: the trail along the Little Calumet River has the park's best display — trillium, spring beauties, and Dutchman's breeches peak late April through mid-May. Trail clay gets slippery after rain. Allow 2 hours. Dogs welcome on a leash. Open 6am–11pm. 

A small insect walks on a pink and yellow flower.

11. Bailly Homestead, Chellberg Farm & Little Calumet River Trail — Indiana Dunes National Park 3.4 miles | Easy to moderate | Boardwalk, beech-maple forest, restored prairie 

Connects two National Historic Landmarks: the Bailly Homestead (a fur trading post from the 1820s) and the working Chellberg Farm, where the park makes maple syrup every March. Allow 2.5 hours. Restrooms and water at the trailhead. 

A young boy and girl look through chicken wire at three chickens in their pen.

12. Trail #2 — Indiana Dunes State Park 3 miles | Easy | Forest, fern-covered floor 

The quietest trail in the state park — best in spring for wildflowers and ferns. Good starting point for first-time visitors. Allow 1.5 hours. Dogs welcome on a leash. 

A boardwalk trail leads into the woods. Green foliage is on each side.

Longer and More Exploratory Routes 

13. Glenwood Dunes Trail — Indiana Dunes National Park Up to ~15 miles | Moderate | Mature oak forest, interconnected loops 

The park's largest trail system crosses 12,000-year-old dunes now covered in oak forest. Loops combine for routes from under a mile to nearly 15. Dogs are not permitted due to shared horse use. Allow 4 hours for the featured 6.8-mile loop. Open 6am–11pm. 

A man looks up at another man sitting on a horse. A building and foliage is seen in the background.

14. Pinhook Bog — Indiana Dunes National Park Upland Trail: 2.1 miles | Moderate | Beech-maple forest, moraine terrain 

One of Indiana's few true bogs, acidic enough to support carnivorous pitcher plants, sundew, and wild orchids. The Upland Trail loops through the surrounding beech-maple forest (6am–11pm year-round); the bog's floating boardwalk requires a ranger-led program on summer weekends — book via the Visitor Center. Dogs on leash on the Upland Trail. Allow 1.5 hours. 

An aerial view of a winding boardwalk over a wetland with trees.

15. Red Mill County Park — La Porte County ~2.5 miles | Easy to moderate | Forest, wetland, open water 

Located off U.S. Highway 421 south of Michigan City, this 160-acre county park includes 23 acres of wetlands, open water, and headwaters of the Little Calumet River. Quieter than the national park trails. Pick up a map at the park office — trails are shared with mountain bikers. Dogs welcome; picnics and restrooms on-site. 

Plan Your Visit 

Spring brings wildflowers and mud; summer means crowds and biting insects (bug spray isn't optional June through August); fall is when the trails to hike here look their best — colors peak September through October, and the temperatures are finally manageable; winter turns the dunes quiet, with several trails open for cross-country skiing. 

Indiana Dunes National Park is open daily 6am–11pm (A National Park Pass is required). Indiana Dunes State Park is open daily 7am–11pm (A State Park Pass is required). The two parks require separate passes. The Indiana Dunes trip planning guide is a good next stop for the rest of your day.