Discover Heron Rookery Trail

This 3.3-mile trail winds along the Little Calumet River and takes its name from the multitude of great blue herons nests once found here. While these majestic birds no longer call the woods home, numerous other migratory and nesting birds still find shelter in the beech, maple, and wide array of other trees found here. The forest floor is also the site of a dazzling display of wildflowers, including the stunning spring ephemerals that bloom during the short window of time between the spring thaw and the return of the thick leaf canopy overhead.

Discovery Trail Logo

Main Parking Lot Trailhead

The larger parking lot on the east side of the Heron Rookery connects to a trail that heads west alongside the Little Calumet River. The trail is 3.3 miles round trip.

A park ranger stands in a parking lot near two cars

West Parking Lot Trailhead

The small parking on the west side of the rookery is the quickest and easiest way to get to the plethora of spring ephemerals that bloom here annually. The trail is 3.3 miles round trip.

A shallow stream flows through green trees.

The Geological Story of Heron Rookery Trail

Like Lake Michigan, the Little Calumet River dates back to the last ice age, when great glaciers pushed south before retreating, leaving behind the sand dunes, lakes, and wetlands that make the Indiana Dunes a unique treasure. The Little Calumet lies to the south of its sibling, the Grand Calumet River, both finding their way to Lake Michigan through the shifting basins and ridges the glaciers carved into the landscape.

Marvelous Plants of Heron Rookery

The forest of the Heron Rookery Trail includes a surprising diversity of trees, including gleaming white sycamores and the distinctive shagbark hickory, which looks like it’s continually shedding its skin. But the wildflowers here are the real stars. The river’s periodic flooding makes the soil here rich with nutrients and the perfect habitat for flowers. During the early spring months, unique plants like the dutchman's breeches, jack-in-the-pulpits, and trillium put on a dazzling show. This is followed by beauties like the nodding wakerobins and mayapples.

Start your Flower Quest

White flowers that look like little white breeches dangle from reddish stems.

Floristic Integrity

The floristic quality, integrity, and biodiversity along the Heron Rookery Trail is remarkable. This small area of only 400 acres has over 200 native plants.

Within the Indiana Dunes National Park, there are over 350 non-native plant species, but here at the Heron Rookery there are only 11 documented non-native plant species. This is unheard of in this area.

Two hands cradle a plant with a white flower

Invasives

Garlic Mustard is one of the few non-native plants in the Heron Rookery. Each spring, rangers tiptoe through the wildflowers to extract the plant before it uses up all of the area's resources.

A Chicago Connection?

In April, wild leeks fill the forest floor. Some say the Indigenous word Chickagou inspired the name of Chicago. It's its actual definition may relate to the smell of wild garlic and onions.

Jack or Jill?

Botanist, Nathanael Pilla talks about a very interesting woodland wildflower, Jack-in-the-Pulpit. This perennial forest herb is related to the skunk cabbage and is able to change its sex.

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Discover the Wildflowers of the Indiana Dunes

The Indiana Dunes is one of the most biodiverse national parks in the entire country. Over 1,100 flowering plant species and ferns make their homes here. How many flowers can YOU find?

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at Heron Rookery

Beautiful Birds of Heron Rookery

The great blue herons may have moved on, but a multitude of beautiful birds can be found resting on the branches above the Heron Rookery Trail. The hammering of woodpeckers often echoes here, and flashes of color from kingfishers and warblers can be seen here. Perhaps thanks to its abundant insect population, the area is also known for its large number of American Redstarts.

New to birding?

Grab a copy of this self-led birding tour, and visit six of the Indiana Dunes area birding recommended by local birders. Spectacular birds are waiting for you. Can you spot 'em all?

Amazing Insects at Heron Rookery

With so many plants, pollinating insects thrive in the woods here. Native bee species like the mason bee make a home in the trees and branches here, and tiny carpenter bees even live in the stems of plants. Beautiful dragonflies and damselflies also flash between the flowers of the Heron Rookery Trail, and caddis flies, which feed on leaf debris or other insects. The rich variety of insects forms what is called a pollinator community under the shade of the trees. Because of the wet conditions here, mosquitoes also thrive here in the summer, so be sure to come prepared.

Wild Bees vs. Honey Bees

Aside from making honey, honey bees live as colonies in a hive and work together as a group. Most wild bees are solitary and live in wood or tiny tunnels in the soil.

Honey bees are actually not native to North America. Although wonderful for honey production, they are unwelcome in wild areas, such as Heron Rookery. This is because they compete with the native wild bee species.

Buzzing Bees

When most people think of bees, they might imagine only honeybees or bumblebees. But approximately 200 species of bees live in the Indiana Dunes! With so many flowers, it's no wonder!

Spring Ephemerals

Some wildflowers known as spring ephemerals bloom here for as little as three days. Tiny treasures like the harbinger of spring are visible from the trail, so look carefully!

Indiana Dunes Gifts and Souvenirs

The Indiana Dunes is one of the most biodiverse areas in the country. Show off your love for the dunes with some swag.

Master of Camouflage

While resting with its wings closed, the Comma butterfly is nearly indistinguishable from a leaf. It is not only the color that helps the insect hide, but the ragged shape of its wings.

Little Calumet River

The Little Calumet River would naturally meander through this area, but it has been channelized and then ditched, so it's much lower in elevation than what it would have been historically.

The river is fighting and pushing against the bank and ultimately causes enough erosion to topple trees and create log jams. Anglers can take advantage of these spots because fish love to hide in the log jams. Paddlers, however, will have to portage their kayaks around such barriers.

Fun Fact about eDNA

Environmental DNA, or eDNA, is the DNA that can be extracted from the environment, such as the Little Calumet River water. With a sample of water, the DNA of the local fish can be detected…

What to Expect

Be Ready

Poison ivy can grow alongside the trail, and portions can become wet and muddy. Be sure to wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Bring along a reusable water bottle and snacks.

A sign on a pole lists tips to prevent tick bites.

Be Safe

Mosquitoes and ticks can be a nuisance in the summer, so be sure to use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents. Check yourself for ticks after your hike.

Be Responsible

Visitors must stay on designated trails at all times. We have created a video to help you learn about your role in enjoying the dunes area safely while minimizing your impact on the park.

How to Help

We are all responsible for protecting our parks for future generations. The Indiana Dunes, as a whole, is one of he most biodiverse areas in the United States. Here are some tips to help you limit your impact on the natural habitats in the dunes area.

Get Involved

Be the Change — Volunteer! Get more involved with the Indiana Dunes! There are many no-hassle, drop-in volunteer opportunities available for everyone. Just show up!

Love & Protect the Dunes

Each of us who visit the Indiana Dunes can also help protect natural heritage, biodiversity, and local culture by taking a few simple steps.

Discover Heron Rookery Trail

The Geological Story of Heron Rookery Trail

Marvelous Plants of Heron Rookery

Floristic Integrity

John's Cabbage

Wood Anemone

Wild Leeks

Hepatica

White Trillium

Trout Lily

Spring Beauty

Skunk Cabbage

Purple Cress

Mayapple

Jack-in-the-Pulpit

Geranium

Buttercup

Harbinger of Spring

Bloodroot

Dutchman's Breeches

Phlox