Exploring Indiana Dunes Trails? Look no further, I have got the guide for you here!
Smooth sand dunes painted against vibrant blue waters is not typically what you picture when someone mentions Indiana!
Midwest also isn’t the go-to road trip destination for National Park seekers.
But Indiana Dunes is the hidden gem that provides all of this and more. Perhaps that is its biggest draw- Indiana Dunes is truly off the beaten path.
Chicago’s next-door neighbor may be its best kept secret- Indiana Dunes National Park gained official National Park Status in 2019 after being a state park and national lakeshore since 1966.
5 of the best trails at Indiana Dunes National Park include the 3 Dune Challenge, Dune Succession Trail, West Beach Trail, Long Lake, and Cowles Bog Trail.
5 Indiana Dunes Trails
1. 3 Dune Challenge
Length: 2 Miles
Difficulty: Moderate
The 3 Dune Challenge at Indiana Dunes State Park involves climbing its three tallest dunes.
The challenge is completed along Trail 8. Enter through the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center where you will pay the state park fee, receive a paper map, and continue to trailhead parking. Overflow parking is available.
The trail begins along flat sand and quickly takes you uphill to the top of your first dune.
Shortly after hiking downhill, prepare to take on a steeper incline for your second dune. That’s kind of the purpose of this 3 dunes challenge- it’s to hike up 3 separate dunes! What goes up, must come down (was my inner teacher showing there?)
The third and final dune is accessed via a staircase. Following the stairs back down, you will complete the trail 8 loop in a circle to the parking lot.
I completed the 3 Dune Challenge at Indiana Dunes in about 2 hours, with plenty of stops for photos and enjoying the day.
2. Dune Succession Trail
Length: 1 Mile
Difficulty: Easy
There are three unique Indiana Dunes trails you can access from the West Beach parking lot, about 15 minutes past the Indiana Dunes official entrance.
Each trail is completed in a loop.
Plug West Beach into your GPS to reach the huge parking lot. There is no shortage of parking spaces.
Dune Succession Trail (Loop 1) is its own out and back and does NOT connect to the other trails. The West Beach Trail (Loop 2) and Long Lake Trail (Loop 3) trails at West Beach do connect.
Consider hiking one loop, part of both loops, or fully completing both loops. I finished all three loops in about 2 hours and 45 minutes while stopping for pictures and breaks in between.
Begin Dune Succession Trail by following the flat sand trail to your first steep staircase. The views begin shortly after!
Continue weaving and winding down staircases and through the forest as you are graced with new landscapes. It took me about 30 minutes to complete this popular Indiana Dunes trail at a leisurely pace.
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3. West Beach Trail
Length: 1.7 miles
Difficulty: Easy
West Beach Flat is a mostly flat trail, making it relatively easy. It’s where I noticed that Indiana Dunes actually has cactus plants.. Cactus in the Midwest, WHAT?! This is not the desert, but I’m totally here for it.
During spring, purple lupine flowers are in full bloom. This was my favorite part of West Beach Trail!
4. Long Lake Trail
Length: 1.7 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Long Lake Trail begins with a hike up a sand dune and leads into the depths of a forest trail.
Weaving in and around, the vibrant green diversity of plants and tall trees had us feeling like we had entered a fairy tale! As the trees decrease in size, the seasonal wildflowers appear.
During spring, Lupine wildflowers are in FULL bloom on this Indiana Dunes trail, and we just couldn’t get enough. I mean, come ON!
5. Cowles Bog Trail
Length: 4.3 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Cowles Bog Trail is not as scenic as West Beach hiking, but this Indiana Dunes trail is worth the journey. Begin Cowles Bog Trail on an upward incline through the woods along sand that eventually evolves into solid dirt.
At the top of this incline, you will realize you have reached the top of a sand dune overlooking spectacular views of Lake Michigan.
From here, you can climb down the dune to explore this Indiana Dunes beach. Imagine how relaxing that would be on a Midwest summer vacation!
Re-enter Cowles Bog Trail after walking along the beach to complete the full loop, or you can just turn back around to complete this trail as an out-and-back.
Conclusion
Indiana Dunes is a national park full of treasures and hidden gems.
Between scenic coastlines and rugged forests, there are so many amazing trails to explore!
Its proximity to the windy city makes it one of the best places to hike near Chicago.
Whether you are hoping to check out some of the best Midwest fall foliage or prime Midwest hiking, there is something for everyone to enjoy at Indiana Dunes.
I hope you have an incredible Indiana Dunes trip- I would like to hear about it. Send me a message!
