The way I see it, there’s three reasons to why you might choose to visit Indiana Dunes. The first is because you’re trying to complete a goal of visiting every national park in the United States and Indiana Dunes National Park is the next park on your list. The second is because you’re looking to have some fun at the beach and Lake Michigan was significantly closer than any ocean. The third is because you’re interested in hiking the dunes and visiting the nature.
This guide will specifically focus on the third type of traveler but it can be applied to other travelers as well. In this guide, I’ll cover the best hikes at Indiana Dunes, all of which I’ve hiked myself.
Best Hikes at Indiana Dunes
This is not a list of every hike that can be done at Indiana Dunes, but rather it’s the hikes that I recommend you focus on. With three trips to Indiana Dunes under my belt, I feel confident in these recommendations.
Note while most of these hikes are within Indiana Dunes National Park, one hike is within Indiana Dunes State Park.
Paul H. Douglas Trail
While this list technically is in no particular order, I’m starting off with my favorite trail and what I think is the best hike at Indiana Dunes. The Paul H. Douglas Trail is a 3.5 mile out and back trail that takes you from the Paul Douglas Center, through the woods, and all the way out to Lake Michigan.
What I loved about this trail was the variety. You’ll walk through the woods, you’ll walk through a marsh, you’ll walk through sand dunes, and of course, your turn around point is Lake Michigan—with a view of the Chicago Skyline on a clear day.
As mentioned, the trail is 3.5 miles out and back. The first mile is pretty easy, but the next 2.5 miles (1.25 miles to Lake Michigan and 1.25 miles back from Lake Michigan) is a bit more challenging as you’ll be walking in sand. It’s not difficult, but you’re essentially forced to go slower.
I loved this trail and it is my favorite at Indiana Dunes, but before you head to the park, check the current conditions. When I visited in 2022, the Paul Douglas Center was undergoing some substantial renovations which left the parking area closed. There was a small lot that fit four vehicles at the trail head, but that was it. Now in 2024, it looks like there some periodic closures of the lot, so check ahead.
Trail Stats: 3.5 miles, with some a bit of elevation change. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours
Dune Succession Trail/Diana’s Dare
Diana’s Dare is part of the Dune Succession Trail and is located in the West Beach area of the park. From the parking lot, you’ll climb Diana’s Dune where you’ll be able to see Chicago in the distance (if it’s a clear day). Descend the dune and walk along the shores of Lake Michigan before looping back to the parking lot. It’s a short trail but because you’ll be walking along sand, you likely won’t be super fast.
So why is it called Diana’s Dare? The trail is named for Alice Mabel Gray, nicknamed “Diana of the Dunes” by reporters during her lifetime, who rejected traditional society to live an unconventional lifestyle and protect the dunes. As you hike along the trail, watch for signs that tell her story.
Take a selfie on the top of Diana’s Dune. Once you’ve finished, head to the Visitor Center (not the Nature Center) and you’ll receive a free vinyl sticker.
Trail Stats: 0.9 miles, 75 feet of elevation gain. Allow 30 minutes
Dune Ridge Trail
The Dune Ridge Trail is another short trail but takes you through some diverse areas of the park. In fact, the NPS says “Perhaps no other area in the national park will take you through as many diverse habitats in such a short trail.” From the parking lot, you’ll hike into the forest, up a sand dunes, to a view overlooking the marsh land.
Like so many trails, it’s short, but the areas where you’ll walk on sand will slow you down. Still, I did enjoy this trail because it helped to add some variety. Hiking on endless sand dunes can get repetitive.
Trail Stats: 0.67 miles, 100 feet of elevation gain. Allow 30 minutes.
Tolleston Dunes
The trail at Tolleston Dunes is unique. You’re hiking on dunes, but not in the way you may think. Thousands of years ago, Lake Michigan (and the rest of the Great Lakes) were much larger and Lake Michigan stretched all the way out to here. Once you’re at the park and at Tolleston Dunes, it really helps to put into perspective how much area this is. Anyway, back when Lake Michigan was that much larger, Tolleston Dunes were the sand dunes close to the shore. As the lake receded, these dunes remained.
This trail feels different from many of the other trails because while it’s still dunes, it felt easier. The area also feels more diverse as you’re further away from Lake Michigan and more in a wooded area. After a few trails on the dunes close to Lake Michigan, this is a nice change of pace.
Personally, I hiked the short loop. I originally planned on the long loop, but changed my mind halfway through and decided to try to get in some other shorter hikes. This turned out to be great because the weather didn’t quite cooperate later. I don’t feel like I missed much by hiking the shorter loop, but again, I skipped the long loop so I can’t say for certain.
Trail Stats: For the short loop, 2.06 miles, 150 feet of elevation gain. Allow about an hour. For the long loop, add an extra 0.9 miles for a total of 2.9 miles. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours.
Great Marsh Trail
Unlike most of the trails on this list, this trail isn’t about sand dunes or Lake Michigan and is instead focused on the marsh. This adds a bit of variety and a different hiking experience. The trail is flat and since it’s not sand dunes, you can move at a normal pace, which is very nice. The one thing I will mention though is that this trail can get very muddy (you’re in a marsh). This is not a trail I’d recommend if it has rained recently as it will be incredibly muddy.
Overall, I liked this trail, but I don’t think it’s one of my top trails. Still, I enjoyed the variety that it provided. And it was nice to not climb sand dunes and give my legs a bit of a rest.
Trail Stats: 1.4 miles (including a stop at the marsh overlook), 10 feet of elevation gain. Allow 30 to 45 minutes.
Cowles Bogs Trail
The Cowles Bog Trail is the longest hike on this list, coming in at 4.5 miles. Like many of the hikes on this list, you’ll up and over some sand dunes, but you’ll walk through the woods as well. During the fall, when the leaves have changed, this hike is incredibly beautiful.
You’ll have to make a two decisions on this hike and the first is whether you want to do the short loop or the long loop. The short loop shaves a mile off the hike and eliminates the tough climbs up Mount Tuthill and Mount Bentley. The downside is you won’t make it to Lake Michigan and the beach. The long loop includes Lake Michigan, but also involves climbing both Mount Tuthill and Mount Bentley.
The second decision is which direction you want to hike this trail. The trail is a lollipop, so you’ll walk out 0.9 miles, do a loop, and follow that same 0.9 mile trail back to the start. So, do you do the loop clockwise or counterclockwise? Honestly, I don’t think it matters much. I went clockwise but if I were to do it again, I’d go counterclockwise. Both Mount Tuthill and Mount Bentley were steep but there seemed to be more roots on Mount Tuthill making it “easier” to find your footing (but it’s still a sand dune, so it’s not easy).
So what’s my advice? If you’re here in the fall, I recommend this trail, but I think otherwise it will be pretty average and you can get a similar experience at some of the other trails in the park. Additionally, unless this is the only trail you’re hiking, do the short loop. Yes, you’ll skip Lake Michigan, but there are plenty of other, easier trails that include a stop out along the beach.
Trail Stats: 4.4 miles, 225 feet of elevation gain. The NPS says to allow 4 hours, but I think 2-3 is more reasonable. If you do the short loop 1-2 hours is reasonable.
3 Dune Challenge
So far all of the trails that I’ve mentioned have been at Indiana Dunes National Park, but since Indiana Dunes State Park is right there, I have to include one trail from the state park. The 3 Dune Challenge isn’t a traditional trail, but rather it’s a particular route through several trails that takes you to the three tallest dunes in Indiana Dunes State Park.
Looks can be deceiving because this route is only 1.5 miles and 552 feet of elevation. The challenge comes from climbing up the sand dunes where it’s two step forward and one step back all the way up the dune as your feet struggle for footing in the sand.
To hike this trail, you’ll exit the Nature Center and then make a decision. The trail does a loop so you’ll end up back at the Nature Center, but I feel like there’s a best way to hike this trail. Once you exit the Nature Center, head to the left. Then follow the signs for the 3 Dune Challenge and climb Mount Jackson (at 176 feet) and Mount Holden (at 184 feet). Your reward for going to the left is that the tallest dune, Mount Tom (at 192 feet) has stairs. The really hard climb is behind you and you get to take stairs instead of sand to the top of Mount Tom.
Take selfies on the top of each dune. Once you’ve finished, head to the Visitor Center (not the Nature Center) and you’ll receive a free vinyl sticker.
Trail Stats: 1.5 miles, 550 feet of elevation gain. Allow one hour.
What is the Best Hike at Indiana Dunes?
Obviously each person has different opinions, but I’d say my favorite trail was the Paul H. Douglas Trail. I liked the variety throughout the trail and it’s still the best hike at Indiana Dunes in my opinion.
Other than that trail, I think the best hikes at Indiana Dunes are either Tolleston Dunes or the Dune Ridge Trail.
The Great Marsh Trail offers variety, but I would only recommend doing this trail on a dry day. And finally, the 3 Dune Challenge is great for an accomplishment, but it’s overall not one of my top picks.
So, if you’re planning your trip, here’s what I recommend for hiking at Indiana Dunes.
- Paul H. Douglas trail
- Tolleston Dunes or Cowles Bog Trail
- Diana’s Dare/Dune Succession Trail or Dune Ridge Trail
- Great Marsh Trail
- 3 Dune Challenge
Indiana Dunes Hikes to Skip
I’m hesitant to list any hikes to skip because I believe that every activity is right for someone. However, I will discourage a visit to the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Trail. I had plans to hike this trail, but as I drove up, I scrapped them. The drive to this area is through an industrial park, which in itself isn’t bad, but that means that park of the trail runs very close to this area and it’s just not as nice as the name implies.
Since I drove out, I walked out on the pier for a short distance, but I can’t say I recommend it. I think your time is much better spent on any of the other trails that I’ve mentioned.
Beyond Hiking at Indiana Dunes
While this post was all about hiking at Indiana Dunes, there’s more to do than just hike. This area is a great place to spend some time relaxing at the beach. If you’re visiting in summer, I recommend hiking in the morning and spending the afternoon having some fun at one of the many beaches.
Admittedly I haven’t spent much time on the beaches at Indiana Dunes, but in my defense, I have lived on Lake Michigan (in Wisconsin) my entire life. The beaches of Lake Michigan aren’t as big of a deal to me as they might be for other travelers. But if you do want to spend time on the beach, there’s plenty of options to do so. From everything I’ve seen, the beaches at Indiana Dunes State Park are nicer than those at Indiana Dunes National Park.
Additionally, you’ll find the Century of Progress homes, a series of homes that were created for the 1933 World’s Fair. The homes are only able to be toured with a guide and days are limited. But you’ll always be able to see them from the outside. When the homes were built, they were considered modern, but honestly, even though they were created almost a century ago, they still look modern. They really were ahead of their time.
How Long Do You Need at Indiana Dunes
For nearly all travelers, I’d recommend giving yourself one full day at Indiana Dunes. That gives you a chance to get out and hike. Plus, you have a chance to spend a little bit of time relaxing on the beach.
That said, if you want to do every hike I’ve listed, you’ll likely want two days. Don’t get me wrong, Indiana Dunes is nice, but I don’t know if it’s necessarily worth two back to back days because it will just get repetitive.
Entrance Fees
Admission for Indiana Dunes National Park: $15 per vehicle, which valid for 7 days. You can also use the America the Beautiful Pass. Pay your admission fee and the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center located as 1215 IN-49 in Porter, IN.
Admission for Indiana Dunes State Park: $7 (Indiana License Plates) or $12 (Out of State License Plates). You will go through a booth to pay your fee as you drive into the state park.
Where to Stay at Indiana Dunes
I’ve visited Indiana Dunes twice and both times I stayed in Chesterton, IN. The city of Portage is also nearby.
When to Visit Indiana Dunes
Indiana Dunes can be visited all year round. Summers are the most popular because so many people are coming for the beach. But many of those visitors will also hit a trail or two, so don’t expect that you’ll still get the trails to yourselves in summer.
Winter is the low season, but don’t expect the trails to be empty. A handful of the trails turn into cross country skiing trails for the winter. This isn’t my favorite, but if you love skiing, consider a visit during the winter months for a very different experience.
Just as a note, I can’t speak to Indiana Dunes during the winter, but I can speak to other parts of Lake Michigan during the winter. Specifically I have to mention that climate change was messed with our winters. While we still get snow, it’s not like it once was and so often the snow melts a few days after it falls. It’s wreaked havoc on snowmobile trails throughout Wisconsin and makes it difficult for cross country skiing as well.
During the spring months, you can expect more rain than the other months. However, peak tourist season hasn’t come yet, so you should have fewer crowds. Additionally, this is when you’ll find wildflowers in bloom, making for some beautiful hiking trails.
Fall is not great for the beach (as it’s too cold to get into Lake Michigan), but has the added advantage of the leaves changing colors. In my opinion, this elevates the hiking and makes the trails that much prettier.
I’ve visited Indiana Dunes twice, once in August and once in October. In August, it was hot and humid. By the end of our morning of hiking, my mom and I felt so gross as we were a covered in a mix of sweat, sunscreen, bug spray, and sand. The sand really sticks to you in these conditions. During my October visit, the weather was pleasant and trees were starting to change colors, making for an ideal hiking experience.
So what do I recommend? I recommend mid October. Many people don’t rank Indiana Dunes high on their list of favorite national parks—which is completely fair—but I do believe that the changing colors helps to make the park just a bit nicer. I’m not saying Indiana Dunes National Park will ever be as epic as places like Yosemite, Glacier, and Rocky Mountain National Parks, but the fall colors do make it prettier.
Final Thoughts
Indiana Dunes National Park doesn’t seem to get the same recognition as some other national parks. That’s ok though because there are still some fun things to do. You just need to have reasonable expectations. And once you have set your expectations appropriately, get out on some of the hiking trails and take in the beauty of Lake Michigan and its dunes.
Continue Your Adventure
Indiana Dunes: Learn how to spend one day at Indiana Dunes, with time at both the national park and the state park.
More in the Midwest: Nearby is the city of Chicago with so many fun things to do including touring the Chicago River. Head east to reach Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio. Head west and reach St. Louis and its famous arch. In Iowa, you can visit Maquoketa Caves State Park for a fun day trip.
US National Parks: Start planning your national park vacation with my US National Park Travel Guide. You’ll find information about each park, photos, itineraries, and everything you need to start planning your trip.