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Best trails in Indiana Dunes National Park

Best trails in Indiana Dunes National Park

4.3(19,063 reviews)

·

United States
#36 of 60 national parks

Indiana Dunes National Park stretches along 15 miles of Lake Michigan’s scenic shoreline, offering a diverse natural escape. Explore over 50 miles of trails that wind through rolling sand dunes, bird-filled wetlands, wildflower-rich prairies, and tranquil forests. Perfect for birdwatching, hiking, or simply relaxing by the water, the park provides a rich habitat for hundreds of bird species and native plants. With its unique blend of ecosystems and breathtaking lake views, it’s a haven for nature lovers, photographers, and outdoor adventurers seeking beauty and biodiversity year-round.

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Visitor info

Hours & contact
Passes & fees
Starting at $15
Accessibility
Indiana Dunes National Park general areas
Every day • 6 am–11 pm
West Beach
Every day • 6 am–9 pm
Phone
(219) 395-1882
Entrance pass
Motorcycle

7-Day Park Entrance Fee - Motorcycle

Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from date of purchase)

$20
Purchase pass
Per Person

7-Day Per Person Entrance Fee (Organized, non-commercial groups)

Visitors 16 years of age or older who enter on foot, bicycle, boat, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.

$15
Purchase pass
Private Vehicle

7-Day Park Entrance Fee - Family-Size Vehicle

Per private family-sized vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from date of purchase).

$25
Purchase pass
Annual pass
Park

Indiana Dunes National Park Annual Pass

This pass provides entry for the pass owner(s) and passengers in a family-sized vehicle. This pass only works at the Indiana Dunes National Park and is not accepted at the Indiana Dunes State Park.

Passes can be purchased from the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, seasonally at the West Beach kiosk, or online at recreation.gov.

$45
Purchase pass
All U.S. national parks

Join millions of people who enjoy our National Parks with the "America the Beautiful" National Park & Federal Recreational Lands Pass, otherwise known as the Interagency Annual Pass. The pass is valid for a year's worth of visits from the month of purchase at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country.

$80
Purchase pass
2025 Fee-free days

No entrance pass required on these days:

Monday, January 20 — Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Saturday, April 19 — First day of National Park Week
Thursday, June 19 — Juneteenth National Independence Day
Monday, August 4 — Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
Saturday, September 27 — National Public Lands Day
Tuesday, November 11 — Veterans Day

Overview

The Interagency Access Pass is accepted here.

The Indiana Dunes National Park Visitor Center and Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and have wheelchair accessible restrooms. Orientation films include closed captioning.

Loaner wheelchairs (Freedom Trax wheelchair, Zoom Chair, GRIT Freedom Chair, and a youth Hippocampe Blue Blazer wheelchair), cycles (hand tricycle, dual tandem bike, and a two-seated tandem bicycle), and assistive listening devices are available. A beach wheelchair is available from the lifeguards at West Beach.

Many ranger-led programs are wheelchair accessible, and assistive listening devices and ASL interpreters are available by reservation. Please call (219)-395-1821 in advance to reserve equipment.

Additional information about accessibility at Indiana Dunes National Park can be found on their website: https://www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm.

Facilities

The Indiana Dunes National Park Visitor Center and Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and have wheelchair accessible restrooms. Orientation films include closed captioning.

The West Beach, Bailly Chellberg, Tremont, Glenwood Dunes, Lake View Beach, and Tolleston Dunes Overlook Picnic Areas are wheelchair accessible with packed, level paths and surfaces.

Camping

Dunewood Campground has individual wheelchair accessible camping sites (#15, 30, 41, and 55).

Service animals

Service animals must be on-leash throughout the park.

Trail reviews for Indiana Dunes National Park

19,748 trailgoers Busiest in July
Apr 3, 2025Hiking
Easy to parkNot crowdedDog-friendlyGreat conditionsGreat views

Paul H Douglas trail. Indiana Dunes National Park. Hike through black oak savanna to Lake Michigan. Wanted to find out more but education center closed due to staffing cuts by you know who

Paul H. Douglas (Miller Woods) Trail
Apr 2, 2025Hiking
Easy to parkNot crowdedBathrooms availableDog-friendlyGreat conditionsGreat views

Indiana Dunes National Park. Mt Baldy

Difficulty: Moderate
Mount Baldy Beach Trail
Aug 23, 2024Hiking
Easy to parkNot crowdedGreat conditionsGreat views

2 hikes at Indiana Dunes National Park. Very nice! Beautiful park.

Great Marsh Trail
Jun 15, 2025Hiking
Not crowdedGreat conditionsGreat views

This trail topped my expectations. Not crowded, tons of flowers, and very unique compared to other national park trails I have done. We saw tons of birds, including a Great Egret at the pond. The beach on this trail is very quaint compared to some of the other more popular beaches on Lake Michigan, but is just as beautiful. If you only had time for one trail at Indiana Dunes, this is the one I would recommend!

Conditions: Bugs
Parking: Entry fee, Free, Medium lot
Difficulty: Moderate
Paul H. Douglas (Miller Woods) Trail
Jun 5, 2025Hiking

Great trail. My favorite in the Indiana Dunes. There are both long & short options and the opportunity to swim in Lake Michigan.

Cowles Bog Trail
Nov 13, 2024Hiking
Not crowdedGreat conditions

Finished my day at Indiana Dunes

Conditions: No bugs, Dry ground
West Beach 3-Loop Trail
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Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to hike in Indiana Dunes National Park?

According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Indiana Dunes National Park is West Beach - Dune Succession Trail, which has a 4.5 star rating from 3,142 reviews. This trail is 1.0 mi long with an elevation gain of 75 ft.

What is the longest trail in Indiana Dunes National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Indiana Dunes National Park is Cowles Bog Indiana Dunes Trail 7, 10, 9, 8. This trail is estimated to be 14.9 mi long.

How many trails are in Indiana Dunes National Park?

There are 29 trails in Indiana Dunes National Park. These trails have an average 4.3-star rating from 19,063 AllTrails community reviews.

Which trail has the most elevation gain in Indiana Dunes National Park?

If you're looking for elevation gain, Indiana Dunes National Park has you covered. Cowles Bog Indiana Dunes Trail 7, 10, 9, 8 boasts the most elevation gain with 905 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Big Blowout Trail to Trail 9 and Trail 10, which will get you 269 ft of elevation gain.

Are there camping trails available in Indiana Dunes National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 2 camping trails in Indiana Dunes National Park and the most popular is Calumet Trail with an average 3.8 star rating from 69 community reviews.

Are there running trails available in Indiana Dunes National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 10 running trails in Indiana Dunes National Park and the most popular is Cowles Bog Trail with an average 4.5 star rating from 3,553 community reviews.

Are there biking trails available in Indiana Dunes National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 2 biking trails in Indiana Dunes National Park and the most popular is Calumet Trail with an average 3.8 star rating from 69 community reviews.

What are the best summer hikes in Indiana Dunes National Park?

What are the best fall hikes in Indiana Dunes National Park?

What are the best winter hikes in Indiana Dunes National Park?

What are the best spring hikes in Indiana Dunes National Park?

Are there any trails with scenic mountain peak views in Indiana Dunes National Park?

Yes, there are 10 trails with scenic mountain peak views in Indiana Dunes National Park, including West Beach - Dune Succession Trail, Cowles Bog Trail, West Beach 3-Loop Trail, Bally Beach via Cowles Bog Trail, and Mount Baldy Beach Trail.

Are there any trails with lagoons in Indiana Dunes National Park?

Yes, there is one trail with a lagoon in Indiana Dunes National Park: Paul H. Douglas (Miller Woods) Trail.

Are there any trails with beaches in Indiana Dunes National Park?

Are there any trails with picnic areas in Indiana Dunes National Park?

Yes, there is one trail with a picnic area in Indiana Dunes National Park: West Beach 3-Loop Trail.

Are there any trails with lakes in Indiana Dunes National Park?

Are there any trails with historical ruins in Indiana Dunes National Park?

Yes, there are 2 trails with historical ruins in Indiana Dunes National Park, including Calumet Trail and Dune Park Train Station to Dunewood Campground.

Are there any trails with scenic viewpoints in Indiana Dunes National Park?

Yes, there are 3 trails with scenic viewpoints in Indiana Dunes National Park, including Great Marsh Trail, Great Marsh Overlook, and Tolleston Dunes Outlook Trail.

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