Indiana Dunes National Park
Day 1: Indiana Dunes National Park
Cowles Bog Trail
Mount Baldy Trail
Exploring the dunes, lakeshore, and scenic trails
Dunewood Campground – Indiana Dunes National Park.
Hike the Calumet Trail — 9.1 miles total, but you can do as much or as little as you’d like.
Start at the North Mineral Springs Parking Lot for convenient access.
This trail offers scenic views through dunes, wetlands, and wooded areas.
Walk the Cowles Bog Trail which winds through sand dunes and ends at Boaters Beach on Lake Michigan.
On clear days, you can see the Chicago skyline across the lake.
Continue walking along the dunes above the beach for sweeping views of the shoreline.
Climb the Mount Baldy Trail — one of the park’s tallest dunes.
The short, sandy trail leads to panoramic views of Lake Michigan.
The surrounding area features smaller dunes perfect for exploring and relaxing.
Day 2: Indiana Dunes National Park – Partial Day
Wetlands, wildlife, and forested dune ridges
Start the day with a walk on the Great Marsh Trail.
This accessible trail offers prime birdwatching and wetland views.
Keep an eye out for herons, frogs, and other marsh wildlife.
Continue to the Dune Ridge Trail.
A long woodland trail with sandy footing, offering great views of the surrounding dunes.
Choose how far you want to hike based on your time and energy.
