1966 Hiking Challenge: Glenwood Dunes

Explore habitats that have been maturing since Lake Michigan formed them over 12,000 years ago. The forested dunes and hidden wetlands of the Glenwood Dunes Trail represent the oldest shoreline in the park. Marvel at the diversity of fungal and invertebrate decomposers recycling nutrients below the trees. Let the spicy aroma of leaves tickle your nose as a six-spotted tiger beetle flaunts its emerald armor. Catch the white flash of a retreating deer or the pale glow of a ghost pipe emerging from the leaf litter. Red-shouldered hawks patrol the canopy as wild turkeys scour the ground for nuts, berries and bugs.

The 1966 Hiking Challenge is comprised of 19 hikes that cover 66 miles of trail in the park- celebrating the park’s founding in 1966. The ranger-led hike for this trail met at the Glenwood Dunes Trail parking lot and was scheduled for Saturday, June 29th at 8:00 AM. Do not worry if you cannot make each of the 19 ranger-led hikes. A check-off sheet will be available at the Visitor Center or the the Paul H. Douglas Center for those who complete the hikes on their own.

REMINDER: Information found on this page is specific to the 1966 Hiking Challenge

• Please visit the Glenwood Dunes Trails to access general information about these trails

• Please visit Hiking at Indiana Dunes National Park for general information and maps of all of the park's hiking trails

BE PREPARED

• Please visit Trail Safety for tips and reminders to ensure your adventure is both safe and enjoyable
• Ranger-led hikes occur rain or shine and are only canceled in inclement weather such as high winds or thunderstorms when conditions are unsafe

Getting There

Trailhead Parking Lots
Glenwood Dunes Lot (main): 1475 North Brummitt Road, Chesterton, IN 46304

Trailhead GPS Coordinates
Main: 41.648245, -87.015382 (Decimal Degrees)

Need to Know

• Hours – Open daily from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm
• Passes are required.
• Hike Length – 7.1 miles (includes the Calumet Dunes Trail)
• Hike Time – 4 hours
• Difficulty – Moderate due to hike length and some change in elevation
• Trail Surface – Packed dirt with some sections of sand or boardwalk
• Facilities – Year-round restrooms and potable water available at the Glenwood Dunes parking lot
• Pets – Prohibited on this hike as it includes the equestrian trail
• Prohibited – Littering and hunting
• Prohibited – Bicycles and motorized vehicles
• Prohibited – Removing plants, rocks, shells, and fossils
• Prohibited – Glass and fires on the beach
• Parking lot is paved and large enough for RVs and buses

 

Start at the horse lot on US-20. Hike the outer loop of the trails all the way to the USGS building and then to the farthest point at the extension junction.