1966 Hiking Challenge: Glenwood Dunes Extension Trail

The Glenwood Dunes Trail System brings visitors through a rich landscape of woods and wetlands over 12,000 years old. Red-shouldered hawks patrol the canopy as wild turkeys scour the ground for nuts, berries, and invertebrates. The Glenwood Dunes Extension Trail crosses over Dunes Creek as it meanders north to Lake Michigan.

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 Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center parking lot and was scheduled for Saturday, June 22nd 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 Glenwood Dunes Trails to access general information about this trail.

• 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

Parking Lot Address
Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center: 1215 IN-49, Porter, IN 46304

Parking Lot Coordinates
41.633349, -87.053762 (Decimal Degrees)

Need to Know

• Hours – Open daily from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm. The Indiana Dunes Visitor Center is open daily from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend through the Monday of Labor Day weekend. The center is open daily from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm for the remainder of the year.
• Passes are required.
• Hike Length: ~3.8 miles (out-and-back distance)
  • Dunes-Kankakee Trail to County Road 50 East to Glenwood Dunes Extension Trailhead ~0.60 miles
  • Glenwood Dunes Extension Trail – 1.3 miles
• Hike Time – 2.5 hours
• Difficulty – Easy to moderate with some change in elevation.
• Trail Surface – First section is paved. Next section is packed dirt with some sections of sand, boardwalk, and stairs.
• Facilities – Year-round restrooms and potable water at Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center.
• Pets – Permitted on a leash (6' or shorter).
• Prohibited – Littering and hunting.
• Prohibited – Bicycles and motorized vehicles.
• Prohibited – Removing plants, rocks, shells, and fossils.
• Prohibited – Glass and fires.

 

Start at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center parking lot and begin walking north on the Dunes Kankakee Trail. After crossing the bridge, walk across the Hwy 20 junction, and instead of continuing north on trail, turn right and walk towards Main St / County Rd 50 East. Once there, turn left and walk north on Main Street to the start of the trail. Hike east past Tremont and Hadenfelt to the junction with main Glenwood Dunes trail system. Return back on the same trail.