1966 Hiking Challenge: Little Calumet River Trail

Background Photo by Joseph Gruzalski

The Little Calumet River, Mnoké Prairie, Bailly Homestead, Chellberg Farm and Bailly Cemetery trail system reveals the rich natural diversity that has drawn people to this area for over 10,000 years. Hike through woodlands dominated by maple, beech, basswood and oak trees. Follow a stretch of the Little Calumet River, once a critical transportation route for early regional travelers; explore Mnoké Prairie for a glimmer of the vast stretches of pre-settlement grasslands. Unlike much of the park, the trail winds through clay-rich deposits left by the Wisconsin continental ice sheet. Pass through ravine topography carved out by glacial meltwaters before stumbling upon the roughly 200 year old Bailly family burying ground.

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 Bailly-Chellberg parking lot and was scheduled for Saturday, August 31st 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 Bailly Homestead, Chellberg Farm, Little Calumet River and Mnoké Prairie 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
Bailly-Chellberg Lot: North of U.S. Highway 20 on Mineral Springs Road, Porter, IN 46304

Parking Lot Coordinates
Bailly-Chellberg Lot: 41.624679, -87.089502 (Decimal Degrees)

Need to Know

• Hours – Open daily from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm.
• Passes are required.
• Hike Length: 4.0 miles
• Hike Time – 2.0 hours
• Difficulty – Easy to moderate with some change in elevation.
• Trail Surface – Packed soil with wood chips in places; several sets of stairs. Trail can be very wet and muddy.
• Facilites – Year-round restrooms and potable water at the parking lot.
• 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.

 

Little Calumet River Trail 1966 Hiking Challenge Map

NPS

Hike the exterior of the entire trail system, including the cemetery.