Place

Hobart Prairie Grove Trail (East)

Ranger and visitors ride down the wide paved bike path.
Ranger and visitors ride down the wide, paved bike path.

NPS Photo / K. George

Hobart Prairie Grove Trails

Hobart Prairie Grove consists of forested ravines and a portion of scenic Lake George, which is part of the Deep River. The Hobart Woodland trail offers views of forest ravines and has an overlook of Lake George. The Oak Savannah rail trail runs through the Hobart Prairie Grove and is a great place for biking, pushing a stroller or just hiking to relax and improve your health.

The Hobart Prairie Grove preserves several habitats including wetlands, prairie remnants, white oak flatlands, and a rare bur oak savanna. At about 300 acres in size, it contains 343 native plants and an abundance of wildlife. This area is also noteworthy because of a unique soil that is made up of at least 70 percent silt and clay with the smaller portions of sand. This type of soil is one of the reasons for the outstanding diversity of life here at Hobart Prairie Grove. This very special place was added to the National Park System as part of a 1992 expansion of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore (renamed the Indiana Dunes National Park in 2019).

The Indiana Dunes National Park owns two miles of the almost nine mile Oak Savannah trail that extends from Hobart to the east and Griffith to the west. The trail uses the corridor of the former Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railroad. In Hobart, the trail connects with the Prairie Duneland rail trail, which runs all the way to Chesterton and Porter.

Trail Features: Fall Colors, Views, Lake, River, Wildlife

Hobart Woodland Trail

2.2 miles, 40 feet of elevation gain, 1% average grade, 3% maximum grade
Hike time: 1 hour

This featured hike is an out and back trail. Start from the Robinson Lake Park parking lot off of South Liverpool Road. Follow the Oak Savannah Bike Trail east for just under a half mile. Look for the Hobart Woodland trailhead on the south side of the bike trail just before the woods start. There is a foot bridge and map kiosk. The packed dirt double-track trail will head south following the wood line for a short distance before entering the woods. The trail makes its way through rare bur oak savanna to Lake George. This a small loop offering scenic views of the lake.

Oak Savannah Bike Trail

4 miles, 30 feet of elevation gain, 0% average grade, 3% maximum grade
Hike time: 2 hours

This featured hike is an out and back on the bike trail. The trail is paved and well marked. The hike can be started from either end but the preferred start is from the Robinson Lake parking lot off of South Liverpool Road. Follow the rail trail to the east. Turn around at Wisconsin Street and follow the trail west back to the parking lot. The trail crosses several ravines and scenic Lake George, part of the Deep River.

Getting There


Trailhead Parking Lot
Alternate Street Parking (east end): 851 South Wisconsin Street, Hobart, IN 46342

Trailhead GPS Coordinates
Alternate (east): 41.523683, -87.269201 (Decimal Degrees)

Need to Know

Hours & Information
  • Hours – Open daily from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm.
  • Hike Length – 2.2 miles.
  • Hike Time – 1.5 hours.
  • Difficulty – Easy with no change in elevation.
  • Trail Surface – Packed dirt and clay. Trail can be very wet and muddy.
  • Facilities – No restrooms or potable water.
  • Pets – Permitted on a leash (6' or shorter).
  • Prohibited – Littering, hunting, and removing plants.
  • Prohibited – ATVs and other motorized vehicles.
  • Bicycles are prohibited on the Hobart Woodland Trail.
  • Bicycles are permitted on the Oak Savannah Bike Trail.
  • The parking lot is paved and at Robinson Lake Park on South Liverpool Road.
Safety
  • Please stay on the trail and respect closed area signs. Going off trail damages fragile habitat.
  • Wear adequate footwear as the trail can be muddy and slippery in sections.
  • Ticks are present year-round. Take precautionary measures to prevent bites.
  • Poison ivy can be present on the edges of the trail.
  • Be prepared for changing weather conditions.
  • In case of an emergency or to report a crime, call 1-800-PARK-TIP.
Accessibility
  • The Hobart Woodland Trail is not wheelchair accessible.The Oak Savannah Bike Trail is paved and wheelchair accessible.

Trail Map

View a detailed map of the Hobart Woodland trail. Access from the Oak Savannah trail.

All hiking trail maps of the Indiana Dunes National Park are available online on our website or in paper at the trailhead kiosk or the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center.
 

Nearby Hikes

West Beach
Paul H. Douglas (Miller Woods)
Tolleston Dunes

Indiana Dunes National Park

Tags

Last updated: October 17, 2023