Horseback Riding at Indiana Dunes

Horseback Riding at Glenwood Dunes Trail

Jeff Manuszak

Glenwood Dunes Trails are the national park's only equestrian trails. Horseback riding is permitted on the specified portion of the Glenwood Dunes Trails from March 16 to December 14. However, if there is sufficient snow cover for cross-country skiing (3 inches or more) before December 15 or after March 15, the trail will remain closed to horseback riding. Horses are prohibited in the winter to prevent accidents with cross-country skiers on the trail.

The parking lot is large enough for horse trailers. In the parking lot and picnic area, all horse excrement must be bagged, removed from the area and disposed of appropriately. There is no horse rental concession. Horses are prohibited on all roads.

Click here for detailed information on the Glenwood Dunes Trails and specific information on horseback riding.

Getting There

Trailhead Parking Lot
1475 North Brummitt Road, Chesterton, IN 46304

Trailhead GPS Coordinates
41.648245, -87.015382 (Decimal Degrees)

Details

Activity

Horseback Riding

Enjoy an equestrian ride through ancient dune formations on the Glenwood Dunes Trails system. These trails are the only horseback trails and you must bring your own horse. The trail is host to almost 15 miles of interconnected loops. Be sure to bring a map as there are 13 junctions interconnecting the loops. 

Pets Allowed

No

Pets are not allowed on the equestrian loops on the Glenwood Dunes Trail. 

Activity Fee

Yes

See our Fees and Passes page for more details.

Location

Glenwood Dunes Trail

This featured loop hike is equestrian friendly and also a favorite of cross-country skiers. Park at the Glenwood Dunes parking lot located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 20 and Brummitt Road. Bring a trail map as the route has too many trail junctions and cut-offs to fully describe here. From the trailhead, hike in a counter-clockwise direction and take care when crossing roads. At the east end of the loop, take the short cut-off to avoid the Calumet Dunes Paved Trail (Note that it is a short hike to the Calumet Dunes parking lot if restroom or potable water is desired). After the cut-off, follow the trail west along U.S. Highway 12 before heading south the western-most point of the trail. Do not take the Glenwood Dunes Extension Trail. Instead, follow the loop trail back to the north and then east to the parking lot.

Reservations

Yes

See our Fees and Passes page for details.
Fees & Passes - Indiana Dunes National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Horseback riding is prohibited in the winter to allow for the cross-country skiers. 

Time of Day

Day, Dawn, Dusk

Accessibility Information

There are covered picnic shelters at the Glenwood Dunes parking lot. The shelters and restroom are wheelchair accessible.