Cowle's Bog Hike
Details
I’m so hyped for this hike! I love all kinds of trails, but this one’s got me buzzing—it’s long, it’s tough, and it’s got what might just be the best climb in the whole Indiana Dunes area. Totally worth it, though, with all the dope scenery and one of the best views you’ll ever peep.
We’re starting at the Bailly/Chellberg Farm parking lot—plenty of space to park, plus extra spots across the road in the field if it’s busy. We’ll cruise past the old-school farmyard (super cute), cross the road, and hit an easy wooded trail that winds behind the Dunes Park headquarters. About a mile in, we’ll cross HW 12 on that giant yellow bridge—you can’t miss it.
Then it’s a quick stroll down Mineral Springs Road to the little Greenbelt parking lot, where we’ll hop on the Greenbelt trail heading west. This part’s chill and flat, running next to lakes and marshes for like a mile. After that, the next mile and a half gets wild, with some serious ups and downs through the woods, ending at this epic overlook with Lake Michigan sparkling almost 200 feet below.
We’ll head down to the wide, grassy lakeshore—straight-up gorgeous. We’ll take a breather there to soak it all in. Definitely bring a snack for this spot!
The big challenge is the 200-foot dune climb to get off the beach—whew, it’s a workout! Once we’re back on top, we’ve got about half a mile of hilly vibes, then it’s a smooth 2.5 miles of mostly flat hiking back to the cars.
Difficulty
This one’s intense, y’all! It’s a 7-mile trek with some steep, tall climbs—probably the hardest in the Dunes.
I’ll show you a shortcut that cuts off a mile and skips the toughest climbs (and the beach). Or, if you just wanna do part of it and head back, no stress—just let me know so we’re not waiting around.
Maps
Check out the routes:
Details
- Dogs are cool, just keep ‘em leashed.
- Bring water and maybe a snack.
- If the weather’s bad, we might slide to Sunday.
- No bathrooms except at the start and end and at the start of the Greenbelt trail, so plan ahead.
Access
Parking’s run by the National Park system. You can use an Indiana Dunes National Park pass or the "America the Beautiful - Interagency Pass." No State Park passes, though.
Contact
Got questions? Hit me up If you can’t make it, please cancel your RSVP so we don’t hold up the group.
Can’t wait to hike with you! Look for me and my purple backpack
Cowle's Bog Hike