Indiana Dunes State Park Hike

Start time is 9:00 AM Central Time. We will be taking a vigorous hike on the main Dunes trail. Its about a three and a half mile hike. We will be going through woods and up several dunes, so this is not an easy hike. Moderate difficulty. We hope to see the skyline of Chicago from atop the Dunes Ridge Trail. Ed Max will be our leader on this hike. Hes an experienced hike leader for Sierra Club and has more than 2,500 observations on iNaturalist.

Cost: When you come into the Park, the State Park that is, not the National Park, you will come to a booth. For out of state license plates its $12.00 per car. For Indiana plates its $9.00 per car.

Hikers must be 13 years old or older. Hikers between 13 and 18 must have an adult sign the waiver. Limit 15 guests.

Register and sign the waiver on this page:
https://act.sierraclub.org/events/details?formcampaignid=7013q000001ohpeAAA
Please include an emergency contact number. Please let us know if you have any health conditions that might affect you on the hike. It helps to be prepared and its no trouble for us.

Ticks are not as great a concern on this site, as we will be walking on a wide sandy trail. Precautions are always a good idea though, and it will be tick season. Bring insect repellant that contains the ingredient, deet. Also, if it's sunny, bring sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat. In rain, wear a poncho. Bring water, especially if it's hot.

Its pretty easy to get to the State Park. Just take I-80/I-94 or the Indiana Toll Road to Hwy 49 and go north. Stop at the booth. It may be a busy day at the State Park, as other programs may be going on. Follow the signs back to the Nature Center parking lot. Well be there. If theres no parking in the Nature Center parking lot, just to the southeast at the North Orchard Shelter, there may be more parking. Restrooms are at the Nature Center.