Name: Dune Succession Trail
Rating: 4.5

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Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Lake · Swimming · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Family Friendly Located close to a swimming beach with incredible views of Lake Michigan from the top of the dune.

Parking and access open daily 8:00 am to 10:00 pm Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend and 8:00 am to 30 minutes after sunset the remainder of the year. There is a $6 per car expanded amenity parking fee collected from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. No bicycles or motorized vehicles allowed on the trail. Stay on the trail to protect fragile dunes and yourself. Pets are permitted on a leash (6 or shorter) everywhere except for the lifeguarded swimming area.

Description

The Dune Succession Trail (Loop 1) at West Beach highlights the four stages of dune development within its one-mile length. The actual trail is only ~0.6 miles long, but the loop totals one mile when the necessary jaunts along the road and West Beach Trail are factored in. From the parking lot, follow the road north, toward the lake and look for the trail to pick up to the west of the bathhouse.

This scenic, but strenuous, trail includes a climb up 250 stairs for a spectacular view of Lake Michigan and Chicago. Support the restoration effort in the fragile dunes and ponds, or pannes, by remaining on designated trails.

The main trail is not accessible to wheelchairs. However, there is a paved road from the parking lot to the bathhouse that offers views of Lake Michigan that is accessible to wheelchairs. The main parking lot has spots for 596 cars and is open year round.

There are restroom facilities and potable water available year round in the West Beach Contact Station. Seasonal showers, lockers and a lifeguarded beach are available from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

Indiana Dunes National Park (formerly national lakeshore) was established to preserve portions of the Indiana Dunes and other areas of scenic, scientific, historic and recreational value. Up to two million annual visitors enjoy the park's 15,000 acres of wetlands, prairies, sand dunes, oak savannas, forests, and historic sites. The park's 15 miles of beaches hug the southern shore of Lake Michigan from Gary, IN, to Michigan City, IN. For more information, visit nps.gov/indu/index.htm or facebook.com/IndianaDunesNPS.