Name: Calumet Dunes Paved Trail
Rating: 4.3

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Features Fall Colors · Wildlife

Free parking and access. Parking lot and trails are open daily from 6:00 am to 11 pm. No bicycles or motorized vehicles allowed. Stay on the trail to protect the wildlife and yourself. Pets permitted on a leash (6 or shorter) on the paved trail only. No pets are allowed on the connecting Glenwood Dunes trail system. There are year round restrooms and potable water sources.

Description

This short, wheelchair accessible, paved trail features the Calumet Dunes ridge that formed at what once was the edge of the lake over 6,000 years ago. Ancient Lake Chicago, precursor to Lake Michigan, was once much larger. The lake slowly receded forming three major parallel dune ridges: Glenwood (640' above sea level), Calumet (620' above sea level) and Tolleston (605' above sea level). The current lake level is approximately 580' above sea level. U.S. Highway 12 follows the high ground of the Tolleston Dunes ridge in this area, just north of the trail.

The paved parking lot holds 35 cars. It is located at the intersection U.S. Highway 12 and Kemil Road (East State Park Road 300E). This is the location of the old visitor center. Use insect repellent, wear long sleeves, and tuck long pants into socks to avoid ticks and poison ivy.