The Dune Succession Trail is a fantastic one-mile loop that transitions from bare dunes to oak woodlands, with 250 stairs leading to stunning views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. Climbing the stairs to the top can be relatively challenging for some, but the incredible vistas make it well worth the trek!

A🚶🏽‍♂️L🚴🏼‍♂️E🏃🏽‍♂️X

November 4, 2023

Hiking

The Dune Succession Trail (Loop 1) highlights the four stages of dune development within its one-mile length. 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 270 stairs for a spectacular view of Lake Michigan and Chicago. Support the restoration effort in the fragile dunes and ponds by remaining on designated trails. Spot the skyline of Chicago 28 miles across Lake Michigan from the lookout point!
nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/wb16.htm

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Routes here

Best routes to Dunes Succession Trail

4.8

(4)

hikers

1. West Beach 3-Loop Trail — Indiana Dunes National Park

5.58km

01:27

30m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Easy

4.4

(5)

hikers

2. Dunes Succession Trail – Dune Trail loop from Indiana Dunes National Park

2.59km

00:41

20m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Easy

hikers

3. Dunes Succession Trail loop from Ogden Dunes

3.93km

01:01

20m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Easy

Details

Informations

Distance 106 m

Uphill 0 m

Downhill 0 m

Weather

Today

Wednesday 11 February

3°C

-3°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 10.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See routes here

Take Me There

Add komoot as a preferred source in your Google results

Add now

Location: Portage, Porter County, Indiana, United States

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Bally Beach

Little Calumet River Trail

Long Lake Trail

Erie-Lackawanna Rail-Trail

Beach Trail, Indiana Dunes State Park

Cowles Bog National Natural Landmark

Mount Tom Viewpoint

Calumet Trail

Mnoké Prairie

Dune Trail

Lake Street Beach

Boardwalk Through the Wetlands

Dunes Succession Trail

1. West Beach 3-Loop Trail — Indiana Dunes National Park

2. Dunes Succession Trail – Dune Trail loop from Indiana Dunes National Park

3. Dunes Succession Trail loop from Ogden Dunes

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Sign up or log in to keep exploring this route

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️