Dune Ridge @ Indiana Dunes National Park

The Dune Ridge Trail offers great views of the extensive wetlands and forests south of this tall, forested dune. The different habitats you'll see along the trail help make Indiana Dunes National Park one of the top five most biologically diverse of all the national parks.

Trail Features: Overlook, Birding, Fall Colors, Wildflowers and Wildlife
Must See Gems: Great Marsh Overlook, Kemil Beach

Getting There

Dune Ridge Trailhead and Kemil Beach Parking Lot

North of U.S. Highway 12 on East State Park Road (300E), Beverly Shores, IN 46301.

Note: East State Park Road is called Kemil Road to the south of U.S. Highway 12.

Trailhead GPS Coordinates

41.677357, -87.008950 (Decimal Degrees)

Need to Know
Hours & Information

• Hours – Open daily from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm.
• Passes are required.
• Trail Length – 0.7 miles. 73 feet of elevation gain, 11% maximum grade.
• Hike Time – 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Difficulty – Moderate with some steep slopes in loose sand.
• Trail Surface – Mixture of loose sand and packed dirt.
• Facilities – Year-round restrooms and potable water.
• Pets – Permitted on a leash (6' or shorter).
• Prohibited – Bicycles and motorized vehicles.
• Prohibited – Littering, hunting, and removing plants.
• Parking lot is paved and will fill up quickly on summer weekends.
• Visit the Kemil Beach page for information on swimming and other beach activities.

Safety

• Please stay on the trail and respect closed area signs. Going off trail damages fragile habitat.
• Ticks are present year-round. Take precautionary measures to prevent bites.
• Poison ivy can be present on the edges of the trail.
• Be prepared for changing weather conditions.
• In case of an emergency or to report a crime, call 1-800-PARK-TIP.

Accessibility

• Trails are not wheelchair accessible. Restrooms are accessible.

Photo from Indiana Dunes National Park