Feeling a little down, or maybe a little “blah” lately? We have the perfect thing: how about an amazing nature hike in Indiana to get your mind off of real life for a while? Amazingly, you have an impressive number of options easily within the range of hundreds of trails, and some are more remarkable than others (though we do love them all). This incredible scenic hiking trail in Indiana is short, sweet, and proof that the Hoosier State is significantly more interesting and diverse than you could ever imagine. Lace up those hiking boots and let’s go – there are adventures to be had.
The Dune Ridge Trail is nestled within Indiana Dunes National Park, and it’s a remarkable trek not just for its natural beauty but also its ecological value.
Michael Gaughan/AllTrails Along the way you’ll encounter numerous different biomes and habitats, making this hike one of the top five most biologically diverse trails in the entire country.
Encounter wetlands, woods, forested dunes, and more.
Gwendolyn Furr/AllTrails If you ever find yourself kind of bored with the status quo of living in the Midwest, it’s trails like this one that really bring back that zest for life.
It’s not even very long - under one mile (0.7 miles) - and as a result you can take your time wandering around and admiring all the diverse biology around here.
Julia Lemley/AllTrails You’ll encounter truly amazing views, fascinating ecosystems, and wildlife you won’t find anywhere else in the state, and much more.
The trail is rated as easy, though you’ll definitely want to make sure you’re wearing appropriate footwear for an occasionally-sandy hike.
Robin Pedersen/AllTrails The trail is quite popular, and open year-round, so we recommend showing up early and showing up often if you’d like to witness the changing seasons while you’re here.
A few very important things to remember:
Jim MacDonald/AllTrails Please stick to designated and marked trails. The grasses on the dunes can be quite fragile, and it’s very, very likely that they will die if stepped on. Please be sure to carefully respect this amazing area, and don’t forget to leave no trace!
If you ask us, we think the best time of year to do this hike is… well… any time.
Matt Stickle/AllTrails Each season brings with it a charm and beauty that the other seasons do not, and we cannot get enough of this incredibly scenic hike in Indiana.
For more information about this short, simple, and easy hike through some of the most diverse landscapes in the country, be sure to visit the official Indiana Dunes National Park website about the trail.
Michael Gaughan/AllTrails
Along the way you’ll encounter numerous different biomes and habitats, making this hike one of the top five most biologically diverse trails in the entire country.
Gwendolyn Furr/AllTrails
If you ever find yourself kind of bored with the status quo of living in the Midwest, it’s trails like this one that really bring back that zest for life.
Julia Lemley/AllTrails
You’ll encounter truly amazing views, fascinating ecosystems, and wildlife you won’t find anywhere else in the state, and much more.
Robin Pedersen/AllTrails
The trail is quite popular, and open year-round, so we recommend showing up early and showing up often if you’d like to witness the changing seasons while you’re here.
Jim MacDonald/AllTrails
Please stick to designated and marked trails. The grasses on the dunes can be quite fragile, and it’s very, very likely that they will die if stepped on. Please be sure to carefully respect this amazing area, and don’t forget to leave no trace!
Matt Stickle/AllTrails
Each season brings with it a charm and beauty that the other seasons do not, and we cannot get enough of this incredibly scenic hike in Indiana.
Did you fall in love with this scenic hiking trail in Indiana? Do you crave more? Check out some of the best hikes in Indiana that are under five miles long.
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Address: Dune Ridge Trail, Beverly Shores, IN 46304, USA
