Indiana Dunes National Park Cowles Bog Trail
Hiking area · Dune Acres ·

Indiana Dunes National Park Cowles Bog Trail

Hiking area · Dune Acres ·

4.7-mile trail through marshes, savannas to Lake Michigan

sandy trail
beach
limited parking
gnats and bugs
bad smell
dog friendly
steep dunes
chicago skyline
Indiana Dunes National Park Cowles Bog Trail by null
Indiana Dunes National Park Cowles Bog Trail by null
Indiana Dunes National Park Cowles Bog Trail by null
Indiana Dunes National Park Cowles Bog Trail by null
Indiana Dunes National Park Cowles Bog Trail by null
Indiana Dunes National Park Cowles Bog Trail by null
Indiana Dunes National Park Cowles Bog Trail by null
Indiana Dunes National Park Cowles Bog Trail by null
Indiana Dunes National Park Cowles Bog Trail by null
Indiana Dunes National Park Cowles Bog Trail by null
Indiana Dunes National Park Cowles Bog Trail by null
Indiana Dunes National Park Cowles Bog Trail by null
Indiana Dunes National Park Cowles Bog Trail by null
Indiana Dunes National Park Cowles Bog Trail by null
Indiana Dunes National Park Cowles Bog Trail by null
Indiana Dunes National Park Cowles Bog Trail by null
Indiana Dunes National Park Cowles Bog Trail by null
Indiana Dunes National Park Cowles Bog Trail by null
Indiana Dunes National Park Cowles Bog Trail by null
Indiana Dunes National Park Cowles Bog Trail by null

Information

Cowles Bog, Chesterton, IN 46304 Get directions

Information

Static Map

Cowles Bog, Chesterton, IN 46304 Get directions

nps.gov

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Last updated

Jan 21, 2026

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The Essential Guide to Indiana Dunes National Park

"This 4.7-mile-long loop was named after Dr. Henry Chandler Cowles, whose early 1900s research here helped establish ecology as a scientific field. The path passes wetlands and savannas before reaching the lake. The final sandy section is strenuous, but the shoreline is worth the effort." - Iona Brannon Iona Brannon Iona Brannon is a journalist with a love for food and travel. Her work has appeared in Afar, Bon Appétit, Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, and Business Insider, among other publications. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

https://www.travelandleisure.com/guide-to-indiana-dunes-national-park-11849341
Indiana Dunes National Park Cowles Bog Trail

吴锐恒（Ruiheng Edbalt W.

Google
Some dunes are steep but in general a nice hike. We spent two hours including staying on the nice beach from where you can see Chicago skyline. It is dog friendly but everyone should be careful about ticks.

AC Mikell (Awesome/AC W.

Google
A true gem in Northwest Indiana! Good 1 a half hike (one way) with a secluded beach at the end, and with a lovely sunset!

Julia B.

Google
This is my favorite hike in Indiana Dunes National Park! I highly recommend this trail!

Vipul S.

Google
Started from the trailhead at around 8:50am on a very chilly Thursday morning in October. Didn't take the shortcut, and it ended up being a 4.7 mile walk with around 450 ft of elevation gain. Was done by 10am. The trailhead parking lot is across the road from the actual trail, and has space for around 15 vehicles. The trail gets less runnable as you get closer to the lake, with deep sand all around. There is some bad smell on the beach as some people have pointed out, likely from the chimneys nearby. If you're short on time and not big on observing swamps and different kinds of trees, you should skip this.

Ashmit

Google
I'm never coming back here again. This trail was not fun at all!!!! There are sooo many Gnats & bugs here that even bug spray doesn't work. Go somewhere else.

Greg E.

Google
This is a nice and easy trail that takes you through some of the forest growth, past a swamp, over some dunes, and to the freshwater beaches of Indiana Dunes. The trail is a mixture of sand and mud and seems to drain well in the rain. There's not a lot of trash or people around, and the beach at the end is pretty quiet as well (we probably saw about 8 people out there). The water is usually pretty cold (it was 70°F when we were there in July), so pucker up before you jump in.

Glorkar F.

Google
We parked across the road and took the bridge to the trailhead next to the tracks. The first bit of trail is less than exciting. Train tracks and muck water on one side with massive power lines connecting to a substation. That said, it's worth it once you reach the wooded section. Pretty hot out so we just did the small loop and walked back on the road.

Marcin J.

Google
Very nice trail. Except steep sandy approach to dunes it is a fairly easy walk. Parking is limited.