We lived in Indiana for over a decade and somehow never hiked the Dune Succession Trail until we came back to visit after moving 1,800 miles away. Consider this your sign to not make the same mistake. If you’re building out your National Parks bucket list, Indiana Dunes deserves a spot and West Beach’s Dune Succession Trail is the perfect place to start.
What Is the Dune Succession Trail?
The Dune Succession Trail (Loop 1 of the West Beach trails) is our favorite hike in Indiana, mostly because it ends on a beach. It’s a loop just under a mile that takes you through four stages of dune development (ecological succession), from open sand all the way to a full forest canopy, as you make your way along a boardwalk of 250+ stairs winding through the woods.
Don’t let the staircase scare you off. This isn’t one exhausting climb. The trail moves through stages, and if you can handle a normal flight of stairs, you can handle this. Once you clear the first wooded section and reach open sand, the trail hits its highest point. You’ll see Lake Michigan stretching out before you and on a clear day, you can see the Chicago skyline on the horizon.
Trail Stats at a Glance
- Distance: 0.9 miles (Loop 1 only)
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Elevation gain: ~78 feet via boardwalk and stairs
- Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour
- Ends at: West Beach on Lake Michigan
Don’t Skip the Beach
After the hike, you’re dropped right onto West Beach. Spend some time here. The walk back to the parking lot is short, so there’s no reason to rush. Kick off your shoes, wade in, or just sit with a view that you earned. Lifeguards are on duty from Memorial Day through Labor Day if you want to swim.
Indiana Dunes National Park vs. Indiana Dunes State Park: What’s the Difference?
This is one of the most common questions about the area, and it trips up a lot of first-time visitors. West Beach and the Dune Succession Trail belong to Indiana Dunes National Park. Just nearby is the Indiana Dunes State Park, a completely separate entity with its own entry fee. If you have the time, visit both but know going in that you’ll pay twice. It’s worth it.
- National Park: Larger, more wooded, quieter hiking trails, great for nature immersion
- State Park: More beach amenities, a pavilion with a restaurant and a rooftop bar
Tips Before You Go
- The trailhead is located at West Beach, 376 North County Line Road, Portage, IN
- A parking fee applies during peak season (Memorial Day through Labor Day)
- Pets are welcome on leash
- Indiana Dunes is about 45 minutes from Chicago, making it an easy day trip
Whether you’re chasing National Parks, a Midwest local who hasn’t made it out yet, or just looking for a hike that ends with your feet in the sand, this one is for you. Let us know in the comments if you’ve hiked Dunes Succession Trail and check out our other blog posts on National Parks here.
