The 3 Dune Challenge at Indiana Dunes

Indiana is making great strides to bringing in more hikers to their state parks. Several parks have a hiking challenge specific to that park that you can complete.

• Pokagon State Park: Hell’s Pointe Challenge
• Clifty Falls State Park: Four Falls Challenge
• Indiana Dunes State Park: 3 Dunes Challenge
• Shades State Park: 6 Ravine Challenge
• Turkey Run State Park: 5 Mile Challenge

The challenge being featured on this post is The 3 Dune Challenge at Indiana Dunes State Park. This park is located in the northern part of the state right on Lake Michigan. Indiana Dunes became a state park in 1925. Portions of the Indiana Dunes also became a National Park on February 15th, 2019. However, the state park did not become the National Park, so there are now two separate destinations. The state park is more inland with small portions of shoreline, while the national park is what runs along the most of the shoreline.

The Challenge:

The challenge is to hike the 1.5 mile loop and summit all 3 dunes listed on the map. Once you reach each of the spots you will need to take a photo/selfie with the signs to show you made the trek. The trails are very well marked with the 3 dune sign which makes it super easy to navigate. Don’t let the short 1.5 mile distance fool you. This is not a hike that you will be able to fly through. Climbing the dunes will test your leg and lung strength.

The Hike:

This trail took us a little over an hour to complete. So give yourself around one to two hours to complete this challenge. It starts and ends at the nature center. Following along trail 8 will take you to Mt. Jackson Dune first. This looks daunting, but taking small steps will help you get up to the top a lot faster. The next dune to to summit is Mt. Holden which is a little steeper in grade, but you are rewarded with a slight view of Lake Michigan. The last dune is Mt. Tom and this includes all stairs to the top which is the easiest part once you have been climbing sand dunes. Once at the top of Mt. Tom you get a clearer view of Lake Michigan and this is always where people tend to stall and take photos and rest. Once you descend down the stairs it looks like you are hitting the parking lot, however that is the campground. Follow the signs and take the road and sidewalk through the campground back towards the nature center parking lot to your car. Congrats you have now completed The 3 Dune Challenge!

The Reward:

Similar to the other Indiana State Park challenges you are rewarded with a sticker (free of charge). One would think you could walk into the nature center located at the trailhead to pick up your stickers. However you will have to leave the park and head towards the National Park Visitor Center to receive your free sticker. The visitor center also offers shirts and other souvenir items for purchase to show that you completed The 3 Dune Challenge. While this can be a little confusing and frustrating it’s worth stopping by the National Park Visitor center whether you complete the challenge or not.

For More Information visit the Official Indiana Dunes Website Here