Name: Pinhook Upland Trail
Rating: 3.0

“This trail highlights a rich beech and maple forest growing on top of a glacial moraine.”

— Rafi Wilkinson

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Open daily from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm. No bicycles or motorized vehicles allowed. Stay on the trail to protect wildlife and yourself. Pets are permitted on a leash (6' or shorter).

Overview

The Pinhook Upland Trail highlights a rich beech and maple forest growing on top of a glacial moraine. The Pinhook Bog is visible from parts of the trail.

Need to Know

Free parking and access. There is a seasonal porta-potty from early May through early November, but no potable water source. This trail is not wheelchair accessible. Mosquitoes can be abundant along this trail during the summer. Use insect repellent, wear long sleeves, and tuck long pants into socks to avoid ticks and poison ivy.

Please note that the Pinhook Bog Trail has restricted access. Information on the bog trail can be found on the Pinhook Bog Trail page.

Description

The Pinhook area features two very different habitats. The Upland Trail highlights a rich beech and maple forest growing on top of a glacial moraine formed about 15,000 years ago. The Pinhook Bog Trail leads to a depression in the moraine created when a large piece of ice broke off the melting glacier.

The Upland Trail starts from the east end of the parking lot. The trail is lollipop shaped and easy to follow. The recommend route is to run the loop in a clockwise direction. The trail rolls though the glacial moraine with a packed dirt surface.

History & Background

Indiana Dunes National Park (formerly national lakeshore) was established to preserve portions of the Indiana Dunes and other areas of scenic, scientific, historic and recreational value. Up to two million annual visitors enjoy the park's 15,000 acres of wetlands, prairies, sand dunes, oak savannas, forests, and historic sites. The park's 15 miles of beaches hug the southern shore of Lake Michigan from Gary, IN, to Michigan City, IN. For more information, visit nps.gov/indu/index.htm or facebook.com/IndianaDunesNPS.