The Three Dunes Challenge: Climbing High Above Lake Michigan
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I recommend also visiting Indiana Dunes State Park, not to be confused with the national park, which was transformed from a national lakeshore in the 60’s to a national park in 2019 while vacationing to this region. Both parks share the same shoreline but offer different pros with the state park being a bit cheaper and home to the better beach. The Three Dunes Challenge is the big draw which makes the state park better in my opinion.
Being a Chicago native, I have visited the beautiful beaches numerous times during my childhood. Coming back as an adult, I was even more impressed, especially with the hiking system. I have been interested in hiking ever since living in Arizona, where I got to explore some of the nation’s best national and state parks.
Last summer on a 4th of July roadtrip from Cleveland to Chicago, we took a quick detour here and hiked Devil’s Slide – one of the park’s steeper dunes. In the visitor center, I saw a sign advertising the Three Dunes Challenge. We were limited on time, but I just knew that I had to come back and become “a dune conqueror.” I love completing fitness challenges so a return visit was in order.
The challenge: 3 dunes, 1 hike
On this 1.5 mile long challenge, you will climb the 3 highest dunes in the park. Honestly, it’s a big challenge that I would not recommend unless you are regular gym goer/hiker. Not only are the 3 hills pretty steep, but trekking through sand is so much harder. Thankfully, there are flatter stretches in between each dune so you have a chance to recover a bit. I can’t imagine going up each hill back-to-back!
Thankfully, there is a little bit of shade on some portions of the trail, but hiking up the first 2 sand hills, you are totally exposed. We hiked the trail on a nice 75 degree morning when the humidity wasn’t as impressive but it was really hot once we started trekking uphill.
I recommend a spring hike where temps are cooler and less humid. Plus, it will be less crowded and you may get to see wildflowers in bloom. As another bonus, the park says this is the best time of the year for birdwatching.
This trail (Number 8) conveniently begins just outside the nature center, so it’s easy to find parking and you can hop right on the trail.
Dune 1: Mt. Jackson (176 feet)
This is the smallest of the three dunes, but the one I found the most challenging. The slope is 31 degrees and it was pretty rough trekking up all sand which is much harder to walk in. I am in pretty good shape, but I can imagine this climb would be super tough for many. Luckily, I packed my toe running shoes which felt a bit lighter on my feet. If you have a pair, definitely bring them with as they are perfect for this type of terrain.
Take your time getting up here and enjoy a water break and maybe a snack before continuing on to dune number 2. I recommend relaxing and taking your picture by each sign to commemorate your achievement. On a side note, this dune was named after Indiana Governor Edward Jackson, who served from 1925-1929.
Dune 2: Mt. Holden (184 feet)
Next up was the climb up Mt. Holden which comes in 8 feet higher. This one is a bit steeper technically with a 38 degree slope, but I felt it was a bit easier than Dune 1 as the terrain is a mix of rocks and sand. This makes it a bit easier to maneuver up the sand in my opinion.
At the top, there is a nice viewpoint of Lake Michigan. I was a bit confused at first because I didn’t see a sign marker, but you have to walk a bit until you come across it. I walked down to the lake overview and took a little break and came across an old rusty Mt. Holden sign. Mike and I enjoyed the view for a bit, took our pic by sign number 2 and continued on.
Dune 3: Mt. Tom (192 feet)
I was surprised when we got to Dune 3 and realized it was a staircase. I didn’t really research this hike or know anything about it beforehand, and thus, I was expecting a sand dune. We followed everyone else up the staircase and were pleasantly surprised with the gorgeous lake scenery which greeted us. It was the perfect ending viewpoint treat after all our hard work.
The staircase climb is 8 feet higher than Mt. Holden (with a slope of 43 degrees) and could be easier/harder depending on your preference for stairs vs. sand. Personally, I feel that walking up sand is much harder although I go up and down my staircase at home at least 25 times a day so I am used to it. This is the best overlook on the challenge and we enjoyed the view before continuing back on to the visitors center.
The relaxed journey back to the visitor center
The last portion of the hike, you will walk down the staircase and then continue on with a leisurely stroll through the forest. It’s pretty shady which is nice after a lot of sweating and hard effort. This is a great time to enjoy the ecosystem and look out for any wildlife (we didn’t see much besides squirrels) and enjoy the different plant life. As I mentioned earlier, you may see a lot of birds and wildflowers during the spring season. I also think this is the best time of the year for hiking, temperature wise.
This state park truly is gorgeous, which is a surprise considering its’ close proximity to industrial cities like Gary, Hammond, and Portage. Regardless, I was impressed and really felt like I got in a great hike, while taking in fabulous scenery, and also had the opportunity to get back into nature far away from my computer. Would I plan a return visit? Yes, 100%!
If you complete the challenge, you can pick up a special sticker in the nature center. I plan on turning mine into a magnet for the fridge. Here’s me showing off my sticker after a fun and scenic but tough workout!
Tips for a smooth hike
- Set out early in the morning during the summer months to beat both the crowds and the heat.
- Bring with plenty of water (I usually add Gatorlyte to one bottle) and a few snacks (trail mix is good).
- Wearing toe shoes is a great idea if you have them. Your feet will feel so much lighter.
- Know that you can just go up one dune and turn around. Conquering just one dune is an achievement!
- Take a break after each dune and let your body and breath recover for as long as needed.
- Walk in the footsteps (you will see huge tracks in the sand) to make the climb a bit easier.
What else to do at the state park?
Devil’s Slide: For anyone up for a real big challenge (I thought this hike was even harder), consider adding the climb up Devil’s Slide to your itinerary. Maybe I just visited on a really hot summer day, but I found this climb even more challenging. Also, I would love to come back in the winter to test out the sledding hill!
Indiana Dunes Beach: The beach here is so gorgeous, even nicer than West Beach at the National Park in my opinion. The sand is so soft and smooth and there is plenty of space here for everyone to enjoy whatever – relaxing, sunbathing, sports, etc. It’s considered the best beach in the area to swim at – just check and make sure there are no water warnings for the day. Occasionally, the beaches close for high bacteria levels or large waves.
Diana’s Dare at The National Park
I recommend visiting the national park while you are in the vicinity. You will have to pay another admission fee ($25), but it’s worth checking it off your list if you are trying to visit every park. This is a newer park which just opened in 2019 so the trails are in great condition.
If you are up for another challenge, I recommend completing Diana’s Dare, the hardest hike in the park. You will climb 270 steps and in exchange enjoy a nice overlook of Lake Michigan. I found it a bit easier than 3 Dunes, but not as scenic. You will also receive a sticker for completing this one.
On a side note, we unfortunately hiked this mid afternoon on a really hot summer day. Don’t do this – we were so hot and exhausted afterwards that we basically took a quick shower and jumped into the beach. This one is also better suited for the cooler months, but do get up early if your visit falls in summer.
The state park vs. national park? Which should you visit?
Honestly, I would add both into your trip plans if you have time. Both parks are pretty close to Chicago, so it’s an easy daytrip or mini vacation for anyone who wants to escape the city’s hustle and bustle for a bit. I recommend a weekend roadtrip as there’s lots to do including: swimming at gorgeous beaches, birdwatching, and some pretty great hikes.
Additional details
- The nature center is located at: 1600 North 25 E. Chesterton, IN 46304.
- Hours are: 9am-4pm.
- Fees are $7 resident and $12 non resident.
- Dogs are allowed (max 6 foot leash)
- There is water available and restrooms at the nature center.
Where to stay
I recommend staying at the Spring House Inn. This charming property is located within an easy drive of both the state and national park. I love all the cute antiques around the inn and the serve an early breakfast so you can fuel up before your hike. Also, the grounds are gorgeous – so many trees! And bonus points for the walkable UNO Pizzeria – I haven’t seen one of these in forever!
What to do nearby?
I haven’t done a whole lot in this area, but I do recommend a drive over to Dyer to enjoy a delicious rainbow cone. If you have ever visited Chicago during the summer season, you have probably tried one of these colorful cones out. It’s basically 5 slices (not scoops) of chocolate, strawberry, Palmer House (vanilla with cherries), pistachio almond, and orange sherbert.
2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the iconic ice cream shop on Western Ave on the southside. Fortunately, they have opened numerous suburban locations in recent years including a cute little cafe in a Northwest Indiana town called Dyer. Seriously, this is the best ice cream I’ve ever tasted – it’s worth the half hour drive! This cafe is so cute and colorful and they have a nice indoor seating area complete with pink stools.
In addition to the iconic rainbow cone creation, I also recommend Chocolate Obsession (includes slices of: chocolate, peanut butter swirl, cookies & cream, & big muddy (dark chocolate ice cream with brownie pieces and a caramel swirl).
