Great Marsh Trail

The Great Marsh is the largest interdunal wetland in the Lake Michigan watershed. It serves as a critical habitat for breeding and migratory birds. This popular trail features an overlook of the marsh where you can spot a wide variety of birds ranging from Great Blue Herons to Sandhill Cranes. While much of the marsh was drained in the early 1900s for residential and agricultural use, the National Park Service began restoration of this portion in 1998.The trail may be muddy or slippery. Wear adequate footwear. The trail length from the south parking lot around the eastern loop, to the observation deck and back to the south parking lot is 1.7 miles.A handicap parking spot is provided at the north lot. There is a paved road from this lot to the accessible overlook.

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 https://www.nps.gov/indu/index.htm or https://www.facebook.com/IndianaDunesNPS.