Glenwood Dunes Trail

The featured loop hike is equestrian friendly and also a favorite of cross-country skiers. Park at the Glenwood Dunes parking lot located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 20 and Brummitt Road. Bring a trail map as the route has too many trail junctions and cut-offs to fully describe here. From the trailhead, hike in a counterclockwise direction and take care when crossing roads. At the east end of the loop, take the short cut-off to avoid the Calumet Dunes Paved Trail (Note that it is a short hike to the Calumet Dunes parking lot if restroom or potable water is desired). After the cut-off, follow the trail west along U.S. Highway 12 before heading south the western-most point of the trail. Do not take the Glenwood dunes Extension Trail. Instead, follow the loop trail back to the north and then east to the parking lot. The hike can be extended by adding the Calumet Dunes Paved Trail, Dunewood Trace Campground Trail and Glenwood Dunes Extension Trail for a total hike distance of nearly 15 miles. This extensive trail system features interconnected loops ranging from less than a mile to nearly 15 miles and is popular with hikers, runners, horseback riders and cross-country skiers. In addition to the Glenwood Dunes Trail, the 4.4-mile round trip Dunewood Trace Campground Trail connects the Glenwood Dunes trail system to the National Park’s Dunewood Campground to the east. The 2.6-mile round trip Glenwood Dunes Extension Trail connects the system to the Dune Park South Shore Railroad Station to the west. In the center, it connects to the Calumet Dunes Paved Trail. The trail surface is a mixture of packed dirt, loose sand and some sections of boardwalk. Bring a trail map, as there are 13 trail junctions. The trail system is accessible from either the Glenwood Dunes or Calumet Dunes parking lot. - Open daily from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm. - The Glenwood Dunes parking lot is large enough for horse trailers. - Horses are not permitted on any of the surrounding roads. - Free (no access fee). - Bicycles and motorized vehicles are not allowed. - Bring a trail map when using this trail system. - There are 13 trail junctions; pay attention to where you are. - Formerly known as the Ly-co-ki-we trail. - Pets are not permitted on the equestrian portion of the Glenwood Dunes Trail. - Pets are permitted on a leash (6' or shorter) on the other sections of the trail system. - There are covered picnic shelters at the Glenwood Dunes parking lot. First come, first served. No advance reservations. Wheelchair accessible. - Cooking fires at the picnic shelters are permitted in the provided grills or an approved carry-in grill. An approved grill is a noncombustible container with an enclosed bottom and enclosed sides with a minimum depth of 2 inches. Charcoal must be cooled and safely disposed of in a noncombustible container or removed from the area. - The Glenwood Dunes Trail is not wheelchair accessible. - The Calumet Dunes Paved Trail is wheelchair accessible. - The Glenwood Dunes Trail surface is a combination of loose sand and packed dirt. - There are restroom facilities and potable water available year-round at both parking lots. - Horseback riding is permitted on the Glenwood Dunes Trail only from March 16 - December 14. However, if there is sufficient snow cover for cross-country skiing (3 inches or more) before December 15 or after March 15, the trail will remain closed to horseback riding. Horses are prohibited in the winter to prevent accidents with skiers on the trail. - Visitors must provide their own horses or ski equipment. - Skiers and horseback riders should complete the Glenwood Dunes Trail in a counterclockwise fashion to allow for one-way traffic. - Stay on the trail to protect the wildlife and yourself. - Use insect repellent, wear long sleeves and tuck long pants into socks to avoid ticks and poison ivy. - Mosquitoes can be bad in the summer.