Hobart Prairie Grove

This featured hike is an out and back trail. The hike can be started from either end of the Oak Savannah trail, but the preferred start is from the Robinson Lake Park parking lot off of Liverpool Road. Follow the Oak Savannah rail trail east for just under a half mile. Look for the Hobart Woodland trailhead on the south side of the rail trail just before the woods start. There is a foot bridge and map kiosk. The packed dirt double-track trail will head south following the wood line for a short distance before entering the woods. The trail makes its way through rare bur oak savanna to Lake George. This a small loop offering scenic views of the lake. Hobart Prairie Grove consists of forested ravines and a portion of scenic Lake George, which is part of the Deep River. The Hobart Woodland trail offers views of forest ravines and has an overlook of Lake George. The Oak Savannah rail trail runs through the Hobart Prairie Grove and is a great place for biking, pushing a stroller or just hiking to relax and improve your health. The Hobart Prairie Grove preserves several habitats including wetlands, prairie remnants, white oak flatlands, and a rare bur oak savanna. At about 300 acres in size, it contains 343 native plants and an abundance of wildlife. This area is also noteworthy because of a unique soil that is made up of at least 70 percent silt and clay with the smaller portions of sand. This type of soil is one of the reasons for the outstanding diversity of life here at Hobart Prairie Grove. This very special place was added to the National Park System as part of a 1992 expansion of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore (renamed the Indiana Dunes National Park in 2019). - Open daily from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm. - Free (no access fee). - Bicycles are allowed on the Oak Savannah paved rail trail. - Bicycles are not allowed on the Hobart Woodland hiking trail. - ATV's and other motorized vehicles are not allowed. - Hunting is not allowed. - Pets are permitted on a leash (6' or shorter). - The Oak Savannah rail trail is paved and wheelchair accessible. - The Hobart Woodland trail surface is packed dirt and is not wheelchair accessible. - No restrooms or potable water source. - The main parking lot at Robinson Lake Park on the west end is paved and has room for 16 cars. - There is on-street parallel parking at the east end on South Wisconsin Street. - 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.