Last Updated on: 26th September 2025, 04:39 am
The 3 Dune Challenge is arguably the top hike in the Indiana Dunes region. As the name suggests, it takes hikers up and down three large sand dunes situated near Lake Michigan. They’re all a little under 200 feet high, but given the sandy terrain, the challenge isn’t quite as simple as it sounds.
Before going further, it’s important to clarify that the 3 Dune Challenge is located within Indiana Dunes State Park. Though it’s entirely surrounded by Indiana Dunes National Park, the two parks function as separate entities with their own ticketing systems.
The State Park costs $12 per out-of-state vehicle, while the National Park costs $25. Be sure to check out our guide to Indiana Dunes National Park to help you decide if you’d just like to visit one park or both.
Whichever park you choose, you can learn more about accommodation nearby or in neighboring Chicago at the end of the article.
About This Hike
THE BASICS: This is a 1.5-mile (2.74 km) loop hike that most hikers should be able to finish within an hour. While only moderately difficult, it’s probably the most strenuous hike in the region. The hike takes you to the top of some of the highest dunes in the area, while walking uphill on sand is no easy task.
WHAT TO BRING: There’s nothing special you need to take for this hike other than a good pair of shoes, sunscreen and water.
If you’re coming in summer, you might want to come in your swimsuit, as part of the hike takes you to the shore of Lake Michigan. There don’t seem to be any changing facilities at that part of the beach.
With that said, there are also plenty of other beaches in the area where you can swim as well.
RECOMMENDED APPS: You can find the full trail outlined on AllTrails, though you’ll have to pay for a yearly subscription in order to download it and access it offline.
Note that rather than the ‘3 Dune Challenge,’ AllTrails calls this hike the ‘Mount Jackson, Mount Holden and Mount Tom Loop.’
Otherwise, the free Organic Maps app should also come in handy.
Hiking the 3 Dune Challenge
Most people do the 3 Dune Challenge counterclockwise, beginning with Trail 8. You should easily be able to spot the trailhead right by the park’s main parking lot close to the Visitor Center.
Setting off on the hike, the first dune you’re going to climb will be Mt. Jackson. The trail starts off rather gently, but as you approach the 176-foot (54 m) dune, it suddenly becomes a lot steeper.
While the elevation is minuscule compared with your typical mountain hike, anyone who’s climbed up dunes in the desert knows how tiring it can be. The dunes here offer a similar challenge, though the sandy trails are often lined on either side by forest, making for a rather unique setting that you’re unlikely to find in many other places.
After a final steep ascent at around 31°, you’ll find yourself at the top of Mt. Jackson, named after former Indiana Governor Edward Jackson. Incredibly, this single dune is comprised of roughly 605,000 pickup truck loads of sand (It is, of course, natural).
The top of the dune offers great views from atop the forest canopy. Again, this is the last thing most people picture when hearing the word ‘dunes,’ but it’s part of what makes the 3 Dune Challenge hike so interesting.
Coming down from Mt. Jackson, you’ll find yourself back on the sandy trail as you make your way toward Mt. Holden. As you traverse these huge sandy hills, you’ll likely be wondering how they came to be.
Over the course of the last Ice Age, numerous massive glaciers made their way across these lands, the last of which melted and formed the Great Lakes.
But before it did so, it pulverized mountains and bedrock into sand. And later on, wind blew around the sands which eventually resulted in the dunes that make up this park.
While there are some other dunes around the Great Lakes, such as in the state of Michigan, they’re especially prominent here thanks to additional sediment coming from the erosion of nearby glacial moraines and outwash plains.
After another steep incline, you’ll find yourself at the top of Mt. Holden which reaches up to 184 feet above Lake Michigan. And speaking of the lake, the top of Mt. Holden offers great views of it.
Comprised of 53 million cubic feet of sand, this dune was named after Charles Holden, the first president of the Prairie Club.
Formed in the early 20th century, the Prairie Club played a major role in the establishment of Indiana Dunes State Park. It started as an organization to get people out of inner-city Chicago to enjoy hikes in nature.
After enjoying the view from the top of Mt. Holden, the trail will briefly take you through the forest again and then eventually, to the beach.
Looking at the map, it appears as if this brief descent to the beach is part of Trail 7 rather than Trail 8.
My trip to the Indiana Dunes occurred a few weeks after peak season, while it was an especially gloomy day. As such, I wasn’t surprised to find myself alone on the beach.
But had I arrived in the peak of summer, this would’ve been a great place for a dip in the water.
If you’ll also be visiting Indiana Dunes National Park on the same day, you’ll also have plenty of beaches to choose from in that park as well.
After walking along the beach for a little bit, you’ll want to return to Trail 8, with the ascent here taking you straight up to the final dune of the 3 Dune Challenge: Mt. Tom.
Mt. Tom was named after Tom Brady – the Civil War Lieutenant, not the football player. It reaches up to 192 feet above Lake Michigan, and it offers views of both the forest canopy and the lake in the distance.
If you’re tired of walking through sand by this point, you’ll get a bit of a break thanks to the wooden stairway taking you down from Mt. Tom.
But eventually, you’ll find yourself back on the sandy trail as you head back to the 3 Dune Challenge’s starting point.
All in all, the 3 Dune Challenge is a rewarding short hike that’s worth doing for those visiting the region. But it’s a shame that the Indiana Dunes region isn’t more visitor-friendly, with the two adjacent parks charging separate entry fees.
To be fair, the State Park has been around since 1925, while Indiana Dunes National Park was only designated in 2019! Though unlikely, it would be nice to see some type of combo ticket introduced in the future.
Additional Info
The Indiana Dunes can easily be visited as a day trip from Chicago, though it was be wise to get an early start.
Chicago is a massive sprawling city with plenty of neighborhoods to choose from – plus lots that you’d want to avoid. Let’s narrow things down to just several.
The Loop’s right in the middle of things and a great choice if it’s your first visit. Attractions like the Field Museum are also located right nearby. Staying at somewhere like the Palmer House Hilton would also give you easy access to Millennium Park.
River North’s a lively area with good restaurants and hotels like The Gwen. The West Loop neighborhood is also very central, with solid options like the Nobu Hotel nearby. Lincoln Park’s a calmer area and home to popular hotels like Hotel Lincoln. Wicker Park has more of an artsy feel, and is home to places like The Robey.
As mentioned, the Indiana Dunes can be visited as a day trip from Chicago. But if you’d prefer to get an earlier start, consider staying somewhere closer to the park.
I stayed in the nearby town of Portage at the OYO Hotel Portage I-94. It was a rather dingy hotel but fine for a single night.
To the west of the park is the city of Gary, which is unfortunately known for its high crime rate. Therefore, you might want to consider Michigan City to the east of the park instead (confusingly, Michigan City is indeed located in Indiana).
A highly-rated hotel there is the Holiday Inn Express & Suites, while those on more of a budget should consider the Super 8 by Wyndham.