Cowles Bog
Cowles Bog
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
33 reviews
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Doug B
Indianapolis, IN41 contributions
Jul 2020
it's walking on a sandy path, to the lake. Took wife and I about two hours and 15 minutes, including a good 30 minutes of just relaxing at the lake shore. There was a broken busted dingy boat on the shore. That was cool. Water was cold. But, I liked this path the best of all the hiking we did over a two day period. If you only do one hike, I recommend this one. Take a towel, water, snacks, and wear your bathing suit to splash in the cold water before heading back. Parking is easy. The hike was easy except for one steep part.
Written 3 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tara H
New Albany, IN12 contributions
Jul 2021
When they say that this route is strenuous, they mean it! Be sure to take water with you and have on good walking shoes. Bug spray is a must on this hike. The view of Lake Michigan at the far side of the loop is great, but the trek back is tough!
Written 16 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
doug B
Chicago, IL153 contributions
Feb 2023 • Solo
This was one of my favorite hikes in the area. About 5.5 miles. Trails are clear and reasonably groomed but not so groomed that you feel like you are in an amusement park. I was there February. Must be stunning the Fall and Spring. Hike up from the beach (at least on the wooded path closer to the power station) is not for the weak of heart, but it is a nice friendly climb if you are in reasonable shape. a gem
Written 27 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kelly Cathcart
Valparaiso, IN1,191 contributions
Oct 2020
This trail is off the beaten path, and worth the effort to find it. You head toward the gated community of Dune Acres, when you get to the guardhouse you have arrived. You enter the parking lot to the right. it is a small lot.
The trail is a lovely walk along the marsh, in the woods, and leads to the lake. It is sandy and medium difficulty, in parts.
It is a birder's paradise trail. bring your binoculars and bird log along.
It is free and just down the road from Baily Homestead, check out both in the same trip.
The trail is a lovely walk along the marsh, in the woods, and leads to the lake. It is sandy and medium difficulty, in parts.
It is a birder's paradise trail. bring your binoculars and bird log along.
It is free and just down the road from Baily Homestead, check out both in the same trip.
Written 21 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jzpurdue
Valparaiso, IN372 contributions
May 2018 • Family
Had a hard time finding the parking lot, when you get to the gatehouse, go right into the woods and you'll find it. Trail is generally flat and easy till the very end. The trail puts you at the top of the dunes, so of course you'll want to go down to the beach down below, so after you do that, the trail is about 4.4mi. We have a 4 yr. old and a 6, they did really well, but I would recommend ages 7+. There are lots of diff. birds to see, especially diff. cranes.
Written 12 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Becky T
5 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
Cowles Bog trail has intrigued us for years, ever since that first visit when we went the wrong way! You go along the marsh area, through oak savanna, up the dune to a vantage of Lake Michigan and the shoreline. Plan a couple of hours and catty water and bug repellent, unless of course you do this in winter.
Written 23 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
komlaandme
Valparaiso, IN41 contributions
Aug 2019
This was found by accident, but it was a super accident. The forest canopy over the trails, the up and down hiking of paths. You get the best workouts in nature! Trails are marked if you want to make it to the beach, we were pressed for time so did the loop around, i think it is about 3 miles. Super quiet and no one else was there on the trails when were we there.
Written 21 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris S
Cleveland, OH53 contributions
Sept 2019
If you are out visiting the Indiana State Dunes National Park, make sure to include this hike in your itinerary. The only downside is there is only a porta potty, but it is only about a 10 minute drive from the town center where you most likely would be staying. A well marked loop trail, took us about 2 hours to hike. Some was sand, some was dirt, a nice mix of flat and hills.
Written 9 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hoosierref
Portage, IN351 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
It's a little over 2 miles one way to the beach. Along the way you see all the different dune succession areas. You can't really see the bog (Actually a fen) but it's cool seeing the swampy areas on the boardwalk. My favorite time is the winter. For a challenging hike, follow the trail in the sea of marram grass at the beach for a different way back. It's fun and offers more diversity to your hike. See my pic for route. It's just a bit over 4 miles total.
Written 9 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Connector43131496512
2 contributions
Jun 2019
As part of Indiana Dunes National Park this hike has two loops and parking just beyond Calumet Trail. Parking is available during daylight hours where a portable toilet was available (June). There is a manned guard station that provides maps and information.
The trail primarily rolls through the bog/woods until it reaches the dunes. There is a rise and a little scramble in or out. Shoes with a loose weave fabric may become packed with fine sand and slides/flip-flops might be a good idea. Wear bug spray to repel biting flies and mosquitoes. It was cool under the canopy of trees on a hot day and the breeze off of the lake was welcome after a short hill climb. This trail is a pack in and pack out trail and having a small watertight trash bag would allow anyone to pickup trash that may have washed up.
This is a sweet little loop and like any hike it may require you to cross water or downed timber. Carry water and enjoy the nearly five mile walk that includes wildflowers, boardwalks, ferns, natural forest and sands.
The trail primarily rolls through the bog/woods until it reaches the dunes. There is a rise and a little scramble in or out. Shoes with a loose weave fabric may become packed with fine sand and slides/flip-flops might be a good idea. Wear bug spray to repel biting flies and mosquitoes. It was cool under the canopy of trees on a hot day and the breeze off of the lake was welcome after a short hill climb. This trail is a pack in and pack out trail and having a small watertight trash bag would allow anyone to pickup trash that may have washed up.
This is a sweet little loop and like any hike it may require you to cross water or downed timber. Carry water and enjoy the nearly five mile walk that includes wildflowers, boardwalks, ferns, natural forest and sands.
Written 4 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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