Miller Woods Trail System (NEW! Snowshoe Rental!!)
For winter trail enthusiasts, The Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education (aka Miller Woods), located in Indianan Dunes National Park, has snowshoes available for free checkout every day from 9:00 am – 3:30 pm when there is at least a two-inch snow base. Snowshoe sizes are available for kids and adults alike. Snowshoes can be used to explore the three-mile-long Miller Woods trail system that leads visitors on an easy to moderate hike through beautiful oak savanna and dune habitats. In addition to the trail, explore inside of the Douglas Center to see exhibits and a live animal display. You can even check out “Nature Backpacks” that are stocked with supplies and nature guides that can help you learn more about the diversity of nature in the dunes. Please wear a face covering when inside the Douglas Center and maintain social distancing when on the trails outside. These snowshoes were generously donated to the park by the Friends of Indiana Dunes, Inc.
We can’t wait to try this and bring you back our report. In the meantime, read more here.
Summary:
Miller Woods is part of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, and consists of several habitats including wetlands, globally rare oak savanna, open dunes and beach.
The savannas native grasses and wildflowers, including lupine, thrive in the sunlight and more open forest floor. The wild lupine, the only food for the caterpillar of the endangered Karner blue butterfly, grows close to the trail.
Perfect weekend-morning escape from Chicago, or a day-long biking destination (bikes are not allowed on trails).
Dig the Dunes Miller Woods page.
National Park Service Miller Woods page.
Friends of Indiana Dunes website.