IDNP Miller Woods — Attraction in Calumet Township

I was so excited to come here, hike the trail, and see the lupine in bloom, especially after reading the rave reviews. I'm honestly still trying to parse out my experience, so I'll start with the positives.

The area is super interesting, ecologically. The Black oak savannah is really unique, and the lupine that blanket the rolling hills are beautiful. The wildlife really like the area, as well. We heard tons of birds and frogs, and even saw a mama deer and her two fawns in one of the ponds. The trail was very well marked and easy to follow, although it wasn't exactly "packed" sand like the NP website describes, except at the very beginning. It also wasn't super soft and difficult until the very end (I mean, it IS the dunes. There's sand, lol). There was also NO trash anywhere on the trail.

But... I found the whole experience really depressing, in spite of the enjoyable scenery. The trail starts right next to the railroad tracks, so freight trains came through several times. I could hear and see the steel mills once we got closer to the beach, and the views to the east and west once we got to the lake were less than inspiring because of the way the area is nestled into an industrial zone. The trail also follows and crosses the Grand Calumet River, which has been horribly abused over the past 200 years, and is still one of the most polluted rivers in the country.

I feel like I should find the Miller Woods area a beacon of hope and feel inspired that people have cared enough about the dunes ecosystem to save this little piece of it... But, while I can think those things, I just don'tfeel them. Being there just made me sad that people in the past ruined the natural beauty of the area, and I found the experience incredibly depressing.

So... Just be prepared when you go. The area is unique and beautiful, but it may not be quite the experience you might expect from the other...

This is a great hike for those that want to see the dunes and yet not traverse large sand dunes. The trail starts at the Paul Douglas Nature center. Whichever option you choose you pass a few beaver huts. Often there is evidence of recent work, but less often do you get to see them, but they are there.

As you pass through undulating swales you come to an abandoned RR bed. Take the bed to the West and you can see a couple even bigger beaver huts in some ponds.

Back on the trail you hike through established oaks and the trail is rather firm. Once you get to the bridge you are entering the dunes. The trail skirts along the base of the dunes and a lagoon. In the summer this sand is hot. Avoid making your dogs hike this.

Anyway, you cross over a few more swales and past another pond before reaching the beach. The beach changes with the years and is currently, '22 much wider than it was just a couple years ago.

Do everyone a favor and bring a plastic bag to haul some trash out. This beach is often littered with garbage. Especially, the closer you get to the US Steel breakwater.

Plan to spend a couple hours to a half day. It's lovely and on most days you can get a good view of the...

These woods are the jewel in the crown of sad Gary. Nature conservationists and wildlife lovers will undoubtably blow a massive wad here. A moderately rugged trail will lead you through prairie, marsh, dunes, ducks, tall grass, frogs, turtles, wetlands, deer, oak trees, cranes, and Zillions of wildflowers. The trail does not loop, does not have a ton of shade and ends on the beach a Lake Michigan. This glorious( yet relatively small) remnant of shoreline Biodiversity will definitely satiate every nature enthusiast appetite. And remember- you’re just a visitor here. This place is a tiny home to Migratory birds and other wildlife. We’ve completed destroyed their once thriving habitat with Mills, agriculture and over development of gross, cookie cutter houses. Respecting this and other forest preserves is the very...