A short hike with expansive views of the Great Marsh.

The Dune Ridge Trail offers expansive views of the Great Marsh, an incredibly diverse area that contributes to the park's title as "one of the top five most biologically diverse of all the national parks." Along the dunes, certain "pioneer plants such as marram and little bluestem grasses and cottonwood trees" have "adapted to live in the dunes where moving sand sometimes partially buries or uncovers plant stems and roots."

Mostly easy, this hike is rated *moderate* due to one particularly steep sandy slope. It's a short 0.7-mile lollipop and typically completed within 30 minutes to 1 hour. This is an excellent option for a short family-friendly hike, and it's even pet-friendly!

The trailhead for this hike is somewhat large, but can quickly fill on a busy summer weekend. It also doubles as a parking area for Kemil Beach, which is just a short walk away. Parking is free and no entry fees are required. Potable water and restrooms are both available and the lot from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm daily, per the NPS.

[Source](https://www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/dr16.htm) Written by Brendon Voelker

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Dune Ridge Trail

Hiking Trail

Route and Elevation