Great Marsh Accessible Trail

This is a paved out-and-back of about 0.2 miles round trip from the North Lot to the Great Marsh observation deck. The path is wheelchair accessible. Allow about 10–15 minutes, plus time at the view. If you want a longer walk, the separate South Lot Great Marsh Trail is 1.3 miles on packed dirt, grass and gravel, with sections that can get very wet and muddy.

The Great Marsh is the largest interdunal wetland in the Lake Michigan watershed and important habitat for breeding and migrating birds. From the deck, scan the water and marsh edges for coots, mallards, wood ducks, green herons and egrets. Sandhill cranes, warblers and red-winged blackbirds are among the migrants recorded here; spring and fall bring migration activity.

Much of the marsh was drained in the early 1900s as the area was developed. Restoration of this section began in 1998, and fens, sedge meadows and wet prairie have returned. The deck gives you a close look at that wetland without taking the longer, muddy south-lot route. For a photo, frame the open water with the standing trees and grasses; the marsh is the view here.

Start at the North Lot on Broadway Avenue, north of U.S. 12. It has one accessible and one regular parking space. An Indiana Dunes National Park entrance pass is required. Pets are allowed on a leash no longer than six feet. There are no restrooms or potable water at Great Marsh Trail.