West Beach 3-Loop Trail

West Beach 3-Loop Trail is a 3.4-mile circuit from the paved West Beach lot, linking Dune Succession, West Beach, and Long Lake trails. Budget about 2.5 hours, because sandy footing and stair climbs make this a slower walk than the mileage suggests. It moves from a jack-pine stand to a stairway and Lake Michigan overlook, then across open dunes and savanna before a Long Lake viewing platform and a rolling-dune return. The 3.4-mile figure is for this connected itinerary; walking each named loop separately is longer. If you want one substantial walk at West Beach, this route packs the area’s biggest changes in scenery into a single circuit.

From the lot, head north toward the bathhouse and pick up Dune Succession west of it. The path passes a jack-pine stand—one of the species’ southernmost populations—before climbing more than 270 stairs up a dune. At the top, Lake Michigan opens out toward Chicago. The trail also shows four stages of dune development, from open sand to more settled vegetation. The stair climb is the first real effort; take it steadily and pause for the view. Stay on the marked path to protect fragile dunes and ponds nearby.

The West Beach section crosses land leveled by sand mining in the 1920s, when sand was shipped out by rail for fill and construction. The remaining dunes were protected, and the disturbed ground is gradually returning to native vegetation as oak savanna. Look for prickly pear among the grasses. Most of this stretch is loose sand, so the easy-looking distance takes work. A viewing platform over Long Lake makes a good pause to watch for waterbirds, though sightings vary.

The final leg follows Long Lake, climbs into dunes for another open view, crosses the entrance road, and winds over rolling sand before a steep descent into the picnic area. Packed dirt, loose sand, stairs, and boardwalks alternate underfoot. The route starts in relative shade and ends in full sun; the later climb and descent can feel harder than the map suggests. There is about 223 feet of total elevation gain, with a steep push on the stairway and another on the Long Lake loop. Give yourself time for the second climb and careful descent; loose sand makes both more tiring than hard-packed trail.

Use the paved West Beach main lot at 376 N County Line Road in Gary; follow the route north toward the bathhouse to start. The lot has space for about 600 cars and 20 buses, with year-round restrooms and drinking water nearby and eight covered picnic shelters. Showers and lockers are seasonal, available from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. A valid park entrance pass is required. Dogs are allowed on a leash no longer than six feet, but not in the lifeguarded swimming area in summer. If the full circuit is too much, the separate 0.9-mile Dune Succession loop reaches the stairway view and skips the West Beach and Long Lake sections.