Old Indian Green Arrow Loop

The Green Arrow Loop is a 2.3-mile circuit over tree-covered ancient dunes. It stays mostly flat to gently rolling, making it a good pick for an easier woodland walk; allow about 75 minutes at a comfortable pace. A park overview lists the broader Old Indian Trail at 2.5 miles without separating the arrow routes; the dedicated loop map gives each arrow circuit 2.3 miles. This entry follows the Green Arrow alone, not both arrows.

The Green Arrow is the easy option beside the Black Arrow, whose steep hills and sharp curves make it more demanding. Both routes follow dune crests, but the Green route is a quieter way to spend an hour without the harder climbs. The shore spur is a separate add-on, not part of this circuit.

The dune ridges mark an older shoreline left by post-glacial Lake Michigan. Maple, aspen, oak and birch mix with hemlock and pine; fall brings colored leaves, and slow walkers may notice fungi, wildflowers and dune plants. The route follows part of an Indigenous coastal pathway between places where people fished and camped.

A short spur crosses low beach dunes dotted with shrubs and grasses before opening to Lake Michigan. Its published 0.2-mile distance does not say whether that is one way or return, so count the walk back separately. The shore view is the payoff here; pets are not allowed on the beach.

The gravel Old Indian Trailhead is on M-22 just north of Sutter Road, with a vault toilet and no water; a park entrance pass is required. Pets are barred from this trail December 1 through March 31; at other times they must stay on a six-foot leash. Warm-weather mosquitoes can be plentiful, so this is a poor pick without repellent.