Indiana Dunes: Part of the Bailly / Chellberg Trail Closed Through Late October

If you're planning a hike around Indiana Dunes, one popular stretch calls for a backup plan right now. Parts of the Bailly / Chellberg Trail are currently closed while crews finish a boardwalk replacement project that runs along the route.

The closed sections are the ones with the stairs. The stepped portion is off-limits so the crews can work safely, not just as a passing precaution. The closure stays in effect through October 30, 2026, the target date for wrapping up the work. Until then, don't count on this stretch. It won't reopen piece by piece.

This boardwalk, the raised walkway that protects the wet ground and your shoes, has reached the end of its life on this stretch. Replacing it is what's behind the closure. That's good news down the road, since a new boardwalk will hold up better on the loop that links the historic Chellberg Farm and the Bailly Homestead, one of the most history-rich corners of the park.

Here's our advice if you're coming before the end of October. Plan an alternate route and don't try to go around the barriers. A boardwalk work site isn't scenery, and the ground around it can be soft. Ask at the entrance when you arrive to find out which junctions are still passable the day you visit, since the work keeps shifting access.

Good news: the rest of Indiana Dunes is unchanged. The Lake Michigan beaches, the other trails, and the overlooks all stay open, and one loop under construction won't ruin a day out here. To plan around this closure and scout hiking alternatives, open the Indiana Dunes park guide before you head out. Keep some slack in your schedule. It's the best way to absorb this kind of restriction without the frustration.