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Mount Baldy
4.6 ★★★★★ 103 Google reviews · Running trail in Michigan City, Indiana · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- 1 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Mount Baldy's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Sandy dunes and beach trails amid ice and snow, with lake views also featured.
What runners say about Mount Baldy
“The dune's stand 40 to 60 feet and it's at a angle which is a beautiful view but not so beautiful navigating it.”
Absolutely loved our experience at Mount Baldy! It was truly a sight to behold, with the mesmerizing mix of ice, snow, and sand creating a scene that was nothing short of mind-boggling. The 3-hour drive up was completely worth it for this breathtaking view alone.
The beach itself is beautiful and did not have many people on it while we were here. The trail to the beach is a good walk, but getting to the beach itself was a challenging walk down a narrow sand footpath on the side of a steep dune. Getting back up was another story but was with watching the sunset.
Great place to stop and check out. Mt. Baldy is very impressive. The beach was nice and empty. Literally nobody was there around noon on a Thursday. Given the size of the sand dunes you can expect to see bigger waves here than over by the lighthouse on washington beach be aware there is no lifeguards at this beach and…
Great trail, with a fantastic overview of Lake Michigan. There were several trails leading down to the beach to pick from. Waterfall and mountain hiking are one thing but hiking a sand dune is a totally different beast. This was at the Mt Baldy area!
Trail conditions & character
“The dune's stand 40 to 60 feet and it's at a angle which is a beautiful view but not so beautiful navigating it.”
“The trail to the beach is a good walk, but getting to the beach itself was a challenging walk down a narrow sand footpath on the side of a steep dune.”
“It’s a quick hike from the parking lot to the beach where you can get some great pictures.”
“There are restrooms at the trailhead as well and even a vending machine but it was shut down when we visited in Sept 2021 (Covid ?”
Plan your run at Mount Baldy
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- Distance1 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitenps.gov
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–11 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–11 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–11 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–11 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–11 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–11 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am–11 pm |
Running trails near Michigan City
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Ruby Woods
4.3 ★★★★☆ 68 reviews
Hansen Park
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Gardena Park
4.2 ★★★★☆ 345 reviews
Municipal park with 3 basketball courts, 2 baseball fields & on-site restrooms.
