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Mt Tom
4.9 ★★★★★ 20 Google reviews · Running trail in Chesterton, Indiana · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Mt Tom'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.
What runners say about Mt Tom
“Easy and quick trail, beautiful natural jungle experience with sandy path, nice experience.”
A fast but decently involved little hike from the beach to the "Mt. Tom" gives you a poetic panoramic view of the lake, dunes, wooded area, and trails from a well-built and maintained wooden platform and staircases.
Easy and quick trail, beautiful natural jungle experience with sandy path, nice experience. Beautiful scenic view of lake Michigan from the top.
The last of the three dune challenge. And the hardest one! Lots and lots of stairs. But the view is worth the challenge!!! You can continue on to the beach and pavilion from here... or take the trail back to the nature center for a more direct way back. On a clear day you can see Chicago.
Trail conditions & character
“Tom" gives you a poetic panoramic view of the lake, dunes, wooded area, and trails from a well-built and maintained wooden platform and staircases.”
Plan your run at Mt Tom
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
Hours
| Monday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM–7 PM |
Running trails near Chesterton
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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Indiana Dunes National Park Cowles Bog Trailhead
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Indiana Dunes National Park Cowles Bog Trail
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