+ 6
Little Calumet River Trail
Hiking Trail
Easy
3.41 mi
141 ft
An easy hike exploring the restored Mnoké Prairie, Bailly Homestead, and Chellberg Farm.
This hiking-only trail system "reveals the rich natural diversity that has drawn people to this area for over 10,000 years," according to the [NPS]( Easy-to-moderate in difficulty, this hike takes a couple of hours to complete and offers stops at the historic Bailly Homestead, Chellberg Farm, and Mnoké Prairie. Most of the hike winds along a well-maintained trail through hardwood forests "dominated by maple, beech, basswood, and oak," while a scenic boardwalk leads visitors through wet bottomlands. A National Historic Landmark, the Bailly Homestead "played a role in the development of the Calumet Region of northern Indiana" in the early 1800s. Built by Joseph Bailly, "an independent trader in the extensive fur-trading network that spread from Montreal to Louisiana," the site served as an important stop for travelers and was noted particularly for its "vernacular architectural features and construction types." [Source]( The trailhead for this hike is located off Mineral Springs Road in Porter, IN. Potable water and restrooms are available year-round, and the parking lot is open daily from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm. No fee is required for this hike and the parking lot is suitable for larger vehicles, including busses. Leashed and well-behaved pets are also allowed. The now-abandoned Dune Acres Station to the north also offers access to this loop via the Brickyard Trail. For a shorter 1.1-mile hike, follow the Bailly/Chellberg (Inner) Loop instead. This easy stroll shouldn't take more than 45 minutes and begins/ends at the same trailhead. Sources: Written by Brendon Voelker
This hiking-only trail system "reveals the rich natural diversity that has drawn people to this area for over 10,000 years," according to the [NPS]( Easy-to-moderate in difficulty, this hike takes a couple of hours to complete and offers stops at the historic Bailly Homestead, Chellberg Farm, and Mnoké Prairie. Most of the hike winds along a well-maintained trail through hardwood forests "dominated by maple, beech, basswood, and oak," while a scenic boardwalk leads visitors through wet bottomlands. A National Historic Landmark, the Bailly Homestead "played a role in the development of the Calumet Region of northern Indiana" in the early 1800s. Built by Joseph Bailly, "an independent trader in the extensive fur-trading network that spread from Montreal to Louisiana," the site served as an important stop for travelers and was noted particularly for its "vernacular architectural features and construction types." [Source]( The trailhead for this hike is located off Mineral Springs Road in Porter, IN. Potable water and restrooms are available year-round, and the parking lot is open daily from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm. No fee is required for this hike and the parking lot is suitable for larger vehicles, including busses. Leashed and well-behaved pets are also allowed. The now-abandoned Dune Acres Station to the north also offers access to this loop via the Brickyard Trail. For a shorter 1.1-mile hike, follow the Bailly/Chellberg (Inner) Loop instead. This easy stroll shouldn't take more than 45 minutes and begins/ends at the same trailhead. Sources: Written by Brendon Voelker