Last updated on December 20, 2023.

Pinhook Bog is quite possibly the most interesting section of Indiana Dunes National Park. It’s got an incredible natural history and outstanding plant biodiversity. Pinhook Bog was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1965 – a year before the park was established.

National Natural Landmark designation
National Natural Landmark designation

The bog is located in La Porte. Use your GPS or ask at the visitor center for directions to the parking lot because it can be difficult to find.

 

Pinhook Bog Trail

The Pinhook Bog Trail is accessible only through ranger-guided hikes on certain Saturdays throughout the year. It’s a short 0.3 mile hike to the boardwalk over the bog. Wear shoes you don’t mind getting wet!

Trail to the boardwalk
Trail to the boardwalk
Boardwalk at Pinhook Bog, Indiana Dunes National Park
Boardwalk

The bog was formed by a piece of glacier that broke off 15,000 years ago. The ice remained buried as the glacier retreated to the north. After the ice melted, clay trapped the water in the basin.

Pinhook Bog trail Indiana Dunes National Park
Pinhook Bog
Pinhook Bog
Pinhook Bog

As a relatively young bog, it’s nothing like bogs found in Europe that can be cultivated. Pinhook Bog is an acidic bog covered with sphagnum moss and carnivorous plants. There’s no inflow or outflow of water, and the only sources of water are rain and runoff from higher ground.

Sphagnum moss
Sphagnum moss

Every couple weeks, different flowering plants can be found blossoming at Pinhook Bog, making it a very special place for flower lovers. The ranger pointed out several different flowers, including the rare orange fringed orchid. We even got to see deadly nightshade.

Orange French Orchid at Pinhook Bog trail Indiana Dunes National Park
Orange fringed orchid
Flower
Flower
Flower at Pinhook Bog, Indiana Dunes National Park
Flower
Nightshade
Nightshade

There are also a few species of carnivorous plants to be found. The most prominent were sundew plants and pitcher plants.

Sundew Plants at Pinhook Bog trail Indiana Dunes National Park
Sundew plants
Pitcher Plant at Pinhook Bog trail Indiana Dunes National Park
Pitcher plant

 

Upland Trail

The Upland Trail is a separate 2 mile hike at the site. It takes you through a beech and maple forest growing on a glacial moraine formed 15,000 years ago.

Upland Trail
Upland Trail
Open area of the Upland Trail
Hiking through the forest on the Upland Trail at Pinhook Bog, Indiana Dunes National Park
Hiking through the forest on the Upland Trail

Near the south end of the loop, there’s a good view of the bog. It also loops around a small pond. It’s obviously a very different habitat to the bog.

Hiking through the forest on the Upland Trail at Pinhook Bog, Indiana Dunes National Park
Hiking through the forest on the Upland Trail
Pond
Pond
Berries on the Upland Trail at Pinhook Bog, Indiana Dunes National Park
Berries on the Upland Trail

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Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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