Erie-Lackawanna Trail
The Erie-Lackawanna Trail is one of Northwest Indiana’s signature rail-to-trail routes, stretching about 17.7 miles along the former Erie Lackawanna Railway corridor through Lake County. Beginning near Hammond and running south through Highland, Griffith, Schererville, Merrillville, and ending in Crown Point, this fully paved, multi-use path is ideal for biking, walking, running and inline skating. The wooded sections, open fields, and wetland areas along the trail offer scenic variety, while connections to other regional paths like the Monon Trail and Oak Savannah Trail help link users to a growing greenway network. As part of U.S. Bicycle Route 36, the trail also connects local riders to long-distance cycling routes.
Pennsy Greenway
The Pennsy Greenway is a developing rail-trail that follows the former Pennsylvania Railroad alignment from Lansing, Illinois into Northwest Indiana, with paved segments totaling roughly 12.5 miles. Serving communities in Lansing, Munster, Dyer and Schererville, the Greenway provides a scenic, low-stress route for cyclists, walkers and joggers traversing urban and suburban neighborhoods. Although still incomplete in places, it forms an important link in the regional trail network, with plans to extend it further east toward Crown Point and improve continuity between local trail systems like the Erie-Lackawanna and Monon trails.
Oak Savannah Trail
The Oak Savannah Trail offers roughly 10+ miles of paved multi-use path through remnants of oak savanna, prairie, wetlands and parks between Griffith and Hobart. It’s a popular route for cyclists and walkers thanks to its flat grade and scenic crossings over lakes such as Lake George, with opportunities for fishing and wildlife viewing along the way. The trail also connects at its southern end to the Erie-Lackawanna Trail, allowing users to plan longer excursions, and it neighbors the Prairie Duneland Trail farther east.
Chesapeake & Ohio Greenway
The Chesapeake & Ohio Greenway in Merrillville is a pleasant, shorter paved path of about 5–6 miles that occupies a historic rail corridor and winds diagonally through mixed woodland and residential areas. Its shaded segments and pedestrian bridge over Turkey Creek make it a nice option for local outings or connecting into broader trail systems. On the northwest end, the C&O Greenway intersects with the Oak Savannah Trail, enhancing access between neighborhoods and regional trails.
St. John Trail
The St. John Multi-Use Trail is a paved urban pathway in Dyer and St. John, Indiana, that stretches roughly 4+ miles between community parks such as Heartland Park and Homestead Acres Park. Popular for walking, running, cycling, and stroller-friendly outings, the route passes through residential areas and offers occasional views of the creek, though users should be mindful of road crossings and limited shading in places.
Goodenow Grove Trails
While technically just across the state line in Illinois, the Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve trails are a favorite destination for nature lovers near the Indiana border. The preserve features a network of natural surface and limestone pathways, including the Plum Creek Greenway, which winds through forests, prairies and wetlands. Ideal for hiking, birdwatching, biking, horseback riding and winter snowshoeing, the diverse terrain and abundant wildlife make it a scenic complement to the more suburban rail-trail experiences closer to the Lake Michigan shore.
Whihala Beach / Whiting Lakefront Trail
The Whihala Beach Trail at Whiting’s Lakefront Park offers a short but scenic 2.5–3-mile out-and-back route along the shores of Lake Michigan. Part of the Whiting Lakefront area that includes Whihala Beach, recreational paths, picnic areas and playgrounds, this trail is perfect for casual walks, runs and family outings with sweeping views of the lake and, on clear days, the Chicago skyline. It pairs wonderfully with time spent at the beach or fishing piers in the park.
