Tolleston Dunes Trail
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
Ticks are aggressive in the oak savanna and tall grass sections from April through October. Wear long pants, treat clothing with permethrin, and do a thorough check after your hike.
Sections of loose sand can get brutally hot underfoot in summer — trail runners with thin soles will feel every degree. Stick to morning hours on high-heat days.
Trail Details
- 1
Start from the Tolleston Dunes parking area off US-20 rather than connecting from other trail systems — it puts you right at the trailhead without adding road-walk mileage.
- 2
Bring a wildflower field guide or download the Seek app before you go. Late May through July, the lupine and butterfly weed blooms along this trail rival anything in the park, and most hikers walk right past without knowing what they're seeing.
- 3
The observation deck over the wetlands is the best birding spot on this trail — pack lightweight binoculars and hit it early morning when herons and rails are active along the marsh edges.
Photos
NPS