It runs roughly parallel to U.S. Route 12 and the right-of-way of the South Shore line, along the NIPSCO easement.

The trail runs for about 9.1 miles (14.6 km) from Mineral Springs Road in Dune Acres, Indiana, near Cowles Bog, to a point by the county line of Porter County and LaPorte County, very close to the parking lot entrance of a local sand dune landmark, Mount Baldy.

The surface is of crushed limestone and is frequently used by cyclists and joggers in the warmer months, and skiers in the winter.

[1] Deer and other wildlife are often seen along the trail, which loosely connects with other bicycle/multi-use trails in northwestern Indiana in a loose arc from near the Illinois state line to near the Michigan state line, bringing trail users in proximity to Indiana Dunes National Park and Indiana Dunes State Park.

[4] In 2001, the trail was repaired, and the crumbling pavement was replaced with crushed limestone, and the iconic covered bridge over Brown Ditch was constructed.