People don't usually equate Indiana with beautiful, sandy beaches, but maybe it's time they started to. Did you know that there are parts of Indiana that are so perfectly beachy that you might just forget you're still in the Hoosier state? It's true! In fact, Cowles Bog Trail In Indiana offers such breathtaking views of Lake Michigan that we think you'll come back over and over despite the moderate difficulty level of the hike. It's beautiful and amazingly diverse - you'll soon see what we mean.

Tucked safely in Indiana Dunes State Park (one of the newest state parks in the nation), the Cowles Bog Trail is a trail with a strange-sounding name that will transport you to a whole other world.

The Cowles Bog Trail is a 4.7-mile hike named for the scientist, Dr. Henry Cowles, who studied plant ecology here in the early 1900s. He chose this area for good reason. It's got remarkably diverse areas of plant life in several "biomes" along the trail, and you've got to see them all.

The lollipop-shaped trail takes you through the edges of wetlands first, and after about one mile, you will come to the loop trail junction. We suggest you go clockwise - or, rather, take the trail to the right.

This is no shortcut to get to the stellar lake views at the end; you've got to sweat a little. And sweat you will through marshes, ponds, swamps, black oak savanna, and, of course, the cherry on top: the beaches.

The fascinatingly diverse plant life is one of the major draws of the area. Naturalists and hikers alike enjoy taking the time to really appreciate each biome and all the plants that live in them.

After taking the right turn at the loop junction, you'll be led through an area thick with black oak trees. This area is the black oak savanna, and while trekking through you'll spot many ponds, all of which are teeming with life.

Frogs, fish, birds, bees - you name it, it probably lives here.

Okay, well, maybe within reason; you're not going to find any rhinoceros on the Cowles Bog Trail anytime soon, but you will find critters like woodpeckers, night heron, frogs of many sorts, deer, and even the endangered Karner Blue butterfly can be found here. Bring binoculars to get close-up views of far-away creatures without startling them.

The best part, hands down, is the incredible view of Lake Michigan that the hardiest of hikers are rewarded with at the end of the long and strenuous hike.

As you get closer to the lake, you'll see a very large dune; to reach the access point, you must climb up (and then down) the dune. This part of the hike is not recommended for younger children, as it can be tough to climb in sand. This trail is more suited for experienced hikers who enjoy getting a little rugged from time to time.

When you see it...you'll know.

You'll stop and take in the beauty for a moment, breathlessly beholding the crystalline blue shores of a lake that never seems to end. The trail and its splendid finale are accessible all year long, but in the warmer months, it truly comes alive.

Cowles Bog Trail was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1965, and we can see why it earned the honor.

The incredibly diverse plant life past which you'll trek, the multitude of ecosystems you'll observe, and the incredible view of the largest lake in the United States all warrant recognition for how beautiful they really are.

To reach the lake, you've got to do the long hike. Unfortunately, you can't take shortcuts and still be rewarded this time around. But trust us, it's worth it.

There aren't a lot of people who choose to stick it out until the end, and chances are if you get there early enough (or during the week), you might just get the beach all to yourself for a while. Talk about tranquility.

Cowles Bog Trail in Indiana is easily one of the best hiking trails in Indiana. It's open daily, from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., and dogs are welcome on a leash. There is no cost of admission; this Hoosier gem is totally free to enjoy. The most heavily-tracked months are from May to October, though we can promise you the views will take your breath away even in the coldest of months. There's nothing quite like seeing all of the plants in bloom, though. For more information, including information about the region and any potential closures, please visit the NPS.gov website.

If you'd like to read more about trails in the beautiful state of Indiana, here are our picks for 8 of the best hiking trails in Indiana.

Have you ever visited the Cowles Bog Trail in Indiana? Did you make it all the way to the lake view at the end? Tell us your stories (and share your pictures with us) in the comments below!