There Are More Dunes Than There Are Miles Along This Beautiful Hiking Trail In Michigan
The Great Lake State has a unique ecosystem of freshwater lakes and amazing sand dunes. Michiganders love walking the Lake Michigan shoreline and exploring the surrounding dunes. If you’re looking for a stunning trek to get your heart racing, you’ll enjoy this dune hike in Bridgman, Michigan.
Warren Dunes State Park is located in Southwest Michigan and a little over an hour outside of Kalamazoo. The state park is nearly 2,000 acres with three miles of shoreline and six miles of hiking trails.
The Warren Dunes Trail is a gorgeous 4.9-mile loop that is considered a moderately challenging route. The trail takes an hour and 40 minutes to finish and will give you a grand tour of Warren Dunes State Park including the beach and forest trails.
But perhaps the best part of the trail is walking amongst Lake Michigan’s beautiful sand dunes. The trail is breathtaking and is a popular place for local hikers to explore.
The loop trail takes you across diverse landscapes including dunes, forests, the shore, and along a boardwalk. There are small inclines throughout the hike and make sure to bring enough water and sunscreen for your trip.
If you’re hiking in the summer, you can wear a swimsuit and cool off by swimming in the refreshing lake. While you’re walking on the beach, keep your eyes peeled for beach glass which is commonly found in this area.
The trail is open year-round for walkers but if you would like to avoid the snow your best bet would be to visit between March and November. A Michigan Recreation Passport is required to park your car within the state park but bicyclists and walkers without a vehicle can visit for free.
Emily Tieman is a lifelong Michigander and has a love for locally owned small businesses. She is a freelance writer for Only In Your State and has her own vintage content creator business.
