Michigan Sand Dunes

The Complete Guide to Michigan Sand Dunes
by Jim DuFresne
2005

"But what sets us apart from any other state, what has become our natural trademark, are sand dunes, those grassy-covered mounds and hills of drifting sand created by glaciers, carved by the wind. More than 275,000 acres of dune formations have been identified in Michigan, making it the largest collection of freshwater dunes in the world."

This guide, by a prolific Michigan outdoor author, describes 47 dune parks and preserves in Michigan. All but six of them are on Lake Michigan and nearly half are close to Kalamazoo. Each chapter includes a description of the park's features, facilities and activities, along with a park map, often with topographic lines to show the dunes. Directions to each area are included and many parks are illustrated with black & white photos.

Lake Michigan Sand Dunes (Southern half)

1. Warren Dunes State Park
Bridgman
camping

2. Weko Beach
Bridgman
camping

3. Grand Mere State Park
Stevensville

4. Van Buren State Park
South Haven
camping

5. Mount Baldhead & Oval Beach
Saugatuck
chain ferry

6. Saugatuck Dunes State Park
Saugatuck

7. Laketown Beach
Holland

8. Holland State Park
Holland
camping

9. Tunnel County Park
Holland

10. Kirk County Park
Grand Haven

11. Rosy Mound Natural Area
Grand Haven

12. Kitchel-Lindquist Dunes
Ferrysburg

13. PJ Hoffmaster State Park
Muskegon
camping

14. Kruse Park
Muskegon

15. Muskegon State Park
Muskegon
camping

16. Duck Lake State Park
Muskegon

17. Meinert County Park
Montague
camping

18. Silver Lake State Park
Mears
camping
dune rides

19. Charles Mears State Park
Pentwater
camping
kites

There are, of course, many dunes further north along Lake Michigan and this guide describes those as well. Besides the individual park descriptions, the author includes sidebars on related features, such as the Paw Paw, Lakeshore Connector bike trail between Holland & Grand Haven.


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