Warren Dunes Beach Trail is a 3.6 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Sawyer, Michigan that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Forested dunes give way to open sandy beaches and miles of coastline to explore. Warren Dunes State Park covers a large expanse of forested sand dunes, as well as several miles of Lake Michigan coastline. It's an interesting ecosystem, with small ponds held back within the dune fields, and constantly shifting open sand on the beach. South side beach is on private property. Thought the dunes are held in place by the roots of trees and beach grasses, the wind is constantly seeking a purchase to move sand onshore. In places, this leads to "blowouts" where the dunes are breached and the sand blown inland.
In the early spring, watch out for hidden pockets of snow buried in the dunes. Winter snowdrifts can easily be swallowed up by shifting sand as the beach begins to dry out in the spring. The sand acts to insulate the snow, allowing these buried pockets to last weeks after the area appears snow-free. It's a unique experience to hike in warm spring weather, only to have your foot punch through and sink to the knee in unexpected snow!
October 20, 2020Views were absolutely gorgeous! Trail was not marked & gps took us all over the place.
October 10, 2020
September 21, 2020August 20, 2020I'm glad I had my monopod/pole, wish I'd remembered my baskets. Very peaceful, didn't see folks until I got back to the lake. Trail isn't clear on dune, dunes, it wasn't a problem. I walked thre dune in & took my shoes off for the way back.
June 19, 2020April 23, 2020Don’t judge my timing: as there were many things to see, do, and gather. Such a beautiful stretch of Lake Michigan.
September 9, 2019beach portion is nice, easy and trails are apparent. south side beach is private property and no trespassing sign posted. for north end, there is no apparent trail to the dune in this map. there are other dunes that has more established and/or officials trails to choose .
April 14, 2019Love the beach walking.. one of my favorite places to be.. great therapy for a stressed mind!
December 24, 2018Great hike, sandy so sport sandals best. A couple signs missing but worth the experience. The part on the lakeshore was best.
August 13, 2018love the dunes would love to visit again
July 29, 2018I am a Michigan resident and a veteran. I was told today at the end of July that I would have to buy a $16 season pass to walk a 3.9 mile trail once. Sorry but I think that’s a bit ridiculous
July 18, 20184 stars for the hike. Moderate maybe pushing it a bit. Nice marked trails with some elevated climbs. Views of Lake Michigan are fabulous. Warren dunes state park is absolutely a must with the beach and dunes! Great place to spend an entire day.
May 2, 2018my first time here and I loved it.
April 13, 2018Amazing trails with great views. Spent a lot of good times in those woods.
January 15, 2018Wind was strong so the waves were fun. Other wise simple hike.
October 13, 2017Cool
June 4, 2017
First to ReviewGreat beach trail. There are dunes and trails to choose from. The parking lot is large enough to accommodate RV parking, and at the very north end of the parking lots there is a dog beach section.
February 23, 2021December 19, 2020November 27, 2020October 13, 2020September 29, 2020September 25, 2020September 16, 2020August 11, 2020July 30, 2020July 15, 2020
