Outbound Collective logo

Camp at Warren Dunes State Park

Sawyer, Michigan

4.0/5
based on 1 reviews

Description

Added by Brian Hetzer

Sand dunes reaching 260 feet in elevation. Lake Michigan. Stunning beauty, peace, and solitude (unless you're foolish enough to attempt a summer visit).

If you wish to enjoy Warren Dunes in peace and natural solitude, you'll arrive at the campground outside of the Summer season. You can make your reservationshere. Upon arrival you'll decide between the "modern" or "semi-modern" camping loops. The semi-modern loop provides vault toilets, water spigots, fire rings, and nothing else. After scouting out and choosing a site in the modern loop you'll find you have two electric outlets, fire ring (with NO grate on which to cook), picnic table and a wondrously comfortable foundation of packed sand on which to pitch your tent. You'll also find very well maintained modern restrooms and private, individual showers. If adventuring with family, the restroom facilities alone are worth the extra few dollars over the semi-modern loop, as the facilities in the rest of the state park are nothing short of abysmal.

A very short walk to the North end of the campground reveals the trailhead to the Mount Randall Loop trail (4 miles). Another short walk will lead you to one of the most unusual geographic features I've encountered. A narrow spit of sand reaches up through the trees roughly 250 feet in elevation in such a short distance that for most of the climb your nose will be almost as close to the sand as your toes. The climb is shockingly exhausting but upon reaching the peak, a panorama of the dunes and Lake Michigan awaits. Another deceptively long mile over multiple dunes and you're on the beach.

It cannot be stressed enough that having experienced Warren Dunes in October, I would never consider visiting in Summer. On the October Sunday of our arrival, perhaps 3/4 of the sites were occupied. The grounds were lively, children ran freely between sites, and it was vibrant but slightly crowded. Come noon on Monday there were no more than 10 occupied sites throughout the entire campground. It was stunningly peaceful for the remainder of the week.

Read More

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Camping
Bathrooms
Beach
Easy Parking
Family Friendly
Food Nearby
Forest
Groups
Lake
Picnic Area
Scenic

Camp at Warren Dunes State Park Reviews

It was an amazing trip. The dunes are family friendly, which it is not overly adventurous, but it is a start. It is quite high, and other activities to do over there. However, the only problem are black flies, which it is what I heard of and not surprised. Sometimes, state parks get overly crowded and neglected of their cleanliness.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

New Buffalo Public Beach

Hike the Glacier Flats Trail at Spicer Lake Nature Reserve

Walk the Pier at Silver Beach

Stroll along the Beach at Beverly Shores

Hike the 3 Dune Challenge

Indiana Dunes Trail 8 And 7 Loop