Warren Dunes State Park

Some of the dunes at Warren Dunes State Park tower 240 feet above Lake Michigan.

The magnificent sand dunes for which this park is named were formed thousands of years ago by receding glaciers scraping continental bedrock. Scoured by the ice and eroded by wind and water, the rock was reduced to sand grains.

Today, some of the dunes tower 240 feet above Lake Michigan and they work their magic on hikers and hang gliders.

Mount Randall, in particular, offers spectacular views of the lake and countryside. Randall is a dune in motion as it is slowly creeping eastward because winds and foot traffic keep vegetation from taking hold.

Oak, maple, ash, tulip tree and cottonwoods grow in the dune forest, offering food and shelter for deer, fox, opossum and squirrel. Raccoons frequent Painterville Creek in search of its clams and crayfish. Wildflowers, including white trillium, Dutchman's breeches, jack-in-the-pulpit and trout lily, spring from the soil.

Facilities include both modern and rustic camping, as well as three mini-cabins for rent. Kayaks and jet skis are available for rent.

Nearby are Warren Woods State park (311 acres) and Grand Mere State Park (985 acres). Both parks offer additional hiking trails.

Warren Woods trails wind through a beech and maple forest; Grand Mere trails traverse beautiful dunes, which lead to the pristine sugar sand shoreline of Lake Michigan. There is no camping at either park.