Day Hike at the Warren Dunes – May 26, 2013
One way to try and escape the crowds in busy Warren Dunes State Park is by hiking the north trails through the Great Warren Dunes Natural Area. To get to the trailhead you leave the main entrance of the park and turn left on to Red Arrow Highway. After driving north for about 1.5 miles turn left on Floral Lane. Parking for the trails is just a down on the right at the group campsites.
This area is a nice mix of open dunes and rolling hardwood forest. There are few different trails to hike on this end of the park. We chose to make a small loop out of the 2 trails that head out to the beach.
With maps in hand we were ready to start.
Starting at the parking area off from Floral Lane and walked down to the end of the paved road to trail marker #9. From here we followed the trail up along the top of a dune ridge and out to the beach by going: 8, 13, 7, 14 and then out to the beach. After playing on the beach we headed back to the car by way of: 14, 13, 8 and 9. On older maps this route is labeled the Red Squirrel and Blue Jay Trails.
For a printable PDF of the trail map above click here >>
Heading up the sandy trail to junction #13. There was not a trail marker at this intersection, but the turn off was easy to find.
After the junction the trail follows along the top of a nice ridge before dropping down to marker #7.
From here the trail drops down in between the dunes for a little ways and then starts climbing up and out into the open dunes.
Out in the open dunes the trail is soft and sandy.
Heading over the small dune on the way out to the beach.
Other than a few other hikers passing by we had this nice beach all to ourselves.
The beach here is beautiful white sand with smooth stones scattered on top.
Reid was happy get out of the backpack carrier and run on the beach with his “pp toes” out. (translation: piggy toes)
The trail back is shorter, but the first half is a steady climb up a soft and sandy path.
Wild flowers in the dune grass in the Great Warren Dunes Natural Area.
Looking back down the trail and out to Lake Michigan near the highpoint of the trail.
Click here to view a larger version of this image >>
We usually let Reid out for the last part of the hike and as soon as his feet hit the ground he was off running down the trail.
I forgot to turn on the GPS, but I think this hike was around 2 miles long.
For more on hiking in Warren Dunes: Explorer’s Guide 50 Hikes in Michigan: Sixty Walks, Day Trips, and Backpacks in the Lower Peninsula
The Warren Dunes State Park Map – If it does not show above click here >>
Directions to the north trailhead >>
Our full report from our camping trip to Warren Dunes State Park >>
If you are going to be outside hiking with children under 3 years old a good backpack carrier is a must. We started with a cheap off brand carrier, but quickly realized we needed to upgrade to the Kelty. The adjustable hip belt on the Kelty was the only one we found that was long enough for taller people. The integrated sun shade and side screen also helps keep the bugs off your little hiker.
Search for Kelty Child Carriers on Amazon >>
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