If you're looking for a peaceful getaway, Grand Mere State Park is a hidden gem that delivers on all fronts. The park offers several trails that take you through dense forests and towering sand dunes which lead to some stunning overlooks and beaches of Lake Michigan. It's a bit of a trek to get to the water, but once you do, the lakefront is beautiful and less commercialized than other spots. Definitely recommend Grand Mere State Parkin for anyone in the area looking for a peaceful outdoor escape. read more

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Path to Lake Michigan was flooded, water over your ankles. No easy path to Lake Michigan. A hiker would love the up/down sand dunes.

Went on a windy day. The hike is tough but well worth it! I said never again during- and we are coming back to go camping in two weeks. Beautiful- peaceful- quiet- GREAT rocks if you like rock hounding. Didn't want to leave. read more

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Beautiful park, lovely trails, gorgeous beaches along Lake Michigan, but HOLY HANNAH those sand dunes are insane! I felt like I was in the Sand Snake Scene in Beetlejuice - they were never ending and a beast to navigate through. lol Overall a lovely day at the part and would definitely visit again. read more

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I enjoyed the trail we did at Grand Mere, the beginning bits of the trail started paved, but soon you got into the sandy dunes. Unlike Warren Dunes though, there was always a ton of dune grass situated along the sides of the trail, so that definitely helped to keep the sand from getting too uncomfortable for my dog. If you're following a trail that requires you to walk along the shore for a long period of time, I'd be careful though. When we got to the beach, looking in either direction up and down the shoreline showed us that a lot of the shoreline had eroded away and/or the water levels were covering the shoreline completely in spots. So we were forced to modify our trail and essentially follow the same route back to the parking lot rather than walk along the nonexistent shoreline a bit before looping back up the dunes. The dune climbs here were not too bad and there were options for people who wanted to climb more dunes if they felt like it and meet up at a point further down in the trail again. Definitely very customizable, which I appreciated, and much smaller and less trafficked than its neighboring state park, Warren Dunes. Our trail was supposed to be 3.6 miles, but because we couldn't do the shoreline loop part of the hike and turned it into an out & back instead, it ended up only being 2 miles long. Easy to moderate for sure and also very dog-friendly! read more

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Any coastline that involves Lake Michigan means you are in for a treat and Grand Mere State Park does not disappoint. If you want to get away from people and have a more secluded experience with nature - then you must visit Grand Mere State Park. No campground amenities and no running water toilets - good ol' fashioned out houses. There were some picnic benches and covered picnic area. You can bring your four-legged friend. There is little signage/directions on where to go and how to get there, so we were winging it. We could not find direct access to Lake Michigan from the park without hiking up and down trails and sand dunes. Since this is a state park you should have a recreation passport. There was no check point/entrance when we went, so I assume you go off the honor system and hope you don't get caught for not having one. The trail we took was the Baldtop loop and whoa - it is a 2-mile hike which does not sound hard, but the terrain is sand dune after sand dune. The trail starts out with pavement but then slowly starts to become dirt and less and less manicured. The trail is beautiful with flowers, dense woods, and butterflies. The trail ends at a sand dune - that is uphill. We asked families who were coming back from the dunes if the walk was worth it. We were told absolutely yes but to expect a workout getting there and yes you should expect a cardio workout. Younger kiddos may struggle with this hike or if you aren't in the greatest of shape. When you finally finish your 2-mile hike you end up on the Lake Michigan shoreline. The water is clean and refreshing. The shoreline is not terribly wide, but it goes on forever it seems. We enjoyed the beach for a bit and walked the coast. Not a lot of people on the beach or really anyone to be seen. I wish we were more prepared for the whole day, but we went on a whim and made the most of it. But with all being said this is a unique and beautiful state park and you can thank glaciers for the beauty! Pro-tip - based of the Grand Mere State Park - "The shortest route to the Great Lake is from the end of Grand Mere Road, where there is a trail sign and parking for a half dozen cars. From here the beach is a quarter-mile walk over a few steep sand dunes." read more

Grand Mere is a gorgeous park but what a hike to get to the beach! We went to the dog park side and treked not far but far enough by the time we got to the beach. Lot's of dunes to climb and the sand was beyond hot, so hot it burned my toes. Not really what I want to put my dog through just to get some water action. Other than all that it was fun. We spent an hour or so combing the beach and enjoying the unseasonably warm water. The view is absolutely gorgeous. It amazes me the variance in shorelines from Wisconsin through Michigan. This beach had a rocky shore and dropped off very quickly to waist deep water. The water was crystal clear though and it was an enjoyable time once we got there. FYI - Hike time is around 15 minutes with some major sand dunes to trek up and over. So pack light or wear a backpack cause the people I saw with strollers and coolers struggled. Once there the wow factor is worth it! Absolutley gorgeous views of the lake. read more

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Damn that hike up the first sand dune was didn't expect it to be that steep. First timers here in Michigan, gotta say it is worth it!!!

A favorite walking spot. Gorgeous trees, stunning views, dunes, water - it's a beautiful place.

Shesshhh... if you wanna hike sand dunes this is the place to do it. Me, I was loooking for a beach... great hike and exercise trail, about a lil under a mile each way. Serious hiking up and down the dunes but sadly no beach. Just the slope of the last dune leading into the lake. read more

Grand Mere State Park - Parks Near Me - Stevensville, Michigan

One of my nicknames is Mere, so I had to stop. We wanted to do the 1/2 mile trail to the beach. The trail was paved at the beginning, but quickly descended in quality and became extremely mucky. There was standing water covering the trail. We mucked through it for a bit but it got to the point where it would've covered our feet. There was no where on the side of the trail to go due to high grasses, so we turned back. Further, there are no maps or signage indicating what it what here. We could only see the two trails and guess their lengths based on our Garmin's GPS. I recommend saving your time and heading over to Warren Dunes instead. read more

With the high lake levels in 2019, the once wide beach has been cut back all the way to historic high water mark and then some. As this is a dog beach the primary users do not care very much, in fact it good keeping everyone on the beach and away from the taller grasses and real state birds. As if June 15 the all stand step at the end of most trails to the beach is 4-25 feet high. Worse case after a storm, Do not use the direct to the beach north entrance next to the houses (Grand Mere Dr), there is no beach there anymore, the path through to the beach south of the houses the beach is dry again. The west entrance parking lot was dry the last time I visited it. (7337 Thornton Dr, Stevensville, MI 49127) Honestly the state could correct soften the situation with a bulldozer, but the wind and waves will once again change the michigan shore. Everything with the dune conservation is what happens is what happens according to park officals who do not want to loose more bulldozers to the sand. Bring you dog, a very long leash and know your dog and the crowd. There will be a gang of friends for the 4 legged kids to play with at almost any time of day until mid September. Talk to the other humans on the beach about the local dog friendly breweries. read more

I actually debated rating this park because I do not want anyone to go here and I want it all to myself!!! The trail system is extensive and is where I run all of my long runs. The park also comes with a rich Native American history that probably only a local would know about because there are no descriptive posters or signs anywhere. Sometimes I will be deep in the trail system and hear a drum. Once I thought I was going crazy, but then I realized it was an actual Native American man playing a drum around his neck. Some of the other reviews on this park talked about the long walk to the beach. Well, it is a natural park with large sand dunes and if you are too lazy to walk a half mile to the beach, then just go to Silver Beach. This place means alot to me and my dog. If I even say the initials G.M. she goes nuts!! read more

Grand Mere State Park - Parks Near Me - Stevensville, Michigan

What a perfect hidden treasure. Since moving to the Midwest from south Florida almost four years ago, I have rolled my eyes hard each time someone says "But we have lakes!" when I say I miss the beach. That is, until visiting Lake Michigan, and this park specifically. Yes, this is a beast of a hike if you're not a regularly active person. It's a 1 mile hike, half a mile on a paved, flat trail, half a mile climbing dunes under the hot sun. Wear sneakers for the hike, if only because the sand part is very hot. Once you get to the beach, however, you are rewarded with a quiet, gorgeous stretch of sand, rocks, and lake for days. We usually bring enough stuff to keep us fed and occupied for the entire day (if you're gonna make that hike, you might as well spend the whole day there). I don't always love that so many dogs are off-leash (we always bring a stake and rope for ours) but we've never had a problem! It's honestly nicer than a lot of the beaches I've been to in Florida. Bring bug spray for the mosquitos and horseflies. Can't wait to go back!! read more

Grand Mere State Park - The Lake - Parks Near Me - Stevensville, Michigan

First, the trails here are no longer flooded. This was a big issue according to many reviews we read. We parked in a gravel lot, there is an obvious main path with a few side paths that jut out along the way. You start walking through a foresty area (which is muddy and soggy), where I was attacked by my fair share of bugs. Abruptly, the land changes to sand and you have to climb a steep sand hill- quite the workout, if I may say so myself (we saw a few people really struggle with this, and I would imagine dogs would too)! Again, there is a main path that will take you to the beach with various inclines and declines, and there are some side paths that go up even higher up a dune. A lot of fun to be had on that if you like climbing! Keep on following the main sand path and you will get to a small beach and Lake Michigan! The beach itself didn't have a ton of dry sand, its a shallow beach where the waves go up almost to the grass and dunes. There were spaces for families to set up shop, though, it's just not a vast availability. What really blew my mind is how quiet the grassy dune area absorbed the sound of the lake... it's like you don't think you'll make it to the lake and then all of a sudden you are there. Once you're about 10 feet back in the grass though, you can't hear the water anymore! The area was was so pretty, parking was easy, the beach was decent. I'd come back for sure! read more

I generally like this beach but there are a few things to know before you go: Yes, it's a bit of a hike to the beach and you have to walk a bit on some dunes. It's a good work out and who among us couldn't use some exercise? Bring a pair of shoes that won't easily fill up with sand and take your time, you'll be fine. I see people hauling coolers to the beach all the time, it's not my bag but it can be done. You do need a Michigan recreation passport thingamabob to park here. I swear the first time I came here we bought it in the parking lot. On our second trip a pay station was nowhere to be found and we had to drive back to Warren Dunes to pay or risk getting a ticket. This was a stupid and annoying waste of time, but parking tickets are a stupid waste of money, so you decide for yourself what to do. Anyway, the beach is certainly less crowded than the Warren Dunes. The lack of trash cans or facilities is a bit of a bummer and if you forget something in your car then that's going to suck, but it's the price you pay for not being packed on the beach like sardines in a tin can. It's dog friendly (yay!), people usually clean up, but not always (booo). read more

Tremendous for a winter walk. Stunning views. A great workout indeed with all of those hills. read more

Please ignore any negative reviews about this place. Let me tell you something. This isn't the 3 mile trek to Sleeping Bear Dunes up north. It's a fifteen minute walk through the woods and two small dunes before the beach. I would not call this a hike. I will say this: because of the reviews we did know and were planning to travel light. We had a bag that consisted of three towels: two humans and a pooch, two bottles of water, phones, id, and that's about it. What more do you need? You're going to a beach. Eat before and after. Also bug spray. though the bugs weren't bad. But I always suggest it as well as sunscreen. It's absolutely gorgeous and remote. It is a beautiful beach set with dunes and woods behind. It is not crowded at all. We went on Labor Day weekend, on Sunday at 9:30 am and there were 15 people and about 10 dogs. Seems that if you have a dog, you bring it here!! Awesome. Pongo, our black lab, would give this place 10 stars. He swam, he ran up and down the beach, ran into the woods and up and down the dunes like a champ. He adored the water and was excited to see other pooches there. We went there to wear him out. We conquered. That dog slept the whole way back to Indianapolis!!! Anywho, if you want a quick beach with a beautiful walk, come here. It doesn't have the crowds Warren Dunes has and the DNR is definitely keeping this primative and remote to allow those of us who enjoy real nature and peace and quiet to come and relax. Listen to the water. Enjoy the sounds of Lake Michigan.. read more

It is really beautiful here however today, I went there for a bit of peace and exercise, and while standing on a dune at around 10AM I heard 2 gunshots. Totally ruined the moment, I no longer felt peaceful but scared. My dog was freaked out so I decided to leave. While walking the trail heading out, there were 2 men with guns 20 feet away from me. I said "please don't shoot, we're walking here", one man said "yeah, I see you". I saw a sign later at a different place that said hunting thru 3/1 which means they are 5 days beyond that date if the same dates apply. I cannot understand why hunters are anywhere near walking trails. Hunting should not be allowed in parks with people walking around. Rather than finding nature and peace, I was terrified and anxiety filled, ugh. read more

Awesome quaint state park with beach to run with your dog, unless you have a yelping hot mess, like I do. There is a Camp area, with picnic tables at one of the entrances... Then after that...there is about a 1/2 mile of trail...or more if you take one of the sub-trails through the brush and trees. This is cool if you have your running shoes. If you want to go to the beach, you have to go through the main walking trail...which is numbered at intervals of about 25-30 yards... After the end of the trail...there' sand....lots and lots of sand... it's hell. It's about a 1/2-mile to 3/4 mile of steep, hot and humid sand dunes....depending on what day you go....but it's awesome if you are fit or want a challenge. Note: Don't carry a lot of stuff with you...leave the big heavy ice coolers, beach umbrellas, and food in the car. If you do decide to lug all that stuff with you...be ready to climb like you you've never climbed before. After going through the dunes...you'll finally see the beach...you'll see all the brave people who actually got through the dunes...not alot... which is cool. The beach is good, clean, no sea weed...a little rocky in the water in certain areas...not too bad...but bring your beach shoes, just in case. There are a few friendly dogs and people running with them along the shoreline...cool....but if your dog is a yapper...be prepared to be sneered at by the rest of the beachgoers...embarrassing. And yes, there are sand flies that like to bite....but it depends...some days you might get them...some days you might miss them. It all depends on the weather and your luck. Our group did not feel any bites this time around, in August...but previously, in June, we did get bit. A great state park and you will have a great day at the beach and a work out! read more

The reviews for this place make me think of Bill Clinton. I guess it all depends upon your definition of the word "hike." My definition lies somewhere in between Stephanie D's and Shannon's... closer to Stephanie's, with a 40-something reality check. To the person below who threw out "if you are too lazy to walk a half mile to the beach" comment - perspective is awesome, and so is considering the perspective of others without judgement. Let me just say that while I have somehow found myself to be middle-aged, I am no slouch when it comes to outdoor exercise. I have been a runner for several years, and I was winded at the top of the first dune. It was hot up there, and the sand is deep... and I had a chest cold. My husband, who is one of those superman/energizer bunny types who has completed two Ironmans, was also slightly winded... and that is truly saying something. My dogs were winded. Are there larger dunes and more difficult hikes along the Lake Michigan shoreline? Yes! There are... but don't let the reviewers who are obviously enjoying a good scoff over Shannon's day of hell fool you into thinking this is an easy walk in the park. These are steep and winding, potential slaps in the face for those who are not prepared. Are they Sleeping Bear? No, people, they are not Sleeping Bear. These are also not small, nicely behaving, rolling hills of sand. At the end of this little hike, you are rewarded with about a mile of beautiful and pristine Lake Michigan shoreline. Because of the varying opinions on the definition of "hike" and accessibility, the beach seems to be largely ignored by the stroller pushing, cooler toting crowd. My advice to those who want to visit this beach: pack lightly. This is not the beach to come to if you have 10 kids, 5 stuffed coolers, a beach chair for everyone, blankets galore, sand toys, and a boom box. If you are looking for an easily accessible Lake Michigan beach, with sand dunes, cut your road trip short and head for Indiana Dunes. Otherwise, it is best to leave all of that stuff at home and travel light. Remember to bring water, and be prepared to stop and rest on the way up. If you have mobility issues, or are not used to strenuous exercise, this may not be a fun place for you to visit. There are signs posted at the park entrance that say you need a permit to access, but there was no ranger in sight, and no honor system opportunity to leave some cash at the shack and grab a permit on your own. The wooded portion of the path has potential for bugs. I got a couple of mosquito bites on my way through, so if that is a concern for you, bring some spray. If you bring your dog, remember bags to clean up after them, and be prepared to carry those bags out with you until you can toss them in a trash bin. Bring some water for Fido, as well. There were a few other families with dogs on the beach that day, including a (probably local) woman who had three gigantic, not so friendly dogs, who she insisted upon letting run off leash. Which leads me to digress for a second... Dog people, if you have three dogs, and one of them is a jerk, leave Jerk home on off leash day! Some dogs just can't handle public off-leash time, and that's ok. What's not okay is forcing your furry a-hole on everyone else at a public place, expecting us all to scurry past you while you are struggling to restrain your dog because he loses his mind every time a small dog comes within a half mile. I have four dogs... the two that turn into jerks in public get their exercise elsewhere - I do not insist upon taking them to places that their temperament can't handle. Know this: I go to the beach to slow down and mosey, and that's what I'm going to do. So, local lady with the gigantic, jerk dogs who wanted to eat my well-behaved chihuahuas last Friday (it is possible to be a nice, quiet, friendly chihuahua) -- I have a right to be on that beach as much as you do. Know that if I see you again, no amount of your yelling at me to hurry up past you is going to make me pick up my pace, so save your breath and be patient while I mosey, or take your jerk dog home. I understand that, somehow, you feel that by moseying with my dogs at a public park, I am standing in the way of your precious jerks weekly water frolicking time... but FYI-- YOU, and your jerk dog are the problem... not me. Anyway... There is no lifeguard at this beach, so swim at your own risk. There are also no bathrooms, and no concession. This beach is just you, and the sand and surf -- perfect, Pure Michigan. read more

Grand Mere State Park - Parks Near Me - Stevensville, Michigan

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This is a lovely undeveloped state park in western Michigan, with a beutiful stretch of beach. We chose to go here yesterday do to a desire to take the dogs to a dog-friendly beach that was not a designated dog park (I disapprove of the latter), and despit my strong reservations about swimming in Lake Michigan. However, we had a very bad experience here yesterday which has more to do with lack of information provided by Michigan's DNR website than with the park itself: (1) In order to get to the beach, you need to walk over about 1/2 mile on an easy trail, but then take a rather steep walk over a sand dune. This was difficult for us as it was hot, we are both overweight and we were carrying a cooler. It should have been mentioned in the web site. (2) After the struggle to get over the dunes, we could only stay a few minutes at the beach despite lovely clear warm water. This was do to large swarms of sand flies which stung us terribly. One of my dogs had an allergic reaction to the stings and we were very afraid she was going to die. We practically had to carry here (she weighs 60 pounds) over the dune to get her out of there. Again, the DNR could have put an alert out about this, especially as I have never encountered these when I have been to Warren Dunes. Even without the dogs with us, they were biting too much for humans to be comfortable. So I give the park five stars (it really is beautiful and would make a lovely hike in autumn), and the lack on information provided by Michaigan's DNR one star, averaging out to three. read more

Just read Shannons review and laughed hysterically. Shannon,I was outfitted with more than Gerbil weight & I forgot my flame-thrower. DAMN, How I wish i'd listened. The beach was gorgeous by the way. Glorious white-caps, whispering sea grass, & powder white sand. But lest I forget again, Heed others warnings! We were assaulted by Horseflies, dive bombing mosquitoes, swarms of gnats who rose up in clouds over and over again. This was all within the first 15 minutes. None, and I mean NONE of the trail heads were marked. We walked for over an hour and decided to give it up at that point. (my normally hardy 8 year old twins were sobbing ) Both of the kids had gnats in their eyes and swelling Horse fly bites. After turning around and walking back 3/4 of the way we came in, several people were humping along red-faced and toting beach chairs. We decided to follow. Well, let me just say that 3 ENORMOUS, scorching hot, dune climbs later we glimpsed the beach, upon which I began running, plunged in and hoped for a quick death. only venture here if you Really, Really feel desperate for Lake Michigan read more

Unfortunately, the state doesn't keep up with the maintenance at this state park (trash, restrooms, grooming trails, etc). However, it's a great place to go to find a secluded beach. To get there, you have to work a little with a 1 mile-ish hike. We got there early before it got too hot. The dunes are amazing! read more

Absolutely beautiful slice of nature with short trails through woods and brush that hug two deep blue lakes, leading up to grassy sand dunes that have a serene view of the lake and surrounding landscapes. Perfect place to relax and lay out a blanket. Relatively tiny state park, with very few people (at least on a Sunday in February). Only one outhouse at the beginning of the trail, so check in with your body. Dog friendly. Parking available. No trash receptacles. No historical background information. Some trails can get flooded but you should still be able to get to the beach. Plan accordingly and enjoy! read more

We took our dog on vacation to Michigan with us this year, staying in St Joseph because of the proximity to two dog-allowing beaches: Grand Mere State Park, and Hagar township. Two days before our arrival, Hagar banned dogs, so off to Grand Mere we went. The beach only had a few other groups on it. It's mostly sandy with some rocks, enough to be great for rock-finding but still comfortable. It's gorgeous. Now, the reason the beach is empty, is the long, hard walk. Two massive dunes to walk up and down, one smaller, plus a long straight flat walk through the forest. Make sure you have on bug spray, the mosquitos are brutal. We were surprised by the difficulty, it's not mentioned on the DNR website at all. But, if you're up to the hike, the reward is well worth it. read more

We just got back from a day at Grand Mere State Park. I would recommend this location to almost anyone, but I would like to offer some advice. 1. If the day is hot wear SHOES not sandals. The walk over the dune and down to the water was excruciating. Everyone's feet got burned. 2. Take only what you really need. It is challenging enough to get to this part of the lake, no need to carry a whole bunch of extra weight. 3. Be prepared to carry young children. My 3 1/2 year old who can usually hold his own needed some help getting over the dune. That being said, we had a great time. The beach was clean and not over-crowded, there was a fantastic sandbar out just a little, and lots of beautiful rocks. read more

So happy to have a beach my dog can enjoy.... The walk was not as bad as I was told, maybe 15 min. From parking lot to water ..... We only had to cross 2 big dunes. read more

Grand Mere State Park - Achilles digging to China! - Parks Near Me - Stevensville, Michigan

AWESOME VIEW, AWESOME BEACH.. awesome everything! We took our two golden retrievers there last weekend and oh my... it was the most wonderful time they ever had at a beach! The beach wasn't crowded, there were several people there (some were walking their dogs)... and the sand dunes were amazing. We let the dogs swimming and playing. However, be careful... we saw a sign that somebody lost their sheltie dog when they were there. Don't let them run away... read more

Grand Mere State Park - Parks Near Me - Stevensville, Michigan

DO NOT CALL TGE DNR AND BOOK A CAMPING SITE!! there is no camping at this Grand Mere!!!!! The grand mere they book you at is 141 miles north at another grand mere. There is a park where this map shows, but there in no camping here! Yelp should remove the DNR number off this link! read more

My wife and I visited Grand Mere State Park for the 1st time yesterday. As another review noted, the info provided by the DNR, and even the person running the little shack at entry, leaves much to be desired. What was described to us yesterday as a "little dune" was NOT such. If you're in good, athletic shape, the climbing and walk isn't too bad. If you're in questionable shape and don't do much physically strenuous activity, it will be hellish. Also, WEAR SHOES!! Flip-flops will still result in BURNING feet! Unbelievably hot sand and rarely a shady spot to cool your feet. If you're semi-well prepared, you'll have a fine time. The dunes are absolutely beautiful and offer spectacular views if you're up for climbing them. If you climb them, do yourself a favor and take your camera up with you. The beach is well-kept and clean, and at the waters edge it's rocky but the rocks quickly give way to a sandy bottom around 10 feet into the lake. If you know what to expect before going, you'll have a much better time. Population on the beach itself isn't very dense at all, probably due to the walk/hike one has to conquer to get there. I'll definitely return, take the kids, but my wife probably won't. I'm athletic and very active and the climbing and walk were far from unbearable, while my wife doesn't share the same perspective(?). Beautiful and fun? Most definitely, only, you have to work a bit for it. Lastly, the water yesterday was VERY clean - we were surprised at the clarity of it. read more

At the beach there are no porta-potties and very few parking spots. The local police ticket like crazy around here. Be assured you'll get a parking ticket one way or another. This used to be a good place to find beach glass and interesting rocks, but now, you see all kinds of people stooped over the water's edge, looking for goodies. People don't pick up after their dogs, sometimes, so that's one goodie you don't want to step in. Definitely time to move on to less "discovered" territory. read more

Haha. Poor Shannon. There is a trail right off the parking lot. You only go over a couple little dunes and your at the beach. You took the longest and hardest way out there. I love this place. Warren Dunes is more of a challenge if you want it to be. But we don't go for the beach. We go for the hikes. Just a bonus half way because you can rest at the lake. read more

I've hiked the trails in the park a handful of times now, both in the summer and winter--I'm sure it'll be a beautiful hike in the fall as well. There is a little bit of a hike over large sand dunes to get to the beach, but it's a great workout and a gorgeous view! I love how quiet and relatively untouched the beach seems compared to the busier beaches in the area. I'd recommend not hiking by yourself if you're a newcomer though, there are very few signs and it would be easy to get lost in the dunes if you didn't know your way! read more

Smaller than Warren Dunes, but way better. Off the path, and super dog friendly. You have to trek to get to the beach, which is apart of its charm. Only those who can make the trek get in. Oh, and its free! read more

Be prepared for quite a hike to the beach! The main entrance was temporarily closed to parking, but if you continue down the road there is another entrance-single lane dirt road, has sign for park hours posted that you can see right as you turn in. It is a very long road, but eventually comes to a spot a few cars can park and a trail going into the woods. I followed the main trail for maybe a mile and got to the sand dunes-very steep, but worth the climb to get down to the beach! Beautiful, secluded, although there were lots of remnants of beach bonfires/parties scattered around. Bring lots of bug spray for the sand flies though! They ended up chasing me off the beach. I went at a time when there was almost no wind, and late afternoon. It had been raining all day, so maybe that had something to do with all the flies. I would try to go back another day/time though and hope they wouldn't be as bad! The views are worth it. read more

I have been walking in Grand Mere for decades-since before the government allowed I-94 to be constructed. It is quiet and not well marked. Because it is a natural, unimproved area, depending on the season, there are flies, mosquitoes, deer flies, gnats, and miscellaneous other bugs. There are also dangerous mammals. For example, there are three kinds of squirrels, raccoons, oppossums, deer, and the ever dangerous chipmunk. It is a hike over the dune. There are rocks along the shoreline because of the lake's geology. Stay away from the northern end. The homeowners are not friendly. Please don't go. read more

Nice playground on the North lake. Great walking trails off of the Middle lake. Didn't get to explore as much as I would have liked because our double stroller limited us when we got to a sand dune. My toddler and I took a quick hike up the pile of sand and it looked like a fun trail, but we had to turn back to meet hubby who stayed back with our baby and stroller. read more

This park is not for the faint of heart or for people with weak hearts! Best to hike it in the early spring or fall as you will avoid a horrendous assault of biting insects including mosquitoes and deer flies that breed in several small lakes in the park. If you are planning on hiking in the summer, plan to keep your entire body covered including your head and face or you will live to regret it. The best way I can describe the experience is to recommend watching that scene in the movie "African Queen" where Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn are enveloped in a swarm of ferocious gnats or other no-see-ums. If you want to go to the beach you had better check in with your physician before you do.It's a challenging climb across several high dunes that would test the endurance of even Lawrence of Arabia. If you make it over and to the beach, there is a 50/50 chance of getting assaulted by a swarm of deer flies so be prepared to turn around pretty quickly if that happens. All of that being said, if you choose to do it, it is a hike you will never forget. I plan to hike it again this year attired in clothing that would make a humvee look flimsy. If the beach is clear of flies it is one of the finest remote beaches in Michigan and well worth the hike. The view of the lake approaching from the top of the dunes is also breathtaking as well. read more

I honestly don't know where to begin with this review. It was supposed to be a relaxing and fun day at the beach with a couple of friends and all of our kids and a handful of their friends, but it ended up being one of the biggest recreational disasters I have ever encountered. It is really too bad that the crew of the show "I Shouldn't Be Alive" wasn't there to film our day. First of all, the day we picked to go was one of the 100+ degree days here in Chicagoland. We thought a day at the beach would be the perfect remedy for a bunch of hot, bored teenagers, but it went more like this: First, we unpacked our 4 huge coolers (there were 14 of us) and began dragging the coolers and towels and everything down the paved trail which was at least 1/4 mile long, possibly 1/2. At the point where you have to begin climbing over the first of 2 large dunes, we honestly should have turned around and headed back to Warren Dunes, even if it was crowded. Had we known what we were in for, we would have. To say the journey up the first dune was absolutely horrible is an understatement. The sand was so hot that about every 4 feet we would have to set the coolers down and sit on them because our feet were on fire. After at least an hour (who could know exactly how long, as we were all bordering on heat stroke) we made it to the beach. The beach was empty except for one other small group of people, but I am sure it was simply because everyone else died somewhere along the trail. We stayed most of the day and waited for the sand to cool (I'm surprised we are not still there) and left around 8:30. Yes, the sand was cool but it was still an absolute butt-kicker and a half. At one point my 12 year old fell in the sand, on the verge of tears, and told me he couldn't go any further. I told him that as soon as I got back to the car I would call the authorities and tell them to come pick up his body. I don't think I could have carried him out alone. Unless you are a masochist or a triathlete I would not even consider going there. When we got to the trail we thought the horrible part was over, but that was NOT the case. Once we got going on the trail the horseflies came out in droves. Even bug spray did not deter those little savages. We each got bit about 20 or 30 times all over our bodies. It was miserable. I do have to take some responsibility for not researching this dune (which my friend's 17 year old suggested) but I still don't think one can fully imagine what a "challenging adventure" it can turn in to. And by "challenging adventure", I mean hell. I assure you that there are many other beautiful beaches which are more easily accessed. My feet are stilll sore 2 days later and my back still itches from the horseflies. Oh, and one of my son's friends came home and discovered a tick on his thigh. Good for all of you people who think this beach is wonderful and love to spend time there. We will most likely never meet. If I ever suggest going there again I am pretty sure my son will run away from home. Tips if you DO decide to go: Bring shoes and socks to wear on your way to the beach. The trail is paved until you get to the dunes and if it is hot out the sand is unbearable to walk on. Do NOT bring coolers or anything which weighs more than a gerbil, unless you have it packed in a backpack. Bring some seriously heavy-duty bug spray. And maybe a flame thrower. Bring garbage bags. There isn't a single one on the beach and it would be a shame to litter. You will have to carry your trash out. Know that it is a serious hike to the beach, so if you have people in your group who are really young, really old, or remotely out of shape, this is probably not the beach to go to, unless you can access it by boat or don't mind dragging them out by their heels. Other than nearlly dying on the way up and down the dunes to get to the beach, being attacked by horseflies, being burrowed into by a tick, and burning the soles of our feet, we had a really good time. :) read more