Saugatuck Dunes State Park

Saugatuck Dunes State Park is a protected coastal area in Laketown Township featuring extensive sand formations, wooded sections, and well-marked trails throughout. The park stretches along Lake Michigan's shoreline and combines open sandy slopes with dense forest patches across its terrain.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources established this park in 1978 to protect the vulnerable coastal environment. The protection effort grew out of concerns about erosion and the need to preserve the dune ecosystem for the future.

The dunes here attract visitors who come to experience the raw power of wind-shaped landscapes and the contrast between sandy slopes and thick forest. Walking through different sections, you notice how plants and animals adapted to survive in this shifting sandy environment.

A Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry to the park. The main trails vary in difficulty and terrain, so wear sturdy footwear and bring water, especially when walking on sandy sections.

Three rare plant species live only in these dune conditions and nowhere else nearby. They survive on the nutrient-poor sand where most plants cannot establish themselves.

Location: Michigan

Inception: 1978

Website: https://www2.dnr.state.mi.us/ParksandTrails/Details.aspx?id=491&type=SPRK

GPS coordinates: 42.70330,-86.19970

Latest update: December 8, 2025 20:00