Warren Dunes State Park, State park with sand dunes in Lake Charter Township, United States.
Warren Dunes State Park is a protected area in Lake Charter Township on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan with about three miles of beach. Sand formations rise at several points nearly 260 feet above water level, creating a rolling landscape of open slopes, wooded valleys, and small wetlands tucked between the ridges.
The dunes formed roughly 10,000 years ago when melting glaciers left behind large amounts of sand that wind and water gradually shaped into the present formations. The state of Michigan acquired the area in the mid-20th century and opened it as a public recreation space.
The name comes from Edward K. Warren, a local businessman who owned the land in the early 20th century and later made it available to the public. Hikers today use the marked trails through forests and along the shore, while swimmers populate the beaches during summer months.
A Michigan Recreational Passport or a daily entry permit is required for access and covers all areas of the grounds including the campsites with electrical hookups. The trails over the dunes can be strenuous during hot weather, so bringing water and sturdy footwear for the loose sand is advisable.
Between the larger dunes lie small wetlands that serve as stopover points for migratory birds traveling along the Lake Michigan flyway. These hidden pockets support rare plants adapted to moist conditions that could not survive in the surrounding dry sand.
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