Visit Wilderness

Over the past 13,000 years, as the level of Lake Michigan rose and fell, winds swept sand from the exposed lakebed into a series of rolling dunes, some reaching heights of 140 feet. Most of these dunes formed between 3,500 and 4,000 years ago. Today, a wide beach separates the waves of water from the waves of sand. Unlike most active dune systems, this area supports woody patches of juniper, stunted jack pine, small stands of northern hardwoods, and dune marshes with wetland species like hemlock and larch. Many of the dunes are lightly covered in dune grass.

Nordhouse Dunes stretches along approximately 7,300 feet of undeveloped shoreline. The limited trail system spans about 14.5 miles and is minimally marked, making it occasionally challenging to follow. For the best views of the dunes, visitors can hike the 1.4-mile Nordhouse Dunes Trail. Trails can be accessed from the nearby Lake Michigan Recreation Area along the northern boundary. 

Leave No Trace

How to follow the seven standard Leave No Trace principles differs in different parts of the country (desert vs. Rocky Mountains). Click on any of the principles listed below to learn more about how they apply in the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness.

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

For more information on Leave No Trace, Visit the Leave No Trace, Inc. website.

Rules & Regulations

Contacts