Child walking along sandy trail

This Underrated State Park Is An Uncrowded Alternative To Indiana Dunes

By Aimee Long

VACATIONS

Warren Dunes State Park in Michigan has all the sandy clout of Indiana Dunes National Park but half the hordes, seeing only 1 million visitors yearly.
Warren Dunes has dunes that are twice as tall as Mount Baldy, Indiana Dunes National Parks' tallest dune. The park is in southwestern Michigan, only 36 miles from Indiana Dunes.
Outdoor activities abound at the park no matter the season. Spring offers hikers the chance to see wildflowers, and in the winter, visitors can play in the snow drifts.
In summer, guests can swim along the lakeshore, go hang gliding, or search for sea glass. Fall offers panoramic views of autumnal foliage from the top of the dunes.
The park’s largest draw is the dunes, especially Tower Hill, which stands at a whopping 240 feet. Visitors can climb to the top, then sandboard or sled down the dunes.
The park also has white sand beaches with Caribbean-esque water, perfect for kayaking or stand-up-paddleboarding. Guests can stay overnight at one of the four campgrounds.