Dunes in southern Michigan

We%26#39;re visiting the Chicago area next month and would like to spend a day visiting the Michigan sand dunes (I did it as a child and loved it). Are there impressive dunes within a decent drive from the city, or should we plan an overnight trip to see them?

Dunes in southern Michigan

The closest is probably Indiana Dunes State Park, but I’ve never been there so I can’t really comment. A little over an hour drive out of Chicago, just north of New Buffalo, MI is Warren Dunes State Park and would give you good access to some sizeable dunes. You can find sand dunes most of the way up the western Michigan shoreline from there. The best and most impressive dunes IMO is the Sleeping Bear Dunes area north of Frankfort, MI. I%26#39;m guessing that to be a 5.5 hour drive from Chicago.

Dunes in southern Michigan

I was just at Warren Dunes today and the only way to see the dunes now days is to park in the campground area or outside of the park and walk to the beach area where the huge dunes are. Last Fall we had one weekend where it rained for 48 hr straight and caused some flooding . The bridge that separates the entrance from the parking lots at the beach and dunes washed out. They are hoping to get it repaired for the summer tourist season -- but that might not actually happen. Really will be a shame if they don%26#39;t get it repaired. It is one of the most popular State Parks in MI.

Silver lake north of Muskegon might be what you are thingking of. You can take trucks/atvs and buggies onto the dunes there. It would be quite a drive from Chicago, it may be easier to take the ferry across Lake Michigan from Wisconsin...