How do I get to Warren Dunes and where can I park?

Warren Dunes State Park is located off Red Arrow Highway in Sawyer, Michigan, approximately 90 minutes from Chicago via I-94 (exit 16). From the exit, follow Red Arrow Highway north for about two miles. The park has multiple parking lots near the beach, charging a Michigan state park vehicle permit (daily or annual). Parking fills quickly on summer weekends, often by late morning. Arrive before 10 AM during peak season or consider visiting on weekdays. The main beach area parking is closest to facilities and lifeguarded swimming areas.

What food and amenities are available at Warren Dunes State Park?

Warren Dunes has a concession stand near the main beach offering snacks, drinks, and basic food during summer months. Restrooms, changing facilities, and outdoor showers are available year-round. The nearby town of Sawyer (2 miles) has limited dining options. For more restaurants, grocery stores, and lodging, head to New Buffalo (8 miles north) or St. Joseph (15 miles north), which offer numerous hotels, bed and breakfasts, and dining choices. The park itself has campgrounds with 182 modern and 40 rustic sites if you want to stay onsite.

Can you climb the sand dunes at Warren Dunes State Park?

Yes, climbing the towering sand dunes is a signature activity at Warren Dunes. Tower Hill, the park's highest dune, rises 240 feet above Lake Michigan and offers panoramic lake views—but climbing it is strenuous. The soft sand makes ascent challenging; expect 15-30 minutes to reach the top. Wear appropriate footwear as sand gets extremely hot in summer. Six miles of hiking trails wind through dunes and forest. Stay on designated paths to prevent erosion. Many visitors enjoy running or rolling down the dunes, making this a unique feature beyond typical beach activities.

Sawyer · Michigan · USA

Warren Dunes State Park Beach

You climb through oak and cottonwood, then crest a ridge to find Lake Michigan spread blue and impossibly wide. Below, two hundred feet down, white sand swallows footprints within the hour. The dunes here shift with every storm, revealing new bowls and ridgelines, and the water—even in August—stings your ankles like a dare.

1 / 8

Conditions right now

Reading live conditions…

Live from Open-Meteo · sea surface temperature and wave data modelled at 1-km grid resolution for Warren Dunes State Park Beach. Numbers refresh at the hourly tick.

Waves

—

01m2m3m+

Wind

—

kmh

Water

—

Air

—

OnlyBeaches IndexUpdated just now

OBI

—

Live-scored for Warren Dunes State Park Beach

Tuned for

Purity: 0%
Conditions: 0%
Crowd: 0%
Vibe: 0%

The OnlyBeaches Index weighs four pillars against your chosen persona. Purity comes from water clarity and air-quality heuristics; Conditions from Open-Meteo waves, wind and temperatures; Crowd from historical patterns; Vibe from nearby events within 50 km. The score rebalances throughout the day.

Sawyer·Michigan·USA

No reviews yet

scenic

Trending This Week

Photos

8 captures from Warren Dunes State Park Beach

About this beach

Warren Dunes crowds the shoreline with sand mountains that rise in rounded humps and knife-edge ridges, their slopes steep enough to make your calves burn on the ascent. Tower Hill, the tallest, grants views across sixty miles of open water on days when the haze lifts; most afternoons you'll watch freighters inch along the horizon while monarch butterflies t…

Where it is

Warren Dunes State Park Beach

Sawyer, Michigan, USA

41.9110°, -86.5932°

Open in Google Maps

Top things to do

At Warren Dunes State Park Beach

Climb Tower Hill

Two hundred vertical feet, views for miles

Wade the Shore

Cold water, rolling waves, sandy bottom

Dune Ridge Sunsets

Light catches every ripple and hollow

South Beach Stretch

Walk past crowds into quiet coves

Near this beach

Places, rentals, tours and events within walking and driving distance of Warren Dunes State Park Beach.

Loading nearby eat & drink…

Loading nightlife…

Good to know

Questions people actually ask about Warren Dunes State Park Beach.

Is it safe to swim at Warren Dunes State Park Beach?

Swimming conditions at Warren Dunes vary with Lake Michigan's weather patterns. The beach has lifeguards on duty during summer weekends and holidays, but not always on weekdays. Strong currents, rip tides, and sudden drop-offs can occur, especially during windy conditions. Always check the flag warning system before entering the water: green means calm, yellow indicates caution, and red prohibits swimming. The park posts daily conditions at the entrance. Never swim alone, and supervise children closely as Lake Michigan's conditions can change quickly throughout the day.

When is the best time to visit Warren Dunes State Park Beach?

Summer (June-August) offers warmest water temperatures (65-75°F) and full amenities, though weekends get crowded. Late spring and early fall provide fewer crowds with pleasant beach weather, but cooler water. Winter attracts adventurous visitors for dramatic wave-watching and dune hiking, though swimming isn't recommended. The park remains open year-round. For the best experience, visit on weekdays in June or September when temperatures are comfortable, crowds are manageable, and parking is easier to find. Sunsets are spectacular throughout the year from this east-facing shoreline.