A Hike and Swim at Warren Dunes

This event starts at 12:00 pm ET (Michigan time) which is 11:00 am CT (Chicago time). because of the expected difficulty entering the park and parking, expect that the hike will set off at 12:30 ET.

because of the popularity of this park on summer weekends, there could be extensive parking delays. if you can contact the organizers, let them know if you will be late, but they are aware, and will give some latitude for this.

if you are way late, you might want to follow the instructions below for walking north on the beach and meeting the group when they descend to the shore.

dear friends–

This hike is at Warren Dunes state park in Michigan. We had good times here in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, and 2024, so i hope we’ll a good time here in 2025.

this hike will be a collaboration with several other groups, including

Rick’s Hiking and Fun Group https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/

Wabash Valley Hiking & Social Group [https://www.meetup.com/wabash-valley-hiking-social-meetup-group/](https://www.meetup.com/wabash-valley-hiking-social-meetup-group/)

there is a gate fee to enter the park, so be prepared. i believe it is about $10 for out of state per vehicle, not sure what it is for in state.

Be sure to check the weather beforehand, and dress appropriately [https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/warren-dunes-state-park/49125/weather-forecast/30155_poi](https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/warren-dunes-state-park/49125/weather-forecast/30155_poi) .

bring along a lunch which we will eat on the beach, plus enough water (one quart minimum), a hat with a brim, sunscreen, etc. we will be both in the woods and on the beach, and i’m not sure what conditions are like this time of year, so make your own decisions about insect repellent.

we will meet at the farthest north parking lot, near the washrooms. at that point, we will discuss whether everyone wants to take the entire hike, or if some would rather skip the inland part of the route and spend more time on the beach.

the hike route will be about 5 miles with at least 2-3 steep climbs. we will walk inland over Mt Randall, and turn north and hike along Painterville Creek, past the campground, to the junction with the Blue Jay trail, then we will descend to the lakefront on the Blue Jay trail with a spectacular view of the Lake, before arriving at the shore.

once at the shore, we will make an extended stop to swim, hang out at the beach, and eat our lunch. after that, we walk about a mile along the beach back to the parking lot.

if anyone would like a shorter hike and more beach time, they may walk north along the beach about one mile, and stop where the Blue Jay trail emerges from inland and hits the lakefront, where the other hikers will end up after the inland part of the hike. watch from the point where a rather wide trail comes down to the beach, just before the end of the park, where lakefront houses begin, and boats may be pulled up in the shallow water.

the shorter route, just from the parking area to the swim stop and back is about 2 miles round trip.

at the swim stop, we can discuss whether anyone wants to go into nearby Sawyer to have dinner and/or visit the garden center and fruit market there.

hope to see you,

Erin and Rick

for past events at this location:

2024 [https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/34234329/](https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/34234329/)

directions to Warren Dunes state park:

take 1-94 to Sawyer rd exit, turn east; take Sawyer rd to Red Arrow hwy, turn right; continue to Warren Dunes state park entrance, turn left; continue on State Park rd to last parking lot, park there; look for a crowd, or call me at 773-415-0428; try to arrive by 12:00 PM EDT (11:00 AM CDT); we will wait till 12:30 EDT, then depart on foot.