Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness

*Please note: This page is not affiliated with the U.S. Forest Service.

This page is for people who love the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness, seek information on visiting the wilderness, and are committed to its protection and preservation. This federally-designated wilderness area is in Mason County along the shores of Lake Michigan and encompasses 3,450 acres of forest and dunes along more than four miles of pristine shoreline. This sanctuary is one of the few places on Michigan’s west coast where a person can stand on the beach, look either direction, and never see another person.

Nordhouse Dunes is part of the Ludington Dune Ecosystem, which is home to the largest area of fresh water interdunal ponds in the world. These dunes formed 3,500 to 4,000 years ago and are home to abundant natural life. Birch, Oaks, Maples, and Beech climb the rolling sand hills., along with Juniper, Jack Pine, and Hemlock trees. Closer to the shore, Common Milkweed dots the open dunes and provide an important stopping point for migrating Monarch Butterflies, which are increasingly under threat. The endangered Piping Plover nests on the wilderness beaches. Deer and Coyotes cross the dunes while Sandhill Cranes and Bald Eagles often circle overhead.

Visitor Information: Nordhouse Dunes is an excellent destination for hiking, wilderness camping, backpacking, photography, and snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter. More information on visiting the wilderness area is available at http://1.usa.gov/1iVs7dj.

Lastly, visit the twitter feed (www.twitter.com/NordhouseDunes) and the Flickr page (https://www.flickr.com/groups/nordhousedunes/)