Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness

Located in the Huron-Manistee National Forest in Michigan.

The Michigan Wilderness Act of 1987 designated the Nordhouse Dunes Area on the Manistee National Forest as Wilderness. Although somewhat small when it comes to wilderness (only 3,450 acres), the Nordhouse Dunes is a unique area and the only designated wilderness in Michigan's lower peninsula. Located 12 miles southwest of Manistee, Michigan, the southern edge of the dunes is accessed by Nurnberg Road while the northern boundary is accessed from the Lake Michigan Recreation Area.

The most striking features of the area are the approximately 7,300 feet of undeveloped Lake Michigan shoreline and the parallel sand dunes. All of the dunes were formed within the last 13,000 years. Overtime the water level of the Great Lakes has varied with a high of about 640 feet. The lake level gradually receded to the level of 595 feet, approximately 3,000 years ago. Today the lake level is about 580 feet. During periods of low water levels, the prevailing winds moved the exposed sandy lake bed into the dunes. The dunes continued to build as long as there was a sand supply. Most are Nipissing Dunes, approximately 3,500 to 4,000 years old. The dunes stand about 140 feet high and surround small parcels and plateaus of woody vegetation. Small water holes and marshes are found throughout the area. Dune grass lightly covers many of the sand dunes.

A wide variety of vegetation is found within the area. On active dunes, plants that tolerate the desert-like conditions exist. Woody patches within the active dunes commonly are populated with juniper and stunted jack pine. Within the stabilized dunes some stands of northern hardwoods exist. Dune marshes particularly within the stabilized area contain a large variety of wetland plant species including hemlock and larch.

White tailed deer, coyote, fox, raccoon, porcupine, skunk and squirrels may be seen throughout the area. Many species of waterfowl and songbirds are also present.

Summer temperatures range from 70-90 degrees while winter temperatures are between 0 and 30 degrees. The warmest months are July and August while the coldest month is January. Typical rainfall is 31 inches.

There is a limited trail system within the wilderness. However, the trails are only minimally signed. The interior dunes provide opportunities for more solitude, primitive recreation and physical challenge. During the summer months and deer hunting season the area is heavily used and the opportunity for solitude is diminished. There is no water source in the dunes so water must be carried into the dunes from an outside source.

Due to the fragile nature of Nordhouse Dunes camping and campfires are discouraged in the open sand areas. Visitors are encouraged to "Leave No Trace" of their visit to the wilderness and to leave the area unspoiled for the next person to enjoy. Parking facilities are located at Nurnberg Road and at the Lake Michigan Recreation Area.

For more information contact: The Huron-Manistee National Forest