On the shores of Lake Michigan, Warren Dunes State Park brings together the lake and striking dunes. Sawyer also offers wooded natural areas, trails for a range of activities, and a distinctive local photo spot. You can choose based on your main interest: dunes and shoreline, forest, hiking, birdwatching, or regional products.
Dunes on Lake Michigan
Warren Dunes State Park covers 1,500 acres on the shores of Lake Michigan. Its striking dune formation rises 260 feet above the lake, and six miles of hiking trails add to the variety of recreational opportunities. The park thus brings together a lakeside setting, dramatic terrain, and hiking. If you’re looking for a place where the lake and dunes are as much a part of the experience as the trails, this combination offers a clear basis for choosing. The figures for area and height convey the scale of the park, while the trail length adds a specific focus on activity.
Forest and Activities
A different natural highlight can be found at Warren Woods State Park. This nature preserve spans 311 acres and is characterized by tall beech trees and impressive maple forests. In contrast to the lakeshore and dune scenery of Warren Dunes State Park, forest and its beech and maple stands take center stage here. The parks also differ in size: Warren Dunes covers 1,500 acres, while Warren Woods covers 311 acres. When choosing between the two parks, you can therefore consider both the landscape and their different sizes.
Warren Woods State Park also offers fishing from the bridge over the Galien River, a popular activity there. This adds a specific location and activity to the forest theme. For visitors interested in fishing as well as trees, it’s a distinct focus among Sawyer’s options.
Jens Jensen Preserve puts another focus on trails: its extensive, well-maintained trail network is used for hiking, birdwatching, and cross-country skiing. Hiking is also available at Warren Dunes State Park; at Jens Jensen Preserve, birdwatching and cross-country skiing are among the activities mentioned as well. The sites can therefore be distinguished by different interests: Lake Michigan’s shore and dunes define the natural setting at Warren Dunes, while the trail network at the preserve accommodates several activities. If you’re choosing based on specific activities, this distinction offers helpful guidance.
Photo Spot and Regional Products
A different kind of attraction from the natural areas is the Great Chair Stack: this tall, colorful installation is near the Sawyer Garden Center and is a popular photo stop for visitors. If you’re looking for a distinctive photo spot as well as dunes and forests, you can include the installation as a separate highlight in your selection of things to see in Sawyer.
The Sawyer Home & Garden Center carries locally grown fruits and vegetables, fresh produce, specialty foods, and products made in Michigan. Its offerings also include wine, craft beer, and spirits. For travelers who factor regional products into their choice of destination, this selection adds a shopping focus to Sawyer’s natural attractions and activities. The local farming and Michigan-made products give the selection a specific regional connection.
Discover more destinations: New Buffalo, Benton Harbor, Watervliet, Berrien Springs, Bridgman, Niles, Chikaming Township, Union Pier
For the main travel overview: Berrien.
