Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness

Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness The Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness is comprised of 3,450 acres of stunning forest and dunes. *Please note: This page is not affiliated with the U.S. Forest Service.
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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/)

Frigid. Windswept. Beautiful.
02/06/2026

Frigid. Windswept. Beautiful.

12/08/2025

On this day in 1987, Nordhouse Dunes was officially designated a federal wilderness. Yeah! 🎉🥳👏🙌

11/29/2025

This page officially loves this video and the painting behind it! 🌞🌊⛺️

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09/08/2025

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⚠️ Missing dog in Nordhouse Dunes area. Contact info and pictures below.
07/09/2025

⚠️ Missing dog in Nordhouse Dunes area. Contact info and pictures below.

06/26/2025

Panoramic views from the Big Sable Point Lighthouse will soon be available for everyone, anytime.

Key habitat: Jack Pines. 🌲
06/17/2025

Key habitat: Jack Pines. 🌲

Volunteers and conservation groups and agencies are in the jack pine forests this week, counting the Kirtland's warbler which almost went extinct in the 1980s because of loss of habitat.

Find more information about this event! https://www.facebook.com/share/16KSD1MeGk/?mibextid=wwXIfr
05/30/2025

Find more information about this event! https://www.facebook.com/share/16KSD1MeGk/?mibextid=wwXIfr

June 11 is the first W**d the Wilderness event of the season. Join some amazing Forest Service botany staff for the day, learn a bunch, and make a difference in the dunes habitat for Pitcher’s thistle and Piping plovers!

05/26/2025

Conservancy designates thousands of acres at Arcadia Dunes for an old-growth future.

Anyone ever seen a rattlesnake at Nordhouse?
05/11/2025

Anyone ever seen a rattlesnake at Nordhouse?

Michigan is considered the last stronghold of the federally threatened eastern massasauga.

Address

6496 W Nurnberg Road
Manistee, MI
49411

Website

https://www.flickr.com/groups/NordhouseDunes/, http://www.nordhousedunes.com/

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