Grand Mere State Park

Or call (269) 426-4013 for more information.

• Bre
  Jul 4, 2023
  Great hidden beach but you’ll get a workout!

  We found this beach through this app because the Warren Dunes beach was packed on the Fourth of July. The beach is a hidden gem but it’s about a mile to walk to and it’s not flat. You will have to go up and down some dunes to get to the beach. Be prepared if you bring your dog because the sand get hot. I had to carry my dog at times. Pack light because you will get a work out to and from the beach but the beach is very pretty.

• Amanda
  Jun 3, 2023
  Be Ready To Hike!

  We came on a Saturday morning, it wasn’t busy at all. We got to see some snapping turtles and other wild life! If you stay on the straight trail you’ll have no problem getting to the beach area, but be prepared to hike! There are some pretty steep, sandy hills to get to the beach.

• Victoria
  Jun 8, 2022
  Wonderful beach!!

  Daisy had an absolute blast!!! The beach is a little tricky to find. You need to hike through and up the dune before you come up to the beach. Daisy is a 6 month old border collie so the hike alone was a wonderful adventure for her. Once on the beach we were able to let her off the leash and run around ( as long as no other dogs were close) the beach did not get crowded at all. It was very clean and relaxing for but me and the pup!

• Anne
  Jul 4, 2021
  Awesome beach

  We visited the beach today with our lab over the 4th of July. The trails aren’t marked to the beach so it was a little difficult to find a place that wasn’t steep. You have to cross several sand dunes so only bring what you need with you because it’s a bit of work to get up and down them. We went in the morning and it was just starting to get warm. The sand can get really hot for the dogs’ feet. Once you’re there the beach is really pretty and wasn’t crowded.

• Meghan
  Apr 4, 2021
  Amazing dog swimming

  One of two groups of people in the morning and was able to let our pup swim off lead and put on her leash when anyone came close. Beautiful dune hike to get there! Took one path in and a different back. Our lab had the time of her life!

• Jessica
  Jun 30, 2020
  Pretty empty in the morning (compared to other dog-friendly beaches)

  We had no problem finding the tail. It went straight from the parking lot, and while there were a few offshoots, you just follow the paved/dirt path until you get to the dunes, and then you do the dune climb until you get to the beach.

  The hike to the beach isn't long (my GPS said .7 miles from the parking lot), but when we went (June 28th, 2020), there was definitely mud on the path (though it had rained pretty heavy a few days before). We were able to avoid puddles, but not the mud, so I'd suggest wearing shoes with good grip that you don't mind getting dirty. The first dune is pretty steep, but we (both 29 and a 1.5 year old poodle mix) did just fine. The second dune isn't that bad. You won't feel the wind until you get the beach, so it'll be pretty warm as you trek out to and back from the beach. We got to the beach itself around 10:30, and it wasn't too crowded. Lots of room for our dog to run on the beach and through the water undisturbed.

  Like a lot of Lake Michigan beaches, there isn't a whole lot of beach because the water is high (maybe 10 feet between the dunes and the water), but the water is pretty shallow and great for swimming. Lots of off-leash dogs, so be prepared for that. There also were biting flies (as can be expected on the lake), but they left us alone in the water.

  There are no trash cans at the beach, and the bathrooms don't seem to be maintained (there is no staff maintaining the park as far as we could tell, which also means we didn't have to pay the state park fee). For the sake of your dog, I'd encourage you to have them wear booties on the hike. When we left from the beach around noon, the sand was already burning our feet. Luckily our dog had booties or I'm certain he would have gotten blisters.

  We liked this beach so much more than the other ones we've been too (especially Kirk park - so crowded!), so especially if you get there early, you should have lots of space beach to yourself!

• Jacob
  Jun 20, 2020
  Long And Difficult Hike, Not For All Dogs

  This is a beautiful beach, but because of the steep and hot sand dunes, many dog owners will go for a 10 minute walk through the woods only to turn around after attempting or tackling the first dune. The trek across the dunes is long and the dune facing the beach is very large.

  It was very hot today and the sand hurt our pup’s feet. For the safety of our dog, we cut our losses and returned to the car. There were several other owners that made the same call while we were there.

  Some reviews call this hike challenging, as if tackling it is simply a matter of will. This mentality is dangerous for your pets. Use your best judgement.

• Alexis
  Aug 7, 2019
  Secluded and lovely

  Great, secluded beach. Tough hike out, but very beautiful.

• Laura
  Jul 24, 2019
  A quick heads up!!

  I have been heading to this out-of-the-way park for many years. I traveled up to the beach last week to find ... there was not beach! The water levels in Lake Michigan are SO high that there was no space to enjoy a walk with my dogs - only waves crashing into dunes. I will be checking before I head back up here again.

• Ron
  Sep 30, 2018
  The Best! (But Hard To Find!)

  It was an adventure finding this place but this beach is really a hidden gem. You will have to hike a ways to get to the beach but it is worth the hike. The trails are unmarked, so you might even get lost trying to find the beach. When we got to the beach, we had it all to ourselves - probably because it's so hard to find and we went mid-week in late September. It's a beautiful, clean beach for you and your dog, and if you're lucky like we were, you might have the place all to yourselves.

• Jenn
  More than a year ago
  never found the beach

  None of the trails are marked and took the one clearly off from the parking lot- it had signs warning about ticks and such- it lead to a pavilion that was under water and then the trail went on to find the trail was under water- it was late by the time got back to the parking lot and saw a second trail entrance with no signs again- gave up! You get what you pay for- free = 0 beach for us and two dogs

• Jodi
  May 13, 2018
  Our dog had a blast!

  We loved this hike! Our dog had so much fun running up and down the dunes and splashing in the water. The dune to climb to get to the beach is moderate but not bad.

• PK
  More than a year ago
  Loved It! Not for Lazy Slackers!

  If you're Retired & Lazy or just want an EASY walk to the beach with your dog. Forget it... go stay inside your RV and go elsewhere... this is an "Active" approach to an incredibly great stretch of beach on Lake Michigan that a truly active dog deserves!

• Tara
  More than a year ago
  DOGS LOVED IT!

  Ventured to Grand Mere in late March in search of a dog friendly beach and was happy to have found this one! Although the hike to the beach was challenging for both dogs and myself, it was well worth it!! Beautiful spacious beach front where they had plenty of room to run and swim. I'm worried about the population of the beach come summer as I can only assume it is a popular spot for dog owners.

• Brandon
  More than a year ago
  Great Dog Beach!

  This is an excellent place to take your dog. There is a nice paved path to the dunes. The first dune is by far the biggest and the worst but the reward is the nice beach. The beach is nice and clean and friendly. Our little dog loved swimming and the running in the sand and making new friends!

• Marie
  More than a year ago
  Beautiful place with wonderful people and pets!

  Great place, a bit of a hike through woods, climbing 2 steep sand dunes to get to the beach can be challenging,bring only what you need, some sort of umbrella or shade is good as there is no shade,no bags or cans to put your pups waste in on the beach or restrooms. The whole area is beautiful and very clean, the people who go there really keep it clean and are very nice!

• Meghan
  More than a year ago
  fun walk!

  We stopped at this beach on a road trip through Michigan. It is a trek from the parking lot, but beautiful and fun. The water is clear. Our dog loved it!
  

• Andrea
  More than a year ago
  Holy High Honking Sand Dunes

  We arrived on a Sunday morning and were disappointed there were no signs indicating where the beach was. From the map, we found a parking lot and then had a LONG WALK down a paved path then up and over some big monster sand dunes. Thank goodness we are in decent shape and our kids were able to handle it. The beach is just that - a beach; no bathrooms, changing areas, etc. We never saw a ranger/State Park official so our stay was free. More signs/directions are needed. The beach itself was fantastic, if you can get there and back!

• MMS
  More than a year ago
  Beautiful beach and great for dogs

  We took our black lab for a swim and were very pleased. Nice open beach with plenty of room to stake your own space. Our dog had a blast! However, note that getting to the beach is a major hike through the dunes. Not for a dog or human that is out of shape!

• Sandy
  More than a year ago
  Couldn't make it

  We drove hours and when we got there we enjoyed the walk through the woods and then we got to the dune - holy cow! This old lady couldn't do it I was afraid of a heart attack in the middle of no where! Felt bad for my dog but we kept driving and he got to enjoy Warren State Dunes. So if you go be prepared for a workout!

• Sean
  More than a year ago
  Great beach for dogs

  We visited the beach with our golden retriever last weekend and it was great. The beach is not very crowded at all, but those who are there all tend to have dogs. The beach is very clean, good sand, and clean water. Bring your own bags for clean up. If you are from out of state, there is a Michigan parks fee that has to be paid before you arrive where you get a sticker to place on your car, otherwise you could be fined if the park ranger does a random sweep. We didn't know this until we arrived and got lucky.

• Terese
  More than a year ago
  All sorts of choices

  Grand Mere is the best! And there's lots of choices depending on your dog's or your physical stamina and weather factors.
  You can walk along the beach - bring bags to clean up after your dog! Or walk along the beach until you get to the dunes and there are tons of paths through the dunes. My dog LOVES to run up and down the sandy trails.
  There are also several trailheads for nature trails around Middle and South Lake. I've walked many of the Middle Lake trails, including one that is paved. It is a beautiful wooded area with views of the lake and surrounding sand dunes. It is good for days that the beach is too cold and windy!

We dug up 6 pictures of dogs at Grand Mere State Park.

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