How to Plan a Trip to the Warren Dunes

Simple, cheap and fun entertainment is hard to come by nowadays. A trip to the amusement park can cost you over $50, movie tickets are getting closer and closer to $10 a ticket, and with gas prices rising, sometimes long weekends to a cabin can put a dent in your wallet. However, even though gas is rising, getting a few friends or family together for a trip to the Warren Dunes (located close to the Michigan/Indiana border) can cost less than $50 (that includes food, gas and entertainment).

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Car
• Coolers
• Lunch food
• Snacks and water
• Little grill for dinner
• Sunscreen
• Bathing suit
• Change of clothes
• Toys

1. Find out how far the Warren Dunes are from your home. The address for the Warren Dunes is 12032 Red Arrow Highway, Sawyer, MI. For example, from Chicago, the Warren Dunes are about 2 hours away.
2. Get together a group of friends or family and select a date. The dunes are perfect for any age group, from high schoolers looking for a day away from home, to a family with young kids looking for a cheap get-a-way.
3. Leave early in the morning. Get to the dunes around ten o'clock, this gives you time to have breakfast at home, get things set up at the beach and play in the water before lunch.
4. Apply sunscreen several times throughout the day.
5. Eat lunch. It is important to also stay hydrated.
6. Once your food settles, tackle that huge dune. The dune is very steep, but if you start slightly to the right it is a little less strenuous then going straight up it.
7. Once reaching the top of the dune, enjoy the sites. Sometimes you can look across the lake and see Chicago. You will also be able to see Gary, Indiana.
8. Continue down the back of the dune into a small creek. Once you reach the creek, follow it to the hidden clay pit and get messy! Don't worry, the clay will come off once you go back into the lake.
9. You can follow the creek out back to the lake without having to climb back up the dune. Go back and have fun in the water.
10. Play volleyball, snack, take a nap, read a book or hang out with friends and family.
11. For dinner you have a couple of options. If you opt to bring a grill, tailgate and make some hot dogs, burgers, etc. If you want to go out, Roma's Pizza is north of the Warren Dunes. When you exit the park, turn left on Red Arrow Highway for about 3 miles. Another restaurant is Redamak's Tavern. Instead of turning left on Red Arrow Highway, turn right as you exit the park and head south for about 10 miles.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to apply sunscreen several times throughout the day.
• Car pool and caravan the trip. It is $8 per car no matter how many people are in the car. Make the trip fun, decorate your cars, bring along car games or just catch up with friends.
• When playing in the water or climbing the dune you can leave your stuff on the beach.
• Pack a lunch and bring plenty of snacks. Share snacks with friends. If you go with a group, have everyone bring one type of snack and share!
• Outside showers are provided, so you can rinse off and wash hair before changing for the ride home.
• Don't leave valubles unattended. There really is no need for anything but your beachbags.
• Cell phones do not work. Very rarely will you receive a signal.

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