9. Saugatuck Dunes State Park
This scenic 1,000 acres of dunes and woodlands includes 2.5 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. Some of the dunes are over 200 feet in height. The park has four major hiking trails. It is a day-use park administered by the State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Nature enthusiasts, birdwatchers and hikers are the predominant users.
In 2010, a nearly 300-acre natural area at Saugatuck Dunes State Park was renamed as the Patricia Birkholz Natural Area, in honor of the former state senator and long-time champion of conservation, particularly the Lake Michigan shoreline.