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A relatively short and scenic loop through a newly-acquired, inner dune trail system around a one-time sand mining site.


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Map Key

2.5

Miles

4.0

KM

Loop

613' 187 m

High

588' 179 m

Low

61' 19 m

Up

61' 19 m

Down

1%

Avg Grade (1°)

4%

Max Grade (2°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake

Family Friendly Flat, wide trails around an inland lake between Grand River and Lake Michigan. Keep an eye out for the bald eagles!

Open March 1 - October 15: 7am - 10pm; October 16 - February 28: 7am - 8pm. No bikes, horses, or swimming. Catch and release fishing only with artificial bait/lures. No watercraft of any kind.

Overview

One of a few hike options in this area, this flat loop heads through a mix of environments. From open dunes and grassland to vibrant deciduous forests and wetland, this tour provides visitors an intimate experience through the ecologically diverse new addition to the Ottawa County parks system.

This loop links the outer trails in a clockwise direction from the parking area off N Shore Rd, staying left at all intersections. All trails at Ottawa Sands can be traveled in either direction or combined in a variety of ways to accommodate groups of varying ability or time constraints.

Need to Know

Additional parking available at Coast Guard Park. For more information, head to the Ottawa County Parks & Recreation page or this informative Youtube video.

Description

From the parking area, head south on the flat and wide path toward the inland lake. Coming out of the trees, look for the trail joining the road from the right (west) as this will be the exit for the loop around the lake (or do this hike in reverse and take this first turn).

Continue to the southeast on the road toward the Grand River, ducking back into the trees with a patch of marshland around mile 0.4. At this point, follow the trail along the riverbank to the south staying left at all intersections through the grassland and open dunes keeping an eye out for nesting bald eagles in this southern area.

Looping back toward the lake, pass some more wetlands before following the western half of the loop along the boundary of the grassland and deciduous forest back to the starting point.

Contacts

Shared By:

Jessica VanGinhoven

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 2 votes

#1

in Ottawa Sands

#4244

Overall
  4.0 from 2 votes
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#1

in Ottawa Sands

#46

in Michigan

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Photos

Lakeside trail in fall" by Mike Lozon. Photo courtesy of Ottawa County Parks & Recreation.
Dec 9, 2019 near Ferrysburg, MI
The northwest shoreline of the lake" by Mike Lozon. Photo courtesy of Ottawa County Parks & Recreation.
Dec 9, 2019 near Ferrysburg, MI

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