She hides just beyond the line of trees. She plays at the base of the dunes. She is Lake Michigan. A sweet stroll through town, a bike ride down country lanes or a midnight stroll along a forested path brings you to her shores. Come discover the adventure, the fun to had, and the sunsets, and along the 15 miles of Harbor Country's Lake Michigan beaches this summer.
Relax at New Buffalo City Beach - lifeguards are on duty Memorial Day through Labor Day from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Additionally, there are 'Warning' flags to indicate lake conditions.
Explore Road End Beaches -
located in Michiana, Union Pier, Lakeside and Harbert these access
points are used mostly by visitors who walk to the beach. No
lifeguards, parking or facilities or pets allowed.
Experience Warren Dunes State Park - 2.5 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline with picnicking and swimming facilities, over 300 campsites, a nature trail, cross-country skiing trails give you all the recreation one could need.
New Buffalo's Lakefront Park and Beach are located on the North
end Whittaker Street, just over the Galien River bridge. In addition
to protected swimming areas, there are sand dunes and wooden walkways.
The Lakefront is regularly used as a scenic backdrop for
photo shoots and as a location for weddings and reunions.
Beach & Lakefront Park Amenities:
Restrooms and Showers
Full service snack bar
Handicap access - a sandwheelchair (available at the snack bar).
Pavilion, picnic tables, grills, playground and benches.
Bicycle parking
Paved auto parking (hourly/daily fees)
Beach Restrictions:
Swimming
is only permitted the designated, signed areas.
No pets, fires on glass containers.
Park closes at 11pm
No overnight parking
How to Get Here:
If traveling on I-94 use exit #1 or Exit # 4. Traffic flows into New Buffalo from US-12 or M-239. From the town's center - the intersection of US-12 and Whitakker St - go north, down Whitakker St, across the bridge (the Public Marina will be on the left, the Stray Dog on the right) and proceed to where Whitakker St ends. Turn left for the Beach Park. Turn right if you are towing a boat - locaton of public boat launch.
Road end beaches are used mostly by visitors who walk or bicycle
to the beach. A new bicycle path is currently under development in
Union Pier. No lifeguards, or facilities. No pets allowed. Limited
street parking.
Union Pier, Michigan
Townline Road
McKinley Street
Miller Beach
Berrien Street
Lakeside, Michigan
Pier Street
Harbert, Michigan
Harbert Road
Experience 3 miles of beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline,
6 miles of hiking trails and hilly sand dunes that tower over 240
feet above Lake Michigan giving visitors spectacular views. The
park is open year-round and available for snow boarding and cross-country
skiing in the winter.
Located in Sawyer, Michigan this State Park is rated #1 among Michigan
Travelers and has been voted best State/National Park by Lake Magazine.
Experience Warren Dunes State Park:
There is 1,952 acres of recreational space for fun outdoor activities
including hang gliding, kite flying, sandboarding and birdwatching. Enjoy miles
of Lake Michigan shoreline with picnicking and swimming facilities, over 300
campsites, a nature trail system, hunting opportunities and cross-country skiing
trails give you all the recreation one could need.
Sand Dunes :
Mount Randall, in particular, offers spectacular views of the lake
and countryside. Randall is a dune in motion as it is slowly creeping
eastward because winds and foot traffic keep vegetation from taking
hold.
Wildlife
& Trees:
Oak, maple, ash, tulip tree and cottonwoods grow in the dune forest, offering
food and shelter for deer, fox, opossum and squirrel. Raccoons frequent Painterville
Creek in search of its clams and crayfish. Wildflowers, including white trillium,
Dutchman's breeches, jack-in-the-pulpit and trout lily, spring from the soil.
Nature Trails:
There are nine seperately marked trails that are perfect for hiking and cross
country ski adventures. Lots of watchable wildlife and rest areas for visitors
during all seasons.
More Local Trails:
Nearby are Warren Woods State park (311 acres) and Grand Mere State Park (985
acres). Both parks offer additional hiking trails. Warren Woods trails wind through
a beech and maple forest; Grand Mere trails traverse gorgeous sand dunes, which
head to the "singing sands" of Lake Michigan.
