Sawyer: Discover dunes, forests, and trails

For a trip to Sawyer, nature and specific activities provide the strongest starting point. On Lake Michigan, the dunes define Warren Dunes State Park; Warren Woods and the Jens Jensen Preserve offer forests, trails, and other opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Also worth a stop are The Great Chair Stack, a photo spot, and locally grown produce and products made in Michigan at Sawyer Home & Garden Center.

Lake Michigan and the dunes

Warren Dunes State Park lies on the shore of Lake Michigan and covers 1,500 acres. Its striking dune formation rises 260 feet above the lake. The waterfront setting and elevation shape the park together: the dunes are not merely an addition to the shore, but a distinctive part of the landscape. The elevation gives a tangible sense of the difference between the lakeshore and the towering dune formation.

Six miles of hiking trails add a specific activity option to the landscape. Three features come together in the same named place: Lake Michigan, the dune terrain, and hiking. If you choose a destination based on whether it combines scenery and activity, the park offers a clear focus. The trail length adds a concrete point of reference for its hiking opportunities to the landscape features.

Forests, trails, and a range of activities

Warren Woods State Park offers a different natural setting. This 311-acre nature preserve is characterized by tall beech trees and majestic maple forests. Compared with the shore and dunes of Warren Dunes State Park, the focus here is on the forest. The two parks can therefore be distinguished by the landscapes described: on one side, Lake Michigan and its striking dune formation; on the other, beech and maple forests.

Fishing from the bridge over the Galien River is also a popular activity at Warren Woods State Park. This specific location adds another interest to the forest setting. If fishing is part of your travel plans, you can consider it alongside the forest landscape; the activity is explicitly associated with the bridge over the river.

The Jens Jensen Preserve adds further opportunities. Its extensive, well-maintained trail network is intended for hiking, birdwatching, and cross-country skiing. Hiking is therefore a common thread with Warren Dunes State Park, while the preserve adds birdwatching and cross-country skiing to the activities.

Photo spot and local products

The Great Chair Stack is a tall, colorful installation near Sawyer Garden Center and a popular photo stop for visitors. It offers a very different focus from the natural areas: instead of a dune or forest landscape, the spotlight is on a striking installation that makes a great photo subject. If you’d like to include a distinctive photo stop in your trip alongside nature, it complements the outdoor activities described above.

Sawyer Home & Garden Center offers locally grown fruits and vegetables, products made in Michigan, specialty foods and fresh produce, as well as wine, craft beer, and spirits. This adds a distinct shopping perspective to interests in nature and activities. The origin details apply to the respective goods: locally grown fruits and vegetables, as well as products made in Michigan. The other categories mentioned expand the selection, without implying that they all come from the same place.

The places and activities offer different starting points for a trip, without all requiring the same kind of stay.

Discover more destinations: Berrien Springs, Union Pier, New Buffalo, Chikaming Township, Bridgman, Watervliet, Benton Harbor, Niles

For the overarching travel guide: Berrien.