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North Ottawa Dunes
4.8 ★★★★★ 361 Google reviews · Running trail in Spring Lake, Michigan · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from North Ottawa Dunes' own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Natural area for hiking with marked paths that lead to a beach or lake, plus sand dunes.
What runners say about North Ottawa Dunes
“The hike was fun and the beach was clean.”
“The trails themselves are beautiful and a mix of sand and dirt and are appropriately marked for levels of difficulty.”
“Really nice place to hike, tons of trails clearly marked with numbers and difficulty level.”
“The trail was quiet though I did encounter several other Walters during my hike.”
One of my favorite hiking places in the lower Michigan. If you're in to hiking and trail running, you will love this place. The trails line up against lake Michigan so a shoreline run in the morning is feasible. Love it so much I've even contemplated moving near the trails. :)
Beautiful dog friendly moderate hike (includes stairs and some steeper slopes).
Really nice trail system for hiking. There are detailed maps that not only show the trails but also the difficulty of each trail segment. I was on a route deemed "Easy" by a popular trail app. However, the first half of the trail was rated "most difficult" by the park.
This is one of my favorite places to go in the area. The trails are a bit rough, but not too rough, and there are lots of options. There are maps everywhere so it is hard to get lost, and the elevation symbols mark the difficulty of each trail nicely.
Trail conditions & character
“The trails themselves are beautiful and a mix of sand and dirt and are appropriately marked for levels of difficulty.”
“More elevation gain/loss than I expected on the route that my group chose, but I'm sure there's flatter route options for easier treks.”
“Almost everything was well-marked with signs and trail markers at each intersection.”
“Plenty of parking at the trailhead and we saw friendly folks every 10-15 minutes.”
“The trail was quiet though I did encounter several other Walters during my hike.”
“Beautiful dog friendly moderate hike (includes stairs and some steeper slopes).”
Plan your run at North Ottawa Dunes
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitemiottawa.org
- Phone+1 616-738-4810
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 7 am–10 pm |
| Tuesday | 7 am–10 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am–10 pm |
| Thursday | 7 am–10 pm |
| Friday | 7 am–10 pm |
| Saturday | 7 am–10 pm |
| Sunday | 7 am–10 pm |
Running trails near Spring Lake
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Ottawa Sands County Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 158 reviews
New park surrounding a lake at a former sand quarry.
Ferrysburg Nature Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 21 reviews
Linear Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 23 reviews
Community park offering trails, picnic tables, grills, fishing platforms & informational plaques.
Kitchel/Lindquist/Hartger Dunes Preserve
4.3 ★★★★☆ 64 reviews
114-acre protected area offering sand dunes, nature trails, sledding & cross-country skiing.
Escanaba Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 116 reviews
Waterfront park featuring a sandy beach and a playground for kids.
