Ottawa Sands

Ottawa Sands is a 345-acre Ottawa County Park covering dunes, forests and a lake between Grand River and Lake Michigan.  The park is relatively new, having opened in October 2018.  Future plans call for development of the park with river and lake access and a campground.  Currently, there is a parking area off North Shore Road and several miles of trails around the lake and through the dunes.

Contact Information:

18153 North Shore Drive

Ferrysburg, MI

Directions:

From Grand Haven, head north on US-31 for about a mile and take exit 104B towards Ferrysburg.  Turn left onto 3rd Street and after a mile, turn left onto North Shore Road.  Go 1.1 miles and turn left into the parking area for Ottawa Sands.

Map:

Trails:

There are several miles of trails throughout the park around the lake and through the dunes.

Wildlife:

American beachgrass (Ammophila breviligulata) is common in the area and provides stability to the dunes.

Spotted beebalm (Monarda punctata)

Spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe) is an invasive species.

Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus)

Blog Entries:

23-Aug-2020: Sleeping Bear Dunes

External Links:

Ottawa County Parks website: https://www.miottawa.org/parks/ottawasands.htm