The Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness is a part of the Huron-Mainstee National Forest system located on the lower peninsula of Michigan. According to the USDA Forest Service, this system encompasses over 1 million acres of hiking trails, wilderness, beaches, boating waters and wildlife preserve. These national forests, including the Nordhouse Dunes located on the shores of Lake Michigan, are a work in progress. The Forest Service, reports it "has changed the 'lands that nobody wanted' to healthy forests again. We've made great progress in recovering these lands but a great deal of work remains, much of which is being done through partnerships." Kayaking along the shores of this offers a rare glimpse of an unspoiled and ancient natural wonder.
Terrain
The dunes are a product of thousands of years of the ebb and flow of Lake Michigan's highwater mark. When the water levels were lower, dry sand left vulnerable to the wind was lifted and concentrated in dune formations. According to Wilderness.net, some of these dunes can reach heights of 140 feet. Adding additional interest to the area is the fact that hiking in the Nordhouse Dunes is like travelling back in time. According to Wilderness.net, "Most of the present dunes date back between 3,500 and 4,000 years."
Kayaking
Kayaking in the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness is not confined to paddling on Lake Michigan alone. While these waters provide a challenging exercise, sometimes equivalent to paddling on an ocean because of large tidal swells, calmer inland waters are also available. Nordhouse Lake offers a calmer lake paddle as well as seasonal fishing opportunities. Before fishing, kayakers and campers should consult the Michigan state guidelines for licences and fishing seasons.
Wilderness Use, Fees and Restrictions
While the Dunes Wilderness offers many opportunities for paddlers and campers to get out and enjoy, there are some restrictions. Camping can only be done in specified areas. According to the Forest Service, camps can only be made "400 feet from Lake Michigan shoreline...250 feet from trails and Nordhouse Lake" and not in areas "posted closed and/or no camping... within 450 feet of developed recreation areas." Additionally, there are restrictions on where campfires are permitted.
Climate
As with most of the state of Michigan, temperatures and weather in the wilderness vary drastically from season to season. Gorp.com reports: "Summer temperatures range from 70-90 degrees while winter temperatures are between 0 and 30 degrees. The warmest months are July and August while the coldest month is January." Additionally, like many lake-shore areas, the dunes are subject to a high amount of rainfall each year.
Wildlife
Paddlers in the wilderness share the waters with many species of fish and aquatic life. When hiking or making camp for the night, kayak campers will encounter not only native flora such as species of pine and juniper trees, but native fauna as well. There are many species of birds including those adapted to both dry land and aquatic living. Campers may also encounter typical wilderness species such as deer, raccoons, skunks and squirrels.
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