Our beaches are the best in the Midwest...in the Nation...in the world! Well, at least we think so, and so does ABC's Good Morning America. The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Northern Michigan was voted by the viewers of GMA as the most beautiful place in America. One of the spectacular sights at Sleeping Bear is the sand dunes that peak at over 400 feet. The largest dune system in the world associated with a freshwater lake is right here in Michigan!

HOW SAND DUNES ARE FORMED
You have to go back to when glaciers covered Michigan to find the original source for the sand. The deposits left behind were mostly made of quartz, and over time the constant movement of the water formed what is now our sugar sand. In order for sand dunes to develop, you must have a large source of dry sand, the winds to transport it, and an area large enough for the dune to take hold. The eastern coast of Lake Michigan has a vast array of impressive sand dunes, thanks to the westerly winds that take the sand and blow it into dune formations. Often these dunes become covered with vegetation, which stabilizes them. If this vegetation is gone, the dunes experience wind erosion.

SILVER LAKE SAND DUNES
Nearly 2,000 acres of moving sand, the Silver Lake Sand Dunes are said to be the largest living dunes found along Lake Michigan. For years, families and thrill seekers head to Silver Lake to ride the dunes in their own vehicles...or choose to view the dunes and lakeshore in a guided tour. Fulgurites are often found in the sand and it's a fun activity to search for them! The combination of Lake Michigan, Silver Lake, quaint beach shops, Little Sable Point Lighthouse and the fantastic dunes make the Silver Lake Sand Dunes a top destination in Michigan.

LUDINGTON STATE PARK & HAMLIN LAKE
Even Hamlin Lake, just north of Ludington, has sand dunes that people love to visit...by boat or by car! Located on the northwest section of the lake, you can climb the dune (which is within the Ludington State Park) and see Lake Michigan on the other side. Many take their boats or jet skis and anchor them on the beach at the base of the dune. On the southwest side of Hamlin Lake in the State Park you can climb Mt. Baldy and experience terrific views of Lake Michigan. Be sure to visit Big Sable Point Lighthouse while you're exploring the Ludington State Park.

NORDHOUSE DUNES
With the Lake Michigan Recreation Area to the north and the Ludington State Park to the south, Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness has a total of 3,450 acres within the Manistee National Forest. Here there are no roads, but two parking areas just outside the Wilderness...at the Lake Michigan Recreation Area in the northern section, or Nurnberg Road at the southeastern corner. From there you can hike through forests, dunes, and along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Camping sites are also available in the Recreation Area.

SLEEPING BEAR DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE
It truly is a magnificent spot here in Michigan, and now the secret is out! Located in northwest Michigan within Benzie and Leelanau counties, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore has the most impressive dunes in the state. Along the seven mile Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, stop at the observation deck, 450 feet above lake level and take in the sights. Straight down is Lake Michigan and one mile north is Sleeping Bear Dune. A Visitors Center, trails, and picnic areas make this a must-see attraction for nature enthusiasts.

Michigan's lakes, forests, beaches, and sand dunes form a combination that can't be replicated in any other state. It's simply Pure Michigan!