Place

Dynamic Dunelands Wayside

A wayside with a photo of dune grasses. Callouts have photos of wild roses and thistles.
Dynamic Dunelands Wayside on the Dune Trail

At the top of this slope, you will transition from the older dune forest into younger, more open dunes. In this dynamic environment, plants get a foothold in the sand one day and are buried by swirling sand the next. Notice where grasses have caught and stabilized sand grains, and where forests have hunkered down out of the wind.

The trail ahead of you will take you up a slope and to a spectacular view of Lake Superior. Please stay on the trail to protect fragile dune plants.

The scents of wild roses, pine, and balsam poplar fill the dunes on hot days. Hear the wind blowing through dune grasses and feel the texture of the sand.

Many of the park’s rarest plants, like the threatened Pitcher’s thistle, grow in the dunes. The park works continually to protect sensitive plants by keeping invasive species out of dune habitats.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Last updated: September 17, 2024