At a Glance
- Approximate Street Address: 4574 S Audubon St, Holland, MI
- Located just south of Holland, Dune Pines Nature Preserve protects a forested dune ecosystem. A loop trail leads hikers through rolling backdunes that feature mature trees and good opportunities for viewing birds and other wildlife.
- Trail length: 0.6 miles. (See Trail Map)
- Before you visit, check out our preserve guidelines. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.
Visitor Information
The trailhead is on the north side of Audubon Road, about a quarter-mile west of 66th Street. Visitors can park on the shoulder of Audubon Road in front of the preserve sign.
What to See
The forested, rolling hills of Dune Pines Nature Preserve provide an ideal setting for a quiet walk through the woods. Wildlife enthusiasts appreciate the diversity of birds, which are particularly abundant during the spring and fall migration periods. History buffs can walk along the old Interurban Railroad bed on the west side of the preserve.
Conservation Value
In an area surrounded by development, Dune Pines Nature Preserve protects an important forested backdune ecosystem near a designated Critical Dune Area. Together with a privately-held conservation easement and Castle Park Reserve, Dune Pines helps protect more than 50 acres of continuous lakeshore habitat.
What’s New
With the help of volunteers, the Land Conservancy is working to remove invasive species like oriental bittersweet and periwinkle that threaten the health of the forest.
History
The western boundary of the preserve is marked by the bed of the Interurban Railroad, which once transported vacationers from Chicago to summer getaways in West Michigan. The tracks themselves are gone, but the raised railroad grade is still evident.
In 2006, the Land Conservancy purchased the property with the support of families with ties to Laketown Township.
