Pros & cons
PROS
- Wide vistas over an interdunal wetland and surrounding dunes
- Consistently good birdwatching (herons, ducks)
CONS
- Mosquitoes and ticks in warm months
- Trails can be muddy after rain
Overview
This small viewing platform looks out across Long Lake, an interdunal wetland tucked just off West Beach Road and linked to the park’s Long Lake Trail. It’s a simple stop with a big payoff: open water framed by cattails, marsh edges, and dune slopes in various stages of natural succession.
What Makes It Interesting
Long Lake once stretched for miles; today it covers about 34 hectares with shallow depths shaped by shifting dunes and past human activity, including early 20th-century sand mining. You’re basically getting a front-row seat to the park’s classic dune–wetland mosaic without committing to a long hike.
Wildlife
Bring binoculars. This spot is popular with birders for a reason—herons and ducks are regulars, and you might also catch deer browsing the edges or turtles basking near the marshy shallows. Early and late in the day tend to be most active and photogenic.
Getting There & Amenities
The platform is a quick detour from the Long Lake Trail and close to West Beach Road. There is public access parking nearby, but don’t expect much else—there are no on-site restrooms, water, or picnic tables. Restrooms are located at more developed areas like West Beach.
Conditions to Expect
Expect bugs in warmer months and occasional muddy, even flooded, trail patches after rain near the marsh. Portions of the approach can be sunny with limited shade, so plan your layers and sun protection.
Best Time to Visit
Weekday mornings are the sweet spot for quiet and wildlife; late afternoon light is lovely for photos. Posted hours run roughly 8 AM–10 PM, but sunrise/early morning is when the lake feels most alive and least busy. Summer evenings can see a small bump in visitors.
Pair It Up
If you’re already headed to West Beach or pedaling the Marquette Trail, this makes an easy nature stop that adds wetland scenery to your dunes-and-beach day.
Where it is
41.6160, -87.2158Tips for Long Lake Viewing Platform
- 01Bring binoculars or a zoom lens—herons and ducks are common.
- 02Apply bug spray before you leave the car in warm months.
- 03After rain, expect muddy stretches; waterproof footwear helps.
- 04Stay on marked paths to protect fragile dune and marsh habitats.
- 05For calm light and active wildlife, aim for early morning.
Amenities
Near Long Lake Viewing Platform
All places →All trails →
0.3 mi awayWest Beach - Dune Succession TrailShort dune loop with stairs, skyline views, and a beach finishModerate · 1 mi · 22 min
0.3 mi awayLong Lake Trail (West Beach)Quiet loop with lake-edge birding, sand, and a rare jack pine stretchEasy · 2.2 mi · 1.3 hr
0.5 mi awayWest Beach TrailStairs, sand, and skyline views over classic Great Lakes dunesModerate · 3.5 mi · 1.8 hr
0.7 mi awayTolleston Dunes OverlookRoadside boardwalk over dunes and wetlands, with birding and quietPullout · Parking
0.7 mi awayWest Beach OverlookStair climb to sweeping dune and lake views above West BeachTrailhead · Restroom
0.7 mi awayDunes Succession Trail BoardwalkShort loop with big dune climb and Lake Michigan viewsTrailhead · Restroom
0.8 mi awayWest BeachBig, amenity-rich stretch of Lake Michigan with dune viewsTrailhead · Restroom
0.8 mi awayDune Succession TrailShort loop of dunes, stairs, and big Lake Michigan viewsModerate · 1 mi · 22 min
