Places to Explore • Wisconsin

Kohler-Andrae State Park

A ribbon of wooden walkway winds through sandy dunes, past pines and low shrubs, with Lake Michigan waiting just beyond the grasses.

Near Sheboygan, WisconsinLake Michigan dunes & cordwalksPhotography by Brian Woolman

A cordwalk toward Lake Michigan

The walk that keeps unfolding

Which boardwalk is it?

These photographs follow wooden paths through a landscape of open sand, pockets of greenery and views across the lake. Some stretches are almost level; others disappear over a dune or curve toward a shady stand of trees. Benches offer places to stop and take in the changing scenery.

The long dune walkway is most likely the Dunes Cordwalk. The park has several different wooden routes, however, and Brian’s photographs also show a sign for the Creeping Juniper Nature Trail. The photographs do not establish the exact route walked.

Dunes Cordwalk

DNR lists two miles in total: a half-mile north section and a 1.5-mile south section. The route parallels the shore through dunes, wet areas between dunes and white pine forest. It is rated moderate to difficult; wooden surfacing does not mean a flat, accessible walk.

Creeping Juniper Nature Trail

A half-mile loop beginning and ending at Sanderling Nature Center, with signs about dune plants, animals and geology. Stay on the cordwalk through this gently rolling landscape.

Black River Marsh Boardwalk

A separate, accessible quarter-mile boardwalk explores wetland plants and waterfowl habitat, starting at the parking area west of the campground.

Choose your route

Use the official park maps to distinguish the dune paths from the marsh boardwalk. The DNR trail guide describes the park’s other walks, too.

Before you go

Plan a visit beside the lake

Location & admission

1020 Beach Park Lane, Sheboygan, WI 53081. A vehicle admission sticker is required; camping reservations and fees are separate. See official admission and directions for current details.

Hours & busy days

The park is open 6 a.m.–11 p.m. year-round. Warm-season weekends and holidays can be busy, with parking filling and entry sometimes temporarily restricted. Arrive early and check current conditions before heading out.

Prepare for the dunes

Bring water, sun protection and shoes suited to sandy, uneven footing. The photos show sand drifting across sections of the wood. Allow time for the climbs, pauses and views rather than treating the cordwalk as a quick paved stroll.

Learn along the way

Include a stop at Sanderling Nature Center; check its current opening information before your trip. Follow posted trail restrictions and review the park’s pet rules if bringing a dog.

Through Brian’s lens

Cordwalks, curves & quiet stops

Follow the changing character of the wooden paths—from open dune crossings to pine-lined stretches. Select any photograph to open the slideshow.

Wooden cordwalk descends through grassy sand dunes toward Lake Michigan at Kohler-Andrae State Park — A cordwalk toward Lake Michigan

Straight wooden cordwalk crosses low green vegetation beneath wispy clouds at Kohler-Andrae State Park — Green edges along the cordwalk

Rope-lined cordwalk curves through dunes toward a lone pine tree at Kohler-Andrae State Park — A winding path toward a pine

Gray bench stands beside a cordwalk junction in pale sand at Kohler-Andrae State Park — A place to pause

Scattered young pines rise from a sandy dune basin beside the trail at Kohler-Andrae State Park — Young pines in the dunes

Sand partly covers the wooden cordwalk leading toward an interpretive sign at Kohler-Andrae State Park — Sand across the walkway

Cordwalk leads from open dunes toward green woodland at Kohler-Andrae State Park — Toward the woodland

Wooden cordwalk climbs rolling dunes covered with sparse grasses at Kohler-Andrae State Park — Over the rolling dunes

Load 11 more cordwalk photos

Narrow cordwalk winds through dune grasses toward a tall pine at Kohler-Andrae State Park — Following the curve

Trail sign identifies the Creeping Juniper Nature Trail as a half-mile loop beside the cordwalk at Kohler-Andrae State Park — Creeping Juniper Nature Trail

Wooden cordwalk passes low juniper shrubs growing across the sand at Kohler-Andrae State Park — Low shrubs beside the path

Rope-lined cordwalk curves over dunes with Lake Michigan beyond at Kohler-Andrae State Park — A lake view along the cordwalk

Brown bench sits beside the wooden dune walkway at Kohler-Andrae State Park — A bench along the way

Cordwalk curves between exposed sandy slopes with sparse grasses at Kohler-Andrae State Park — Between sandy slopes

Partly sand-covered cordwalk climbs a dune between rope posts at Kohler-Andrae State Park — Sand on the climb

Cordwalk passes shaded trees with a view toward Lake Michigan at Kohler-Andrae State Park — At the wooded edge

Bench overlooks Lake Michigan beside the dune cordwalk at Kohler-Andrae State Park — A bench with a lake view

Cordwalk bends around a sandy dune basin dotted with shrubs at Kohler-Andrae State Park — Around a dune basin

Kohler Park Dunes State Natural Area interpretive panel displays a map and shorebird illustration at Kohler-Andrae State Park — Learning about the dunes

Lake Michigan & the dune landscape

Wide lake horizons alternate with closer views of sand hollows, driftwood and the patchwork of plants covering the dunes.

Sweeping dune cordwalk and Lake Michigan beneath thin clouds at Kohler-Andrae State Park — Dunes beside a blue lake

Pale beach and blue Lake Michigan appear beyond dune grasses at Kohler-Andrae State Park — Beyond the dune grass

Driftwood rests on the sandy Lake Michigan beach beside blue water at Kohler-Andrae State Park — At the water’s edge

Low green shrubs cover rolling dunes beneath the Lake Michigan horizon at Kohler-Andrae State Park — A green carpet on the dunes

Pale sand dune crest lies between Lake Michigan and lakeside trees at Kohler-Andrae State Park — On the dune crest

Dune grasses overlook a sandy shoreline curving toward trees at Kohler-Andrae State Park — Following the shoreline

Exposed sandy hollows lie among scattered pine trees at Kohler-Andrae State Park — Sandy hollows and pines

Dune basin contains grasses, scattered pines and mats of low green plants at Kohler-Andrae State Park — A patchwork of dune plants

Look a little closer

Plants, birds & a living shoreline

The lakefront is more than a scenic backdrop. DNR reports more than 150 resident and migratory bird species and more than 400 plant species at the park. Lake Michigan provides an important migration corridor in spring and fall. Bring binoculars, listen as you walk and leave flowers where they grow.

The plant photographs include beach pea, hound’s-tongue and leafy spurge. Not every attractive flower belongs to the native dune community: Wisconsin DNR identifies hound’s-tongue and leafy spurge as invasive plants. Leafy spurge can crowd out native vegetation. These images are useful reminders to notice both the plants that give a place its character and the conservation challenges within it.

Purple beach pea flowers and green leaves grow from pale sand at Kohler-Andrae State Park — Beach pea in the sand

Close view of purple beach pea blossoms and paired green leaflets at Kohler-Andrae State Park — Beach pea blossoms

Small maroon hound’s-tongue flowers grow on hairy stems at Kohler-Andrae State Park — Hound’s-tongue blossoms

Yellow-green leafy spurge flower bracts appear above narrow leaves at Kohler-Andrae State Park — Leafy spurge close-up

Patch of yellow-green leafy spurge grows among dune grasses at Kohler-Andrae State Park — Leafy spurge among grasses

Keep to designated paths and cordwalks, respect ropes and signs, and enjoy dune plants without picking them. The close-up photographs bring the small details into view without needing to step off the trail.

Official visitor resources: Kohler-Andrae State Park · Hiking trails · Visitor information · Maps · Current conditions · Nature and wildlife. Trail details and visitor information checked October 2026; consult DNR for updates.

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Kohler-Andrae State Park