Michigan

Forest Dunes

Courses: 4
Best for: Buddies
Airport: TVC
Courses: 4
Best for: Buddies trips
Airport: Cherry Capital Airport (TVC)

Forest Dunes is a golf-first destination tucked into the Huron National Forest in northern Michigan. The resort is built around the Tom Weiskopf-designed Forest Dunes course, Tom Doak’s reversible Loop, the 10-hole Bootlegger short course, and the coming private SkyFall course with limited access expected for stay-and-play guests.

Courses: 4 courses
Best months: May – October
Ideal length: 3–5 days
From airport: About 65 miles / 1h 15m

Golf Courses at Forest Dunes

Michigan · Course 1

Forest Dunes - The Forest Dunes Course

Holes: 18
Par: 72
Yards: 7204
Est.: 2002

A stunning Tom Weiskopf design that winds through the scenic forests of Northern Michigan, offering a classic golf experience with modern challenges.

Michigan · Course 2

Forest Dunes - The Loop (Black)

Holes: 18
Par: 70
Yards: 6734
Est.: 2016

A unique reversible course designed by Tom Doak, The Loop Black offers a counter-clockwise routing that challenges golfers with its innovative design and strategic play.

Michigan · Course 3

Forest Dunes - The Loop (Red)

Holes: 18
Par: 70
Yards: 6785
Est.: 2016

The Loop Red, also designed by Tom Doak, features a clockwise routing, providing a distinct and strategic golfing experience on the same terrain as its counterpart, The Loop Black.

Michigan · Course 4

Forest Dunes - The Bootlegger

Holes: 10
Par: 30
Yards: 1,100
Est.: 2020

The Bootlegger is a 10-hole, 1,100-yard par-3 short course at Forest Dunes designed for fast, casual pitch-and-putt rounds between the main courses.

Trip Packages at Forest Dunes

Starting points. Everything is built around your dates, group size, and the courses you want to play.

Forest Dunes Stay & Play

A golf-first northern Michigan trip built around Forest Dunes, The Loop, Bootlegger, and on-property lodging steps from the golf experience. Ideal for groups that want multiple rounds, architecture variety, and a true stay-and-play setup in the Huron National Forest.

What to Expect at Forest Dunes

Why visit

Forest Dunes is built for golfers who want architecture, variety, and a trip that stays focused on the game. The original Forest Dunes course blends pine forest, exposed sand, and a dramatic finishing stretch, while The Loop offers two completely different routings on the same reversible Tom Doak design. Bootlegger adds a relaxed 10-hole short-course option for extra golf after a full round, and SkyFall brings a new Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner private course to the property with limited access expected for resort guests staying on property. With cottages, villas, lodge rooms, dining, practice areas, and very little reason to leave once you arrive, it is one of the best pure golf retreats in the Midwest.

Accommodations

Forest Dunes offers on-property cottages, villas, and lodge rooms designed for golf groups. Most lodging is positioned within easy reach of the first tees, clubhouse, dining, and practice facilities.

Resort amenities

Forest Dunes is designed as a self-contained golf retreat with nationally ranked courses, a short course, putting and practice areas, on-property lodging, clubhouse dining, and a remote northern Michigan setting. The emphasis is on golf, group lodging, and easy access to the next tee time rather than a broad nightlife or city-resort experience.

Forest Dunes, The Loop, Bootlegger, and SkyFall
On-property cottages, villas, and lodge rooms
Practice and short-game facilities
Clubhouse dining and golf shop
Walking-focused golf experience

Where to stay

3 hand-picked stays.

Each property is selected for proximity to the next round, the kind of evening that fits a long golf trip, and the feel we want for the group.

3 properties

Resort01 / 03

Lake AuSable Lodge

Lodge Room / Two-Bedroom Suite

On-property lodge located just steps from the clubhouse and the first tee of the Forest Dunes course, with standard rooms and two-bedroom suites suited for golf groups.

Best fit for groups that want the simplest walkable stay near the clubhouse.

Included in package

Villa02 / 03

Forest Dunes Cottages

Golf Cottage

Golf-group cottages on the Forest Dunes property with shared living space and easy access to golf, dining, and resort amenities.

Strong option for buddies trips and groups that want a more private stay.

Included in package

Villa03 / 03

Forest Dunes Villas

Villa

On-property villa accommodations designed for destination golf groups looking for more space than a standard lodge room.

Works well for multi-night stay-and-play trips.

Included in package

Plan Your Trip to Forest Dunes

Getting there

Forest Dunes is located in Roscommon in northern Michigan. Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) in Traverse City is the most practical commercial airport for many groups at about 65 miles away, while MBS International Airport (MBS) is about 95 miles away and Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) is about 208 miles away. The resort recommends following its posted driving directions because some GPS routes can route guests onto logging roads.

Best time to visit: The best time to visit Forest Dunes is May through October, with the strongest combination of course conditions, weather, and daylight from June through September. Fall is also a great option for cooler temperatures, color, and a quieter northern Michigan feel.
Who it's best for: Best for buddies trips, serious golf travelers, architecture fans, and groups that want an immersive stay-and-play golf trip without much off-property planning.
Address: 6376 Forest Dunes Dr, Roscommon, MI 48653
Season: Seasonal golf operation; typically spring through fall
Course details: Forest Dunes features the Tom Weiskopf-designed Forest Dunes course, Tom Doak’s reversible Loop with Red and Black routings, Bootlegger 10-hole short course by Keith Rhebb and Riley Johns, and SkyFall, a private Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner course planned with limited stay-and-play guest access.
Location: Roscommon, Michigan
Nearest airport: Cherry Capital Airport (TVC)
Trip style: Resort
Best for: Buddies trips, Golf architecture enthusiasts, Walking golf trips, Stay-and-play groups

Frequently Asked Questions about Forest Dunes

What courses are at Forest Dunes?

Forest Dunes includes the original Forest Dunes course, The Loop reversible course with Red and Black routings, the 10-hole Bootlegger short course, and SkyFall, a private 18-hole course planned with limited access for qualifying stay-and-play resort guests.

What is The Loop at Forest Dunes?

The Loop is Tom Doak’s reversible golf course, played as the Black routing one day and the Red routing the next. It uses the same fairways and greens in opposite directions, creating two distinct golf experiences on one site.

Who designed the courses at Forest Dunes?

The original Forest Dunes course was designed by Tom Weiskopf, The Loop was designed by Tom Doak, Bootlegger was designed by Keith Rhebb and Riley Johns, and SkyFall is designed by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner.

What is Bootlegger at Forest Dunes?

Bootlegger is a 10-hole, 1,100-yard par-3 short course designed for casual extra golf after a main round. It is one of the most social parts of the Forest Dunes experience.

Can resort guests play SkyFall?

SkyFall is being developed as a private club, but Forest Dunes says a carefully administered program will allow a limited number of resort stay-and-play guests to access limited tee times. Availability should be confirmed when planning the trip.

What is the best airport for Forest Dunes?

Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) in Traverse City is the most practical commercial airport for many groups and is listed by Forest Dunes at 65 miles from the resort. MBS International Airport and Detroit Metropolitan Airport are additional options.

Can you stay on property at Forest Dunes?

Yes. Forest Dunes offers cottages, villas, and lodge rooms, including Lake AuSable Lodge near the clubhouse and first tee.

How long should a Forest Dunes golf trip be?

Most groups should plan three to five days, especially if they want to play Forest Dunes, both Loop routings, Bootlegger, and potentially add replay or limited SkyFall access.

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