It's time to head to The Dunes!
Now in its 45th year, this staple LGBTQ+ resort is hitting record attendance numbers as queer travelers across the globe enjoy their dream getaway.
Based in Douglas, Michigan, The Dunes Resort has everything a gay tourist could want. It all starts with an extremely welcoming and kind staff, followed up by the delicious food and drinks, a stunning pool, indoor and outdoor bars, drag and cabaret shows, and beautiful queer peers all around.
2026 has proven to be an extremely difficult year, especially for LGBTQ+ people. As the hostile political climate continues to gain momentum, finding and visiting safe spaces such as The Dunes Resort are more crucial than ever.
The second I walked onto the grounds, I immediately felt the love from the chosen family that I spent my entire weekend with. From the fabulous drag queens to the friendly bartenders, the community is what truly makes The Dunes Resort stand out.
With different activations and themes taking over every week during the summer, there is truly something for everyone in the LGBTQ+ community to enjoy while on property. There's a reason why The Dunes Resort is nearly sold out every weekend!
The sexy go-go dancers may serve as eye candy at the gorgeous pool, but my personal favorite part of my experience at The Dunes Resort was meeting so many diverse people under the sun. I met best friends who finally reunited on their gaycation, chosen families enjoying a needed getaway, husbands who have been together for decades, and even locals who are supporting their favorite gay establishment. All weekend we mingled in the pool, sang our hearts out at the nightly cabaret shows, tipped the local queens during their sickening numbers, enjoyed delicious cuisine at neighboring eateries, and truly bonded as a community.
It's so easy to get caught up in the noise with everything happening around us, but the smiles on everyone's faces at The Dunes Resort brought me queer joy at a time it's needed most. It felt like home checking into this hotel, even though it was my first time ever stepping foot on the property.
The DunesRicky Cornish / The Dunes
The beautiful town of Douglas also features Pride flags at countless restaurants, bars, and stores that really make the whole experience so liberating and inviting. It's rare to find a rural destination where the surrounding environment embraces queer culture so strongly, and it made the entire trip feel incredibly special.
What also makes a visit to The Dunes Resort so fulfilling as a queer person is that this iconic LGBTQ+ destination was created as a form of rebellion. Founded in 1981 by Carl Jennings and Larry Gammons, the resort was born out of resilience after downtown Saugatuck repeatedly denied them a liquor license for a gay bar. Instead of finding property in another state, they bought a run-down motel in nearby Douglas, creating a vital sanctuary for the LGBTQ+ community in the Midwest.
Fast forward nearly five decades and every color of the rainbow is shining brighter than ever at The Dunes Resort. I'm extremely privileged to keep the tradition alive by visiting this legendary queer establishment, and I'm already manifesting another trip in the future.
Don't miss out on your chance to visit The Dunes Resort! Holiday weekends book out months in advance, so plan your trip by visiting the official website here.
