Top Ten Tips for Visiting Sleeping Bear Dunes

Plan Like A Park Ranger

Click the image to download the Trip Planning Guide.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is expecting over 1.2 million people to visit the park during the summer 2024. This guide will give you some key tips, links, and tools to help you "Plan like a Ranger" for your adventure! Having a plan will help you avoid common mistakes that can affect your visit and even lead to injury.

1. Stay safe

Recreate responsibly. Watch a short safety video to prepare for a visit to the beach or dunes. The state of Michigan Beach Guard program shares daily information on water quality for swimming. Find out more tips, like how to avoid ticks, on the Lakeshore's safety page.

2. Buy your pass ahead of time

All visitors must have an entrance pass to display on their car while visiting Sleeping Bear Dunes. Save time by buying a pass online!

3. Check the current conditions

Keep up to date with what could impact your visit by book marking the current conditions page.

4. Have a pet-friendly visit

You and your pets are welcome to enjoy the park together in select areas. This includes most hiking trails during the summer and specific stretches of beach.

5. Know where you are staying

Campsites in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore are reservable up to six months in advance. It is unlikely that first-come, first-serve sites will be available most days of the summer. If you are planning on camping, and do not have a reservation, be sure to have a plan B. For a list of other local campgrounds and lodging, visit the local chamber of commerce websites.

6. Come early or stay late

Explore these areas before 10 am or after 4 pm when there are less crowds, lower temperatures, and better parking spots.

• Dune Climb
• Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive
• Philip A. Hart Visitor Center
• Empire Bluff Trail
• Pyramid Point Trail

7. There's an app for that

Plan ahead and download the NPS mobile app before your visit. Be sure to select offline access for Sleeping Bear Dunes. This gives you access to self-guided tours and maps even if you don't have cell service.

8. Half the park is after dark

Sleeping Bear Dunes offers some great places to explore the night skies. View constellations you never knew existed, watch in awe the expanse of the Milky Way, and perhaps catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.

9. Get off the beaten path

Get off the beaten path by visiting some of the lesser known trails in the park including Kettles Trail, Windy Moraine Trail and Shauger Hill Trail. Or step inside the Charles and Hattie Olsen Farmhouse for a journey into the historic life of the pioneers in the region. The Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear organization has a summer full of activities planned.

10. Attend a program or event

Evening programs are offered in both campgrounds and anyone can attend. Look for pop-up programs throughout the summer and chat with a park ranger at the mobile visitor center or green tent. Check out the calendar during your visit.