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We hope you will find answers to your questions here or elsewhere on the web site, but if you don't, please contact us. We are interested in hearing from you, because we want you to have a wonderful experience at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, AND your questions will help us improve our web site
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Location and Hours
The Philip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire, Michigan is open seven days a week, year-round. It is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. The Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is open late spring to late fall. The Dune Climb is open daily, year round, as are the hiking trails, and most areas in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. For other hours of operation, visit the current conditions page There is no fee to drive on the county and state roads that run through the park, but if you plan to stop at any of the attractions or use the park land for swimming, hiking, skiing, etc., you will have to pay an entrance fee that covers all passengers in the vehicle. There are also fees for camping and backpacking. Visit Fees & Passes for detailed information. Park Passes can be purchased at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center all year or easonally at D.H. Day Campground, Dune Climb, Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, and Platte River Campground. Yes, Sleeping Bear Dunes is part of the National Park Service where National Park Annual, Access, Military Annual, Millitary Lifetime, and Senior Passes are accepted. Visit Fees & Passes for more information. You can purchase a park pass at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire all year long or seasonally at Platte River Campground, Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, Dune Climb, or D.H. Day Campground. You can also scan a QR code and purchase a weekly pass digitally at trailheads and beach accesses. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is located along the Northeast shore of Lake Michigan in the State of Michigan, in the United States of Michigan. It spans across Leelanau County and Benzie County. Below are addresses for prominent locations within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore which can be entered into your GPS:
The Philip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire, Michigan is open seven days a week, year-round. It is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. The Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is open late spring to late fall. The Dune Climb is open daily, year round, as are the hiking trails, and most areas in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. For other hours of operation, visit the current conditions page. There is no fee to drive on the county and state roads that run through the park, but if you plan to stop at any of the attractions or use the park land for swimming, hiking, skiing, etc., you will have to pay an entrance fee that covers all passengers in the vehicle. There are also fees for camping and backpacking. Visit Fees & Passes for detailed information. Park Passes can be purchased at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center all year or easonally at D.H. Day Campground, Dune Climb, Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, and Platte River Campground. Yes, Sleeping Bear Dunes is part of the National Park Service where National Park Annual, Access, Military Annual, Millitary Lifetime, and Senior Passes are accepted. Visit Fees & Passes for more information. You can purchase a park pass at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire all year long or seasonally at Platte River Campground, Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, Dune Climb, or D.H. Day Campground. You can also scan a QR code and purchase a weekly pass digitally at trailheads and beach accesses. FacilitiesCanoes, kayaks, and tubes may be rented through private outfitters near the Platte River Campground, and on the Crystal River in Glen Arbor. Many of the inland lakes within the Lakeshore are restricted to boats without motors. Bicycles may be rented through private outfitters in Glen Arbor and Empire. Books, clothing, souvenirs Souvenirs, books, and clothing is available at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire, the Dune Center at the Dune Climb, and the Glen Haven General Store operated by America's National Parks. Many local businesses in Empire and Glen Arbor also offer souvenirs for sale. The exhibits at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center provide an overview of the geology, animals, plants, and peoples of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Many trails and other points of interest also provide informative signate on the natural landscape. Picnic areas are available at the Dune Climb, Glen Lake, Good Harbor Beach, Loon Lake, Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, and the Platte River Campground. There are three locations in the park where books are sold: the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire, the Dune Center at the Dune Climb, and the Glen Haven General Store. Cell phone coverage is not consistent throughout the park. Some areas have good coverage, while more remote areas may not. There is limited cell coverage on the Manitou Islands. Do not rely on your cell phone for emergency communication while in the Lakeshore. There are showers at the Platte River Campground. The D.H. Day Campground does not have showers within the campground. Full service public restrooms are available at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center, the Dune Climb, and in Glen Haven near the General Store. Other public restrooms are located at various points of interest and hiking trailheads throughout the park. Within the park there is opportunity to stay the the Sleeping Bear Inn, located in Glen Haven. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore surrounds two communities with many lodging and eating options. Please visit chambers of commerce to find lodging, restaurants, grocery stores, and other activities in the area.
There are no full hook-up sites, but the the Platte River Campground has 96 sites with electrical hook-ups. The D.H. Day Campground does not have electrical hookups, and select sites that prohibit use of a generator. Both campgrounds have access to seasonal dump and fill stations. Most roads in the park are county or state roads and are open to RVs or travel trailers. The Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive has some steep hills and tight curves. For that reason, there is a parking area at the entrance of the Scenic Drive for you to drop off your travel trailer before taking the drive. Dropped-off trailers may be picked up on the way out. Local HistorySeveral books are available at the park store in the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center, the Dune Center at the Dune Climb, and at the Glen Haven General Store that describe different aspects of the local history. Junior Ranger workbooks are filled with information about local history and nature for both adults and kids, available by request at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center, and Glen Haven Cannery, Maritime Museum, and Blacksmith Shop. Visit the museums and exhibits in the park during your visit. The following list provides you options:
Visit the Empire Museum on M-22 in Empire. They offer a wide variety of exhibits on the history of this logging and farming community. Visit Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear at the Charles Olsen farm on M-22 north of Glen Arbor. TLearn about the farming history of Port Oneida and Manitou Islands. The Port Oneida Fair is held on the second Friday and Saturday in August. The Fair is comprised of subsistence farming and craft exhibits of the late 1800's and early 1900's, which detail what life was like in Port Oneida during that time. Other exhibits and events will be listed in the Schedule of Events section of the website The Philip A. Hart Visitor Center for a map of the farms and more information about the historic farms in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Several of the preserved Port Oneida farmsteads feature additional signage, information about additional farms within the park are available on our website. There is some evidence of pre-historic Native American presence in the park. Pottery or stone tools can sometimes be found uncovered by shifting sands on the dunes or near inland lakes or streams. If you come across an object that your believe is an artifact, please leave it where it is and inform park staff so it can be documented according to federal laws. The Shalda Cabin is the oldest building in the park, and it is located on the corner of county road 669 and state route M-22 in the Port Oneida Rural Historic District. The cabin was constructed in the mid-1850’s by Czech and German settlers, who used log construction techniques common to the Black Forest in Central Europe. It was restored in 2004 using these same historic techniques. Plants and AnimalsThe exhibits at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center are the best place to get an overview of the natural history of the park and see examples of wildlife may get to see in the park. Yes! Take a walk along the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail at the Dune Climb to see for yourself just how fast the dunes are moving. Generally, they move about 2 feet per year to the East due to the prevailing westerly winds blowing the sand. The Sleeping Bear Point Life-Saving Station had to be moved in 1930 to prevent it from being buried in sand. The dunes are built up from sand that is either blown up from the beach (beach dunes) or from the sandy moraine on the plateaus (perched dunes). Most of the gravel, and rocks in this area were deposited by the glaciers in big hills that you see along the lakeshore, also known as moraines. The wind blows sand on top, forming dunes. When you are seeing rocks in the sand, you are actually looking at part of the glacial moraine underneath. Black bears are sometimes seen in the park, but they are very uncommon. Over the past few years, there have been several confirmed cougar sightings across Michigan. However, there haven’t been any confirmed reports in Leelanau county or Benzie county, where Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is located. If you believe you have seen a cougar, please report it to park rangers, and try to gather evidence such as a photograph or the location of a footprint Many wildflowers grow in the park. An extensive database of wildflowers in Sleeping Bear Dunes is available on the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes website maintained by one of our volunteers. Several comprehensive wildflower books are available for viewing or purchase at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center. Many invasive species can be found in the Lakeshore, both on the land and in the water, and treatment plans are in effect to deal with these species. Do not attempt to remove any invasive species you find in the Lakeshore, as this can cause them to spread to new areas where they have not yet become established. Several invasive plants can also irritate the skin when picked, so it is best to leave them alone and/or report them to a ranger. Things to Do at the Sleeping Bear Dunes he tallest dune in the park is the Lake Michigan Overlook, which is approximately 450 feet above the lakeshore. The vast majority of visitors take in the view from atop the bluff and don't risk erosion, injury, and rescue fees by going down-not to mention the hour or two it can take to climb up!
The Lake Michigan Overlook is located at stop #9 of the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, which is a 7.4 one way drive that will take a minimum of 1.5-2 hours to complete when stopping at all 12 stops. The Lake Michigan Overlook is the most popular stop on the drive, you’ll need to plan ahead to improve your chances of finding a parking spot. Cooler times of year, mid-week, and early mornings or late afternoons are the best times to secure parking. Make sure you avoid marked no-parking zones. All vehicles are welcome, vehicles with trailers will need to drop their trailer at the Shauger Hill parking lot before entering the scenic drive. The drive closes to vehicles for the seasonal winter closure in late October or early November, weather depending. The drive remains open to foot traffic in the winter. Every season draws us to this magnificent natural area of Northern Lower Michigan. The season that draws you depends on what you like to do. In the summer, you will find this area of Michigan bustling with activity, shops, and arts & craft shows. You can relax on the beach, camp, float down the river, or visit some of the museums. Fall provides beautiful views of the colored leaves and blue water of Lake Michigan set against the crystal-clear blue sky. The crisp air is perfect for taking a hike to the many scenic lookouts in the park. Winter offers beautiful white, quiet snowshoeing and skiing through the woods, or a brisk walk along the icy shores of Lake Michigan. During a cold winter, you will see piles of ice blocks on the shore and get an appreciation of the power of nature to change the shore. Spring brings a splash of color as nature awakens from the white blanket of snow. Enjoy a walk through the woods or meadows and enjoy a wide variety of wildflowers and songbirds. The Dune Climb is the most popular attraction. It creates and revives memories of struggling to reach the top and running down the dunes. The Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive offers several beautiful vistas and a lovely drive through the beech-maple forest and dunes. The museums in Glen Haven have become one of the biggest attractions for those who want to learn as well as play. Head to the beach! With 65 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, you will find great beaches in the Lakeshore. The campgrounds are filled most of the summer with campers from all over the United States and the world who come to enjoy the shores of Lake Michigan. No, the best way to see the dunes in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is on foot. If you want a dune buggy ride, you'll have to drive south of Ludington to the Silver Lake State Park. Backcountry camping areas are off-limits to dogs, but you can still enjoy the Lakeshore with your pets at many hiking trails and picnic areas. Several beaches are closed to pets seasonally to protect the Great Lakes piping plover, which is a federally protected shorebird. All pets must be on a leash or in a carrier while in the Lakeshore. Bikes are not permitted on hiking trails, dunes, or beaches, but you may ride on the 22-mile Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail and on all maintained roads. The Port Oneida area has several back roads that run along the farmsteads and near the Lake Michigan shore. Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is open to vehicles with a wide shoulder for bikes. It is a 7.4-mile paved road with steep hills, making it a challenging ride. As a strenuous ride, you will want to drive the road first to be sure you want to ride it. Most main roads have wide paved shoulders for bikes and there is a nice paved bike path from Frankfort to Crystal Lake south of the park. Check our biking web page for more information. While there are no official mountain biking trails, several roads in the park provide rugged biking opportunities. These include Lasso Road near the Platte River, Shauger Hill Road near North Bar Lake, and Aral Road near Otter Creek. The Leelanau Conservancy’s Palmer Woods Forest Preserve is the closest official mountain biking trail in the area. The park’s entire Lake Michigan shoreline is open to swimming. Be aware of rip currents that can drag you out into deeper water since there are no lifeguards on duty. Lake Michigan remains cold even when the air above is very warm, so ease yourself into the water to avoid thermal shock. The inland lakes that allow swimming, such as Glen Lake and North Bar Lake, tend to be warmer than Lake Michigan. No, camping is not permitted on the Lake Michigan beach. Camping on the mainland is permitted only in designated campgrounds. Yes, beach fires are permitted on the mainland beaches of Lake Michigan between the water's edge and the first dune. Please do not build fires on or near vegetation. You can help by extinguishing your fire with water and cleaning up all debris before leaving. Do not bury fires - hidden embers can burn unsuspecting feet. Beach fires are not allowed on the Manitou Islands except in designated fire rings. There are several ranger-led programs, especially during the summer months. Check the Calendar web page for the schedule. Visitor Centers and Campground Offices will also have information posted about the weeks' scheduled programs. The schedule of evening programs can be found on the Calendar web page, schedules are also posted at the visitor center and campground offices. No, personal motorized watercraft are not permitted on inland lakes, streams, or within 1/4 mile of the n Lake Michigan shoreline. Rules & RegulationsYou can enjoy the Lakeshore with your pets at many hiking trails and picnic areas. Pets are not permitted on the Dune Climb Trail or Sleeping Bear Point Trail. Several beaches are closed to pets seasonally. All pets must be on a leash or in a carrier while in the Lakeshore. Check our Pets web page for details No, camping is not permitted on the Lake Michigan beach. Camping on the mainland is permitted only in designated campgrounds. Yes, beach fires are permitted on the mainland beaches of Lake Michigan between the water's edge and the first dune. Please do not build fires on or near vegetation. You can help buy extinguishing your fire with water and cleaning up all debris before leaving. Beach fires are not allowed on the Manitou Islands except for the fire ring on the beach in front of the Bay Campground on South Manitou Island. Launching, landing or operating unmanned aircraft in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is prohibited except as approved in writing by the superintendent. 36 CFR 1.5. Horseback riding is only permitted on the Alligator Hill trail. Michigan’s Shore-to-Shore trail begins in Empire and is also a good option for horseback riding nearby. Weddings can be held in the park. Visit our Weddings Policy page for more information |
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Last updated: July 5, 2024