Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a national lakeshore run by the National Park Service in Michigan.

In the park service’s words

Miles of sand beach, bluffs that tower 450’ above Lake Michigan, lush forests, clear inland lakes, unique flora and fauna make up the natural world of Sleeping Bear Dunes. High dunes afford spectacular views across the lake. An island lighthouse, US Life-Saving Service stations, coastal villages, and picturesque farmsteads reflect the park’s rich maritime, agricultural, and recreational history.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

• Port Oneida Fair: Step back in time at the Port Oneida Fair and experience life as it was in the late 1850's through the early 1940's.
• ParkPuzzler (30 to 90 Minutes): Park Puzzler- a set of puzzles that you can complete while in the park or anywhere!
• Visit Glen Haven Historic Village (1 to 4 Hours): Glen Haven is the best-preserved cord wood station on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, and perhaps in the entire Great Lakes. It was a company town, eventually diversifying into farming, canning of fruit, and tourism. Today, the history of Glen Haven is still preserved within several buildings that you can visit dur
• Explore Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive (1 to 4 Hours): Enjoy spectacular views of Glen Lake, undulating sand dunes, and breathtaking views of the grandest of all dunes, with shimmering Lake Michigan as the backdrop. Wind through cool forests of sugar maple and beech trees. Take a moment along the way to enjoy a picnic, take a walk, or just linger in the sunshine.
• Biking in the Lakeshore: Where can you bike in the Lakeshore? On public roads or the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail but not on any other park trails.
• Paddle and Fish Loon Lake (30 Minutes): Have a picnic on the shore of one of the park’s tranquil inland lakes. A big lake with a sandy bottom, Loon Lake has a new fishing pier and accessible kayak launch.
• Float the Platte and Crystal Rivers (2 to 3 Hours): Canoe, kayak, or float these calm rivers. Rent equipment near either launch site if you don’t have your own. Great for kids!

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: $25 per vehicle. The America the Beautiful pass covers it.

Hours: Open 24 hours, every day. The Lakeshore is open 24 hours a day. Campgrounds, visitor centers, and facilities have separate hours, however, please see descriptions of those facilities elsewhere.

Camping

Lodging

• Boekeloo Lodge: The Boekeloo lodge has been a landmark in Benzie County for over 70 years. Sitting along a cranberry bog, the quiet beauty of the pond and surrounding forest, and the reflection of the cabin on the still water invites visitors to sit right down and enjoy the setting. The building started as a homest

Getting there

From the south (Detroit or Chicago areas) :Take US-31, US-131, US-27 to M-115 & M-37, I-75 and M-72 North to Traverse City, then west on M-72 to the Village of Empire. You will see the visitor center as you enter Empire on your right. You may also get to Empire from the south via US-31 to Ludington and then north to Manistee. You can follow either US-31 or M-22 from north of Manistee. From the north (Michigan's Upper Peninsula), take I-75 to Grayling and follow M-72 to Traverse City or take US-31 south

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

• Philip A. Hart Visitor Center: Daily, 9:00AM - 4:00PM. Open all year except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
• [South Manitou Island Visitor Center](): Closed. The South Manitou Island Visitor Center is closed in 2026.
• Port Oneida Heritage Center: Mon 11:00AM - 3:00PM; Tue 11:00AM - 3:00PM; Wed 11:00AM - 3:00PM; Thu 11:00AM - 3:00PM; Fri 11:00AM - 3:00PM; Sat 10:00AM - 2:00PM; Sun Closed. The Port Oneida Farm Heritage Center is operated by Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear. phsb.org

Weather

Spring: Temperatures usually range from 40 F to 70 F. Rain is common. Summer: Temperatures usually range from from 50 F to 83 F. Rain and sun are equally common. On very sunny days, be prepared with plenty of water--heat exhaustion is common, especially when hiking on the dunes. Fall: Temperatures range from 40 F to 70 F. Fall foliage is at its peak around mid September. Winter: Temperatures range from 15 F to 40 F. Snow is common and is on the ground for most of the winter. Dress in warm layers.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Indiana Dunes, about 232 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

• National Park Service Data API: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (public domain)
• Official website

Last checked 1 November 2026.