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National Lakeshore

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

  • Midwest

Plan a Sleeping Bear Dunes trip

About Sleeping Bear Dunes

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.

Region
Midwest
State
Michigan
Designation
National Lakeshore
Entrance fee
$25, private vehicle
  • Trail data for this park is still being added.
  • Places for this park are still being added.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, weather and getting to Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Entrance fees

  • $25 Private Vehicle Entrance pass - vehicle 1-7 day.
  • $20 Motorcycle
  • $15 Per Person

Passes

  • $45 Annual Entrance - Park

Hours

Open 24 hours a day, 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.

Weather and when to go

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.

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

Directions from the National Park Service

Contact the park

Address
9922 Front Street, Empire, MI 49630
Official site
nps.gov/slbe

From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.

Trip planner

A day-by-day plan for Sleeping Bear Dunes

Tell us your dates and what you are into. We group the stops by where they are, so each day is one part of the park, not a zigzag.

Plan your park trip Free. No account needed.

Things to do in Sleeping Bear Dunes

The park service's own list, with how long each takes.

  • Port Oneida Fair

    Cultural Demonstrations · about 45 min

    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

    Hands-On · about 50 min

    Park Puzzler- a set of puzzles that you can complete while in the park or anywhere!

  • Visit Glen Haven Historic Village

    Museum Exhibits · about 2 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 int…

  • Explore Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive

    Self-Guided Tours - Auto · about 2 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…

  • Biking in the Lakeshore

    Biking · about 45 min

    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

    Paddling · about 30 min

    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

    Paddling · about 2.3 hours

    Canoe, kayak, or float these calm rivers. Rent equipment near either launch site if you don’t have your own. Great for kids!

Campgrounds in Sleeping Bear Dunes

Run by the park service. Reservable sites book on Recreation.gov; first-come sites do not.

What to pack for Sleeping Bear Dunes

Gear & Essentials

Tell us about your trip and we will add what else you will want:

The basics

Worth having in the car whatever the park.

For this trip

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