Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a 70,000-acre park protecting the dunes and 35 miles of lakeshore on Lake Michigan along the northwest coast of the lower peninsula of Michigan. Additionally, North and South Manitou Islands are included in the lakeshore. The park was established in 1970 with some controversy due to the government's seizure of private property. Today, the park features miles of beach access and hiking trails through the dunes and forest, multiple campgrounds and scenic driving roads.

Contact Information:

9922 Front Street

Empire, MI 49630

Phone: (231) 326-4700

Map:

Trails:

Empire Bluff Trail:

Empire Bluff Trail from a trailhead just south of the town of Empire. The trail leads about 3/4 of a mile to an overlook on Empire Bluffs.

Platte River Campground Trail:

Platte River Campground Trail leads from the campground to the Lake Michigan beach.

Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive:

Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is a 7.4 mile loop drive with several scenic overlooks. Pierce Stocking was a lumberman in Michigan's forests who loved the bluffs and dunes. The road was first opened in 1967.

Glen Lake Overlook:

Glen Lake Overlook provides scenic views of Glen Lake's beautiful water.

Dune Overlook:

Dune Overlook provides excellent views of the dunes and access to Cottonwood Trail.

Lake Michigan Overlook:

Lake Michigan Overlook has excellent views of the lake from an overlook 450 feet up. Although not prohibited, it is not recommended to climb down to the lake.

Points of Interest:

Empire Bluffs:

Located at the end of Empire Bluff Trail, this west-facing overlook of Lake Michigan is an excellent spot to watch sunset.

Wildlife:

Common soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) is an invasive species.

Some type of little frog hopping around our campsite.

Melanistic (black morph) of eastern gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) are common in the park.

Blog Entries:

24-Aug-2020: Tahquamenon Falls

23-Aug-2020: Sleeping Bear Dunes

External Links:

National Park Service website: https://www.nps.gov/slbe/index.htm