There are many campgrounds, cabins, hotels, and more. When you reach the Lake Michigan beach, youll be able to explore a little and find remnants of two shipwrecks. This is the 2.8-mile loop. Sleeping Bear Dunes Hiking Trails At A Glance Full Details on All the Sleeping Bear Dunes Hiking Trails 1. August 3, 2022 by Julian Hooper Comments: This hike takes you through the native plants of the Sleeping Bear Plateau to Lake Michigan. The best time to hike this trail, however, is during the fall. As the 1950s progressed and timber harvests and tourism increased, many became concerned about the need to protect wilderness areas by law. The Leelanau Peninsula, located in the northwest of Michigan, is a great spot for a day trip or two while in the Sleeping Bear Dunes area. The Otter Creek Loop from the trailhead on Esch Road travels along Otter Creek and Lake for a 4.6-mile journey. How to get there: Continue along M-22 and M-109 north from the visitor center. Traverse City is about 28 miles from the Sleeping Bear Dunes visitor center. Ride through the historic logging village of Glen Haven and D.H. Day Campground on your way to Glen Arbor. This adds just a little distance and ends with a 2.5-mile hike. How to get there: To reach the Otter Creek trailhead off of Esch Road, head south on M-22 from the visitor center for 3.9 miles. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes and take lots of water. However, Sleeping Bear Dunes is the absolute perfect travel destination for those who love the outdoors. Explore the beautiful towns and unique spots along the Leelanau Peninsula. Here you can find all info on domestic travel insurance for your trip. If youre there in the right seasons, here are some of the best sunset spots. This means that if you purchase a product after clicking one of these links, we may earn a small commission. After 0.4 miles, keep left to stay on the same road. These are the Sleeping Bear Loop, the Northern Loop, and the Grand Traverse Bay Loop. Drive Time from Philip A. Hart Visitor Center:11 minutes. We recommend spending at least two to three days to fully experience what the Sleeping Bear Dunes area has to offer. These stories are an Anishinaabe (Odawa/Ottawa, Ojibway/Chippewa and Potawatomi) oral tradition of a sacred place within their homelands in the Great Lakes. Buy local, burn local! This is probably the most popular Sleeping Bear Dunes hiking spot. The trail currently starts in Empire and ends near Bass Lake on the northern side of the park. WebGo for a bike ride on the new Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail! Pay a visit to this charming piece of Empire with a rich history. This includes a 1920s working blacksmith and General Store. It connects a lot of the top attractions, making it ideal for visiting the Dune Climb, Glen Haven, and the like. exploring this area of the park. It does lead to a few nice little spots near kettles moraine and bog. It is also a really easy hike on flat land but does have access to a beach and smaller sand dunes at the beginning. Communities, including Glen Haven and Port Oneida, sprang up around the mainland sawmills. This trail might be one best saved for when there hasnt been any rain in the last couple of days. Firstly, the obvious spot is Pierce Stock Scenic Drive; of course, with many wonderful views from the scenic drive, there will be amazing sunsets. All of the hiking trails in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore have their perks and draws, but some rise above the rest. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore has all the Caribbean vibes with deep blue water, sandy beaches and beautiful hikes with overlooks of the shoreline. A few miles around the Bay View trailhead and through Port Oneida are crushed stone and probably best avoided on rollerblades. Where are the best spots for hiking in Sleeping Bear Dunes? Cellular reception is varied throughout the park, but public WiFi is available at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire, the Dune Center at the Dune Climb and at the Glen Haven General Store. While exploring this area, many visitors enjoy the scenery and landscape. The area lies on the same parallel as some of the major wine-growing regions in France, such as the Rhone Valley and Bordeaux. Looking for other suggestions on where to explore? While Sleeping Bear Dunes first comes to mind as a place of forest and sand dunes, there are also many beautiful beaches to enjoy. The Sleeping Bear Dunes hiking trails are a huge draw for people wanting to explore the sandy mounds and the terrain in between. It's 110 feet up sand to the FIRST plateau, then 100+ feet MORE up This is only permitted on certain lakes and requires a powered ice auger. The one thing you should know about the free map is that not all of the small side roads, especially dirt roads, are included on the map. Turn right in 6.2 miles onto Day Farm Road. There will be a parking lot on your right just before going through the ticket booths for the drive, where you can find the trailhead. If you havent gotten your fill of sandy climbing yet, then youre in for a treat. Dont be fooled into thinking this hike will be a breeze due to the short distance. In winter, with fewer leaves on the trees, the overlook would be better. However the protection was purely administrative-meaning new leadership could do away with it at will. 9922 Front Street Some park attractions and roads, like the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, are closed during the winter. Ask a ranger for advice for things to do that match your interests. The sand gets really hot, really quickly in the summer, and you dont want to end the hike with burnt feet. Hike the entire outter loop! However, little development occurred until European immigrants began arriving in greater numbers in the mid-1800s. Our full guide to Sleeping Bear Dunes covers everything there is to do. Many think its a historical piece but it was actually only created in 1991. The Sleeping Bear Point Life-Saving Station was built in 1901. MI If you are short on time, here are 8 awesome things to do on a Sleeping Bear Dunes day trip. You can take lessons at the local yacht club. Be sure to check the NPS website for current conditions in the park (including road and trail closures). Sleeping Bear Dunes has 13 main trails covering many miles of the park. WebPyramid Point Loop. Mother bear reached the shore first and climbed to the top of a high bluff to watch and wait for her cubs. As you explore the park and complete tasks off the list share your story with us on social media by using the tags #100SLBE #FindYourPark. For the shortest possible hike, take the Farms trail to the Ridge Trail, past the Lookout Point, and back to the Farms Trail to return to the trailhead. During this, a park employee guides children on the live breeches buoy process for saving sailors from sinking works. The peninsula is full of beautiful places to explore and charming little towns to visit. Eventually, both of them came to the surface as two little islands, and so the bear still lies there atop the dunes, looking after her children. However, the water is a bit cold, even in the warm months. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission (for which we are deeply grateful) at no extra cost to you. See if you can catch some largemouth bass, bluegill, crappies or rainbow trouts. Many recommend hiking this trail in a counterclockwise fashion, which arrives much more quickly at a spur trail to a less-visited beach along Lake Michigan. Pyramid Point Loop North Manitou Island, the larger of the two islands, is a designated wilderness area offering 15,000 acres for back-country camping, hiking, and exploring. Sleeping Bear Dunes Access to the Manitou Islands is by private boat or by ferry service run by Manitou Island Transit. How to get there: Just head to the Platte River Campground! Drive Time from Philip A. Hart Visitor Center: 12 minutes. WebExplore the most popular trails in my list Sleeping bear dunes with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. WebThere is no shade, so wear hiking shoes, apply sun block and bring water. At the beginning of the trail, youll see some historical significance of the area in the charcoal kilns used by Pierce Stocking during his years working in the area. In 0.3 miles, youll turn right into the campground, where if youre camping for any length of time, youll need to stop and check in at the ranger station. The hiking trail is about 2.7 miles, with the overlook being 0.6 miles in. Sleeping Bear Dunes 49630, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. While enjoying Port Oneida, there are fun opportunities for the whole family, whether it be learning about history, taking photos outside, or even playing old-fashioned games that are shown in the exhibit. A short return trip, less than 1 mile, and you will have returned to the campground where you will lay your head for the night. Another great option is Glen Haven Beach, which is perhaps one of the most popular beaches with many amenities and even a museum. As much as we enjoy traveling, we also love sharing our knowledge and helping others create everlasting memories through our custom-made travel posters, downloadable travel itineraries and detailed blog articles. In short YES! The entrance to the Dune Climb will be labeled by a large park sign on the left, accessed by following Hunter Road for 100 yards. Length 2.5 miElevation gain 538 ftRoute type Loop. Some rarer animals are around too, including the parks namesake, the black bear. The Act established the National Wilderness Preservation System which encompasses federal land protected by four agencies-the Forest Service, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Land Management. The Platte River Campground (where we stayed) is located in the southern area of the park and offers electric hook-ups, modern restrooms, and hot showers. Turn left onto South Gilbert Road, and follow this road for 1 mile to W Baatz road. Some sections are quite steep. Once, long ago, in the land called Wisconsin across the great lake, there was terrible hunger and many people died. Its usually known for its bright blue waters but as it gets dark, the bright yellow-orange fills the sky and creates a different atmosphere. After 3.4 miles, youll turn left at the entrance to the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. We also wouldnt recommend heading this hike in flip-flops, even though it passes on so much sand. Stop at Lookout Point to snap a photo from the bench while taking in the views of the farmland and Lake Michigan in the distance. Experience this 2.5-mile loop trail near Maple City, Michigan. Then you can keep walking across the dunes, at this point you can even start to see views of Lake Michigan. Once all the mature trees had been harvested, the mill was closed. In 1948, he purchased forest land from D.H. Day, where he set up a sawmill and used a charcoal kiln to convert the sawmill waste. Human remains, which likely date back to prehistoric times, were found at Sleeping Bear Dunes, park officials confirmed Tuesday. At other smaller or less crowded areas, there are no staffed ticket booths, but a receipt or park pass is required to be paid and displayed on your car prior to beginning your hike. Sleeping Bear Dunes Now over a million visitors come to Sleeping Bear Dunes every year to experience all that this stunning national lakeshore has to offer! We still found it to be enough to find everything we wanted to see in Sleeping Bear Dunes. So how do you spend your time at Sleeping Bear Dunes? We are Amy & Pete Brahan. Sleeping Bear Dunes Park is amazing when it comes to wildlife spotting. First, some quick things to know about the DH Day campground thats located in Sleeping Bear Dunes. Leading through the typical maple-beach forests, then through a smaller set of dunes, eventually in 0.8 miles, youll end up at the beach on Lake Michigan. As the sun goes down, it can get a little chilly. It mostly consists of walking out over the dunes. They also arent permitted at the backcountry campsites both on the mainland and the Manitou Islands. In an 11.9km (7.4mile) loop, the scenic drive covers some of the most beautiful spots in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. During the summertime, this trail is great for viewing wildflowers in the meadows. They walked for many days on the beach together, but after a while the two little cubs began to whimper with hunger, and so the bear decided to swim across the rest of the lake. There is a really good chance that this post contains affiliate links. Its the perfect picnic for anyone family, friends, or couples. Then, turn right onto Esch Road. Currently, at the time of publication, it covers about 22 miles. This map of the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail including all the trailheads from the NPS website would be extremely helpful in planning your route from start to finish. Late spring is also an ideal time to visit the park to avoid crowds. The top-recommended trail in Sleeping Bear Dunes is the Empire Bluffs trail. The spur trail entails about 0.5 miles of hiking to reach the beach. However adding a wilderness designation ensures that protecting natural conditions is a priority. The trail is mostly shaded, except for the 0.2-mile spur to the lake, where you can dip your toes in midway through the hike. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore southern area map, courtesy of the National Park Service. Being such a lowland trail, it can go beyond muddy to flooded out, even when some of the other area trails are in great condition. So youre planning a camping trip in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore! This is a great spot to view a sunset from atop the dunes, but it can be quite windy since it is so open. Climb, explore, and play on the Dune Climb, and enjoy the popular and amazing views. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is home to the famous Sleeping Bear Dunes, two islands, miles of Lake Michigan lakefront, 5+ inland lakes, several campgrounds, and miles of hiking and biking trails. The trail is mostly shaded and would also be great to hike on a hot, sunny day. If you dont have your own car, we recommend you to check out Discover cars. While visiting Sleeping Bears Dune, its pretty common for people to eat at home or at their camping spot, but at least once we want to out to a restaurant. The area is particularly well-known for its white wines, although sparkling wines, dessert wines, and the like are also available. Youll then need to return 0.8 miles the way you came to get back to the trail split. Camping inside Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore: There are two front-country campgrounds inside the parkthe Platte River Campground and D.H. Day Campground. Very simply, we are passionate about our National Parks and Public Lands and explore them with our three kids whenever we can. The trailhead can be found in 0.8 miles on the left. Theyre NOT allowed on hiking trails or beaches. Glen Arbor is one such town and lies smack in the middle of Sleeping Bear Dunes. Sleeping Bear Dunes In general, Sleeping Bear Dunes isnt much of a biking area. River kayaking is sometimes considered easier for beginners, as there is less control needed. Sleeping Bear Dunes is the largest freshwater dune system in the world. The high place also creates an above from everything feeling. The Cottonwood Trail, accessed via the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, is another popular trail in the area. Here's another way to cool down on a hot summer day. The place to get away from the crowds on this trail to continue on the rest of the outer loop through the forest and meadow scenery. With the proximity to the beach, its a place with great cultural heritage and a popular spot to visit for both historical knowledge and relaxing time. Many of the beaches in Sleeping Bear Dunes allow swimming, especially in summer. A beech-maple Forest is largely surrounding the trail, which is very scenic, especially in fall. The Sleeping Bear Point Trail is another spot where youll find plenty of loose, sandy terrain. This means there are also rip currents, and it is important to not swim alone. Text of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Conservation and Recreation Act. It is a working lighthouse and is listed in the Coast Guard guide. When back-country camping on North Manitou Island, our recommendations include: South Manitou Island, the more developed of the two islands, features lighthouse, a grove of old growth White Cedars, a shipwreck, perched sand dunes, miles of beaches and three primitive campgrounds. One of the best places for river kayaking is Platte River, with a short float or long float available. A surprising number of people havent just seen a picture of it or viewed it from an overlook they know it from having had direct personal experience with it. If you have only a few hours to spend at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, you will want to start at the Phillip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire, MI to get oriented, get your maps and see the slide show. If you choose to continue, youll need to conquer 5 more dunes before reaching Lake Michigan. There is rolling countryside, and many of the houses have a few maple trees. Go wet & wild. This trail, however, is not one where you will descend the dunes to the waters of the lake. Food & Drink Foodie Day Trip Destination: Sleeping Bear Dunes Venture to guess where can you eat an unlimited brunch, drink cherry wines, climb a sand dune, and dip your toes in the water all in one day? Leashed pets are allowed on most trails, at both Platte River and D.H. Day campgrounds, and on specific stretches of beach within the park. There is some signage, but it can get a little confusing. Here, M-22 veers to the right, but youll want to keep straight onto S Thorenson Road. Old farm equipment can be found along the trail, marking the historic use of the land. While the Wilderness Act authorized legislatively protected wilderness areas, the first wilderness areas were created by the United States Forest Service. They waded into the water, one cub on each side of the bear, and they swam off into the lake a long way. 49630, Download the official NPS app before your next visit, As you explore the park and complete tasks off the list share your story with us on social media by using the tags, Watch Dreams of the Sleeping Bear at the, Watch some wildlife (from a safe distance), Find the flying squirrel at the visitor center, Explore the US Life-Saving Service Station, Learn about D. H. Day at the general store, Learn how to break the grip of a rip current, Enjoy the porch of the historic Log Cabin at D. H. Day campground, Climb to the top of the South Manitou Island Lighthouse, Sign the guestbook at the South Manitou Island Visitor Center, Learn about the boating history of the area at, Find yourself in a steamer wheelhouse with a, Pose for a photo in one of our Find Your Park frames, Step back in time at the Port Oneida Fair.