Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Usual hours

• Mon–Sun 0:00–0:00

From 56 published days, 2026-10-24 to 2026-12-18; community-mapped.

About

This park's official page lists: Pet-friendly (leashed).

This park's official page lists: Wheelchair-accessible facilities.

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

At the park

• Camping activity
• Hunting activity
• Beaches scenic feature
• Wildflowers scenic feature
• Wildlife & bird watching scenic feature

Events

• Yoga on the Beach
• Fall Bird Migration Walk - Otter Creek
• Fall Bird Migration Walk - North Bar Lake
• 10 am -12 pm, 1- 3 pm, Pop-in Program -- Out of Sight, Out of Mind: The Hidden Journey of Your Trash
• Sleeping Bear Storytime
• Dune Plateau Geology Hike
• National Public Lands Day Celebration
• Anishinaabek and The Great Lakes 11:00 AM–12:00 PM · Stop #11 on the Scenic Drive, it will take a minimum of 15 minutes to get to this stop from the Scenic Drive Entrance.
• The Falling Leaves Moon (October) 02:00 PM–03:00 PM · We will meet at picnic tables near the parking lot closest to the Dune Center and bathrooms. No dune climbing required.

Before you go

Mobility

Available in the park: mobility & stroller rentals. Confirm rental availability and pricing with the park.

Disability access

This park's official page states it has wheelchair-accessible facilities. Specific routes, transfer access and equipment vary — confirm with the park for your needs.

Limits

Picnic areas are available at the Dune Climb, Glen Lake, Glen Haven, Good Harbor Beach, Loon Lake, Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, and the Platte River Picnic Area

Limits

Service animals are allowed in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Limits

Launching, landing or operating unmanned aircraft in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is prohibited except as approved in writing by the superintendent

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

Weather & 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.

Park alert: Fall Hunting Seasons

Michigan has many designated hunting seasons for different animals. Several of these hunting seasons overlap and begin mid-September. Hunting is permitted within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in accordance with Michigan state laws and regulations. Hunting is not permitted within 450 feet of popular sites within the park, which are listed in the Superintendent's Compendium. Wearing brightly colored clothing is recommended for visitors.

Visitor center

Charles & Hattie Olsen Farm

Visitor center

Charles & Hattie Olsen Farm

Visitor center

D. H. Day Group Campground

Visitor center

D.H. Day Campground and Ranger Station

Visitor center

D.H. Day Campground and Ranger Station

Visitor center

D.H. Day Campground and Ranger Station

Visitor center

D.H. Day Campground and Ranger Station

Visitor center

D.H. Day Campground and Ranger Station

Visitor center

Dune Center

Visitor center

Dune Center

Visitor center

Dune Center

Visitor center

Dune Center

Facilities on the park map

10 bench, 2 changing table, 1 defibrillator, 4 first aid kit, 2 mobility rental, 39 picnic area, 53 restroom, 58 visitor information, 12 water fountain.

Where to stay

• D. H. Day Campground The rustic D.H. Day Campground is located in the northern district of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, on the lower peninsula of Michigan. This beautifully wooded campground is one of the most popular in northern Michigan, with easy access to the Dune Climb, the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, and museums and the historic village of Glen Haven. and is located only 2 miles from the restaur · 87 campsites · Accessibility: D.H. Day Campground has one accessible campsite, on packed soil, with a vault toilet adjacent. Water spigots supply water throughout the campground but are not…
• D. H. Day Campground Group Campground The D.H. Day Group Campground offers more rustic camping. You will find dirt roads, vault toilets, and ready access to the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail. There are no electric hook-ups or showers. The campground is located in the northern part of the park roughly mid-way between the Dune Climb and Glen Haven. · 4 campsites · Accessibility: The DH Day Group Campground is not accessible
• Weather Station Campground - South Manitou Island The Weather Station Campground overlooks Lake Michigan from the bluffs on the south side of the island. Camp sites are well secluded from each other and have fire pits for open fires. Follow the wooded trail past the lighthouse about 1.3 miles to the campground. Bring water filtration equipment since there is no source of purified drinking water. There are 20 individual sites and 3 group sites. · 23 campsites · Accessibility: No accessible camping
• Bay Campground - South Manitou Island The Bay Campground is the closest campground to the dock. Bring water filtration equipment because there is no source of purified drinking water. There are 25 individual sites and 3 group sites. · 28 campsites · Accessibility: No accessible camp sites
• Popple Campground - South Manitou Island The Popple Campground is the furthest from the dock (about 3.5 miles), so you are likely to have fewer people camping there. The campground is close to the beach on the northern tip of the island. Bring water filtration equipment since there is no source of purified drinking water. There are 7 individual sites · 7 campsites · Accessibility: No accessible camping
• White Pine Backcountry Campground This camp has 6 sites and is located about 2 miles from the Trail's End Road trailhead on the Platte Plains hiking trail south of Empire just off of M-22 and is about 1/2 mile from the Lake Michigan shore where you can obtain fresh water. There is no well water at White Pine, so if you use water from Lake Michigan, it must be treated before drinking it. · 6 campsites · Accessibility: No accessible campsites
• Village Campground - North Manitou Island The small Village Campground contains eight first-come, first-served designated campsites, two fire rings and one outhouse. There is a limit of two tents and four people per site. Fires are permitted in the community fire rings at the Village Campground. · 8 campsites · Accessibility: No accessible camping
• Platte River Campground Platte River Campground is open year-round and offers a wide variety of camping styles. You can find back-in and pull-through sites for RV's, including electrical hookups; but it also offers beautiful tent sites, walk-in sites for the slightly more adventurous, and group sites (hike-in, tents only) accommodating up to 25 people. There is even a nearby backcountry campground for those who enjoy a g · 179 campsites · Accessibility: Platte River Campground has nine campsites which are wheelchair accessible: four are electric sites; two are non-electric, two walk-in non-electric sites, and…

History

Opened

1970

• Park opened
• Sleeping Bear Dunes Wilderness opened