Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Travel Guide: The National Park
As I explained in the first part of this series, my partner and I spent our three-year anniversary visiting the beautiful Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. In this blog I will talk about the park itself, providing highlights on the best views and hikes. For more information on lodging, you can read part one here.
Philip A. Hart Visitor Center
On Saturday, we woke early to visit the Sleeping Bear Dunes. Our trip started at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire. The visitor center opens at 9 a.m. on Saturdays. I recommend arriving shortly after the visitor center opens, especially during peak season hours in the summer. For the visitor center’s full hours, visit its website here. While at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center, we bought our park passes. Our park entrance pass was 25 dollars and valid for seven days. The Philip A. Hart Visitor Center also has maps and resources available for your dune adventure. If you are looking for any souvenirs, this is the place you will purchase these as well.
Sleeping Bear Point Trail
Our first stop from the visitors center was our long hike for the day, Sleeping Bear Point Trail. This hike is moderate. For context, I hurt my knee biking the day before we left and was confined to a knee brace for the whole day. (Spoiler alert: I took about five tumbles in the dunes because of this.) Before heading to the Dune Loop Trail portion, you can take the trail to the right for remote access to Lake Michigan. This was an excellent spot to hunt for Petoskey stones, while not running into a large number of people.
The Sleeping Bear Point Trail sign in Empire, Mich.
Remote access to Lake Michigan from the Sleeping Bear Point Trail in Empire, Mich.
The Dune Loop Trail is about 2.5 miles long. The dunal landscape was not easy to hike. However, the views of Lake Michigan are breathtaking and worth it. The first portion of the hike feels like a scene throughout a movie; you are but an ant in the immensity of the dunes. It’s a moment you reflect upon while thinking of how lucky you are to experience a natural treasure this closely. The hike ends through the forest, a nice break from the high incline of the sand dunes.
The Dune Loop Trail at Sleeping Bear Point Trail in Empire, Mich.
Views of Lake Michigan from the Dune Loop Trail at Sleeping Bear Point Trail in Empire, Mich.
Glen Haven
Our second stop was the abandoned Glen Haven village. Due to COVID-19, the general store and Blacksmith Shop were closed in the village. However, this tiny village is home to a lot of history. I recommend taking 15 minutes to stop, walk around, and dive into the history of this small village on the Lake Michigan shoreline that supplied fuel to steamers traveling the Great Lakes.
Dune Climb
Of course, our third stop was the Sleeping Bear Dunes Dune Climb. The Dune Climb is sure to provide lots of laughs. We spent time sitting in our car and watching kids and families struggle to complete the dune climb and roll down the dunes. It was almost as fun as climbing it ourselves! The top of the dune climb provides a beautiful look of Glen Lake. You can also hike the dunes all the way to Lake Michigan, which may take as long as four hours.
Empire Bluff Trail
Hands down, the best view of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is at the Empire Bluff Trail. This 1.5-mile trail is an easy hike. Due to the amazing views and easy hiking level, the trail is packed. We wore our masks the entire time, as the path is not wide and you are within six feet of others. This is an attraction you do not want to miss.
There are many other attractions to see at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. However, if you only have a day to explore the area, these are the attractions I recommend the most.
For insights on food in the area, click here for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Travel Guide: Local Food.
The Sleeping Bear Dunes Dune Climb in Empire, Mich.
Views of Lake Michigan from Empire Bluff Trail in Empire, Mich.
