Entrance Fee
$25.00
/ Commercial Entrance - Sedan
Park Hours (Today)
All Day
Philip A. Hart Visitor Center: 9:00AM - 4:00PM
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About the Park
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.
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What to See & Do
Port Oneida Fair
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
Park Puzzler- a set of puzzles that you can complete while in the park or anywhere!
Visit Glen Haven Historic Village
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 into farming, canning of fruit, and tourism. Today, the history of Glen Haven is still preserved within several buildings that you can visit during your trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes. In the summer, these buildings are open to visit and staffed with knowledgeable and friendly volunteers.
Explore Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive
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 forests of sugar maple and beech trees. Take a moment along the way to enjoy a picnic, take a walk, or just linger in the sunshine.
Biking in the Lakeshore
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
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.
Self-Guided Tours
Port Oneida Rural Historic District
The rolling hills and idyllic landscape of Port Oneida have remained relatively unchanged since the turn of the 20th century. Most of the houses appear much as they did in the last century with only minor changes or “modernization.” Through this well-preserved rural landscape, we can catch glimpses of a rural community’s hard work and struggle to farm the land and provide for and raise their families. These historic properties are being preserved by Lakeshore and its partner Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear.
The homelands of the Anishinaabek
Visit sites of historical and cultural importance to the Anishinaabek, the first peoples of this area.
Tour the South Manitou Island Lighthouse Complex
Tour the South Manitou Island Lighthouse Complex
Visitor Centers
Philip A. Hart Visitor Center
The Philip A. Hart Visitor Center is located on M-72 just east of the intersection with M-22 in Empire, MI. You will find a wealth of information about the park and the natural and human history of the area. Park passes, brochures, and maps are available at the Information Desk. If you have questions, rangers and volunteers are available to assist you.
South Manitou Island Visitor Center
The former general store for the island now serves as a visitor center. It houses an interesting collection of photos and artifacts that tell the story of what life was like for the loggers, farmers, and members of the Life-Saving Service who made the island home.
Port Oneida Heritage Center
The Port Oneida Heritage Center, at the Olsen farmhouse is operated by Sleeping Bear Forever (previously Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear), a nonprofit partner of the national park. During seasonal open hours the Heritage Center offers exhibits and artifacts in the farmhouse that tell the story of the late 1800s agricultural community of Port Oneida. The large barn is open and people can enjoy the gardens and a small museum store.
Where to Stay
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.
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.
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
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.
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 restaurants and shops of beautiful downtown Glen Arbor.
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.
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 great backpacking experience, but don't have the time to head for the Manitou Islands.
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.
Getting Here & Transit
How to Get Here
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
Park Amenities
Entrance Fees & Passes
Standard Fees
Commercial Entrance - Sedan
$25.00Sedan 1-6 Person Capacity $25.00 + $10.00 Per Person 16 years or older (up to a maximum of $40.00)
Commercial Entrance - Van
$40.00Van 7-15 Person Capacity $40.00
Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus
$40.00Mini Bus 16-25 Person Capacity $40.00
Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach
$100.00Motorcoach 26+ Person Capacity $100.00
Entrance - Private Vehicle
$25.00Entrance pass - vehicle 1-7 day.
Entrance - Motorcycle
$20.00Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
Entrance - Per Person
$15.00If you enter the park on a bicycle or on foot and are at least 16 years old, you need your own entrance pass. Children under the age of 16 don't need an entrance pass.
Annual & Lifetime Passes
Annual Entrance - Park
$45.00Sleeping Bear Dunes Annual Pass
Operating Hours
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
The Lakeshore is open 24 hours a day. Campgrounds, visitor centers, and facilities have separate hours, however, please see descriptions of those facilities elsewhere.
- MondayAll Day
- TuesdayAll Day
- WednesdayAll Day
- ThursdayAll Day
- FridayAll Day
- SaturdayAll Day
- SundayAll Day
Photos
An overlook of two blue lakes surrounded by trees with fall leaves
A trail overlooking a large lake at sunset
A stunning lake surrounded by the setting sun
Dunes at sunset surrounded by two lakes
When to Go
Crowd CalendarPlan your trip around peak seasons to avoid crowds or embrace the energy of the busy months. Our crowd predictions are based on historical NPS Visitor Use Statistics.
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Best Time
May-September
Trip Length
1 day
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