• Looking out at the lake

    Sleeping Bear Dunes

    National Lakeshore Michigan

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  • Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive will not open until Memorial Day Weekend

    Changes to visitor service due to Sequestration. Due to mandatory, across-the-board budget cuts, some visitor services in this park have changed. Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive will not open until Memorial Day Weekend and will close after Labor Day. More »

  • Some restrooms and trash cans not available until Memorial Day

    Changes to visitor service due to Sequestration. Other than those at the visitor center and campgrounds, restrooms and trash cans will not be available until Memorial Day Weekend and will close after Labor Day. This includes the Manitou Islands. More »

Lichens

A number of studies have been conducted to locate and identify the lichens found within the Lakeshore. Since 1985, researchers have found 195 species which is believed to be over 90% of the lichens present. This amount of lichen flora is good for an area comprised of mostly hardwood forests and dry sand dunes. The bogs and wetland areas were host to several of the northern lichens. Trees along the forest edge, around the farmsteads, and in the abandoned orchards produced many lichens.

The woodlands on stabilized dunes near the Lake Michigan shoreline produced many lichens on both the trees and on the ground as the various lichen species took advantage of the moist, marine environment. Interest in studying lichens as an indicator of air quality and atmospheric pollutants may lead to future research studies within the Lakeshore.

Did You Know?

Port Oneida Fair

Each year Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Park Partners sponsor the Port Oneida Fair the first weekend of August to celebrate the history and culture of rural America. Come and see what farm life was like around 1900 and learn about the arts and crafts of the time. More...