Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore was authorized by congress on October 21, 1970.  It encompasses a 35 mile stretch of Lake Michigan's eastern shoreline and North and South Manitou Islands.  The Park was established to preserve the "outstanding natural features, including forests, beaches, dune formations, and ancient glacial phenomena...for the benefit, inspiration, education, recreation, and enjoyment of the public."  The Lakeshore also contains many cultural features including an 1871 lighthouse, three former U.S. Life-Saving Service or Coast Guard Stations and an extensive rural historic farm district - Port Oneida.

Other Statistics

General

Annual Visits - 1,143,857

Employees - 46 permanent, 84 seasonal

Volunteer Hours - 29,595 from 850 volunteers

Natural and Cultural Resources

Area - 71,199 acres

Lake Michigan Shoreline - 65 miles (35 miles on the mainland)

Inland Lakes - 26

Miles of rivers and streams - 12

Terrestrial plant species - 908

Bird species - 246

Federally threatened or endangered species - 4

Historic structures on List of Classified Structures - 369

Sites on National Register of Historic Places - 8

Cultural Landscapes - 9 (4,500 acres)

Prehistoric archeological sites - 150

Historic boats - 24

Lighthouse - 1

Historic artifacts - 2,500

Archived documents - 500

Infrastructure

Buildings - 370

Employee housing units - 28

Campgrounds - 9 (357 sites)

Picnic Areas - 5

Visitor Centers - 3

Outdoor ampitheaters - 2

Miles of roads - 23

Covered bridge - 1 (Pierce Stocking Drive)

Miles of trails - 105

Lake access ramps - 9

Signs and wayside exhibits - 596

Major photovoltaic power systems - 2

Motor vehicles in fleet - 63

Large boats - 4