Janet Love

Park Ranger Peg Burman leads visitors on a snowshoe hike to an inland lake.

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Date: March 5, 2008
Contact: Lisa Myers, 231-326-5134

The popular Saturday afternoon snowshoe hikes at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will continue into March as long as snow conditions permit.  March often provides some of the best snowshoeing conditions of the winter and this appears to be one of those years. Meet at the Lakeshore Visitor Center in Empire at 1:00 p.m. each Saturday.  If you don’t have your own, snowshoes will be provided free.  Later in the month, when there is not enough snow, rangers will offer guided nature hikes to explore the changing of the seasons.

Inside the Visitor Center, park rangers will first provide basic snowshoeing instructions and then, everyone will travel by car to the trailhead or area the ranger has pre-selected.  Once there, the ranger will encourage participants to learn about the park’s unique features and winter’s effect on them by exploring and discovering clues on site.  Be prepared and plan to be outside until about 3:00 p.m.  Dress in layers and wear waterproof boots to be most comfortable.

Not only is snowshoeing easy, fun, and good exercise, it is also an activity that can be enjoyed by all ages.  The ranger-led hikes are mildly strenuous, yet they proceed at a leisurely pace for only one and a half miles at the most.  This allows visitors an opportunity for discovery, adventure, and to look for signs of wildlife or evidence of ancient glaciers.  Some snowshoers simply want to experience and enjoy a winter wonderland and that is what you will find at the National Lakeshore.

The National Park Service has a supply of snowshoes for use within the Lakeshore.  Participants need only purchase the park entrance pass or have an annual pass to join in the fun.  Reservations are not required but are suggested, especially if you wish to borrow snowshoes or are with a group.  Please call 231-326-5134, extension 328, for details and to make reservations.