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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 »
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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 »
Saturday Snowshoe Hikes Resume at the Dunes!
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Ranger Bill Herd leading a snowshoe hike.
NPS
Contact: Lisa Myers, 231-326-5134 Now that the snow has arrived, join a National Park Ranger on snowshoes and explore Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in all its winter splendor! Snowshoe walks are offered every Saturday beginning December 29, and continuing through the end of February. Meet at the Lakeshore Visitor Center in Empire at 1:00 p.m. If you don’t have your own, snowshoes will be provided free of charge. If there is not enough snow, rangers will still offer a guided winter hike. 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. Visitors should arrive prepared and plan to be outside until about 3:00 p.m. To be most comfortable, dress in layers and wear waterproof boots. 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. For more in-depth information about Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, please see our website or call 231-326-5134. |
Did You Know?
There are 21 inland lakes within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Explore one of these small lakes for a close-up view of some of the birds, mammals, and wildflowers protected there. By the way, the fishing is usually great! More...