Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is an outstanding natural classroom that provides educational opportunities to many schools and institutions each year. In keeping with this commitment of encouraging educational use of the park, entrance fees are waived for educational groups that fall within the criteria listed below.

Criteria for Fee Waiver

1. The school group outing must be conducted for educational purposes by a bona fide educational instituion.
2. The educational or scientific purposes of the visit must relate directly to the resources of the park. A visit primarily for recreational purposes does not qualify for a fee waiver.
3. Groups are required to provide a Statement of the Purpose of their visit. This statement must be drafted on official school letterhead.
4. Include the school FAX number with the Statement of Purpose.
5. Mail or FAX the Statement of Purpose to the following address prior to the visit.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Attn: Fee Program Manager
9922 Front St. (M-72)
Empire, MI 49630-9797
FAX: (231) 326-5382

Once the park receives and approves the Statement of Purpose, a completed Fee Waiver Form listing the school and date of the visit will be faxed back to the school. Schools that use the park on a regular basis for educational visits may request a blank Fee Waiver Form to be held by the school's administrative office. The administrative office is then responsible for issuing the Fee Waiver Form to the Instructor or Group Leader and notifying the park of the planned visit. 

Please display your Fee Waiver Form on the dashboard of EACH vehicle while you are in the park.

If you have questions, please call the park at 231-326-5134.