Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - Plan Your Visit (U.S. National Park Service)

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is located in Northwestern Lower Michigan along the shores of Lake Michigan. The Visitor Center is in Empire, MI about 25 miles from Traverse City. Most people visit the park via car, but you can fly to Traverse City and rent a car to drive to the park. Take a look at our Directions page for driving or flying information to the Park.

Kerry Kelly 2005

Beach at Esch Road

You will find a wide variety of activities for every age available to you at the Lakeshore. Climb the Dunes, swim at one of the many beaches, or take a hike through the Maple/Beech forest to some beautiful overlooks. Maybe you will want to spend some time in the museums or tour Port Oneida to learn about the rich history and culture of the area.

Whatever you plan to do while you are here, you will want to plan enough time and to bring appropriate clothing and equipment. Browse the Things To Do pages to get more details.

Kerry Kelly 2005

Platte River Campground

If you are planning to stay for a few days, you can look for accomodations or places to eat in the area by looking in the Things To Know Before You Come pages. If you are bringing a pet, you'll want to review the Pets page. Download a park map or brochures to prepare for your visit.