• Looking out at the lake

    Sleeping Bear Dunes

    National Lakeshore Michigan

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  • Maritime Museum closed

    The Maritime Museum and Boathouse are closed until further notice.

Cottonwood Trail

Starting at this trailhead, you can take a l.5 mile walk on the dunes. Click to see a trail map and description of the hike. The trail is strenuous in places but will give you a close look at the beauty and diversity of the dunes. You will see areas that are stabilized with native dune vegetation such as bearberry and buffaloberry. 

This is one of the few places where you can even see a birch tree on the dunes. In some places, wind erosion has produced bowl-shaped dunes known as blowouts, while in other places, the build-up of sand has partially buried living trees. Perhaps you will see some colorful wildflowers or tracks in the sand that reveal the elusive wildlife of the dunes. Take the time to get acquainted with this unique environment. Please stay on the designated trail. 

 
Cottonwood Trail view of the Dune Climb
Cottonwood Trail view of the Dune Climb and D. H. Day Farm
Kerry Kelly 2006
 

Did You Know?

North Manitou Island Beach

North Manitou Island, part of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, is located in the pristine waters of Lake Michigan about 8 miles off the Northwest part of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. It's 15,000 acres, managed as wilderness is Backpacking Heaven! More...