Kerry Kelly 2007

A Day at Glen Haven beach

Interested in helping us keep our beaches clean? Check out the Adopt-A-Beach program run by the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Beach fires are permitted only on the mainland beaches of Lake Michigan between the water's edge and the first dune. Please do not build fires on or near vegetation and remember to extinguish your fire with water and clean up all debris before leaving. Thank you for helping to keep the beach fire tradition alive and our beaches clean for everyone's enjoyment.

Glass containers are prohibited on all beaches in the park.

Kerry Kelly 2005

Otter Creek empties into Lake Michigan at Esch Road

Sometimes Lake Michigan is a little colder than you want for swimming, so there are a few swimming areas on inland lakes in the Lakeshore too: North Bar Lake - just north of Empire is usually pretty warm and has easy access to Lake Michigan too. Glen Lake picnic area is just north of the Dune Climb and provides access to swimming in Glen Lake.

One of the most interesting features of the Lake Michigan shoreline is the dynamic beach structure where streams flow into the Lake. The shape of the inlet changes depending on the wave action from Lake Michigan. You can experience this at the inlet of North Bar Lake to Lake Michigan, and at the Esch Road access point where Otter Creek empties into the Lake.