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Sleeping Bear Dunes National LakeshoreCottonwood Trail - Glen Lake
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Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Cottonwood Hiking Trail

Distance:

One loop of 1.4 miles

Terrain:  

Rolling dunes

Vegetation:

Grasses, shrubs and wildflowers of the dunes

Comments:

A self-guided brochure is available at the trailhead.  It describes the plant life and geology of the dunes.  Much of the trail is through loose sand and is strenuous.

Click to download a map in pdf format.

 
Dunes Hiking Trails
NPS Map 2006
Dunes Hiking Trails
 
Cottonwood trail

Kerry Kelly 2006

View of DH Day Farm and Lake MI from the Cottonwood trail

The Cottonwood trail takes you through the perched dunes above the Dune Climb and provides access to a variety of dune plants and wildflowers.

 
Glen Lake from Cottonwood Trail

Kerry Kelly 2006

Glen Lake

The Cottonwood Trail provides beautiful views of Glen Lake and the Dune Climb.
 
Lake Michigan Overlook, Sleeping Bear Dunes  

Did You Know?
The sand and gravel bluffs on the Lake Michigan shore in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore are 450 feet above the lake level providing outstanding views and sunsets. On a clear day, you can see South Manitou Island.
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Last Updated: September 27, 2006 at 13:59 EST