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Making America's Best Idea Even Better
Sleeping Bear Dunes National LakeshoreView of Lake MI bluffs from Empire Bluffs Trail
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Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Empire Bluff Trail

Distance:

Round trip is 1.5 miles.

Terrain:  

Hilly

Vegetation:

Beech-maple forest, fields, and dune plants.

Comments:

The trail leads to a high bluff overlooking Lake Michigan.  A self-guided brochure is available at the trailhead.  For your safety and to protect the environment: please do not descend the bluff.  The trail ends at post #6 in winter because of hazardous ice and snow conditions on the boardwalk and bluffs.

Click to download a map in pdf format.

 
Empire Bluff Trail Map
NPS Map 2006
Empire Bluff Trail Map
 
View of Lake MI from Empire Bluff
Terry Phipps 2005
View of Lake MI and South Bar Lake from Empire Bluff Hiking Trail.
 
Old Farm Equipment on Empire Bluff Trail

Kerry Kelly 2006

Old Farm Equipment along the Empire Bluff Trail marks the location of an old farm.

The view of the Lake Michigan shoreline and South Bar Lake from the Empire Bluff Overlook is spectacular.  On a clear day, you will also see South Manitou Island.  On this 1.5 mile round trip hike you will also find 6 numbered posts which correspond to an interpretive description of the area along the trail.  Be sure to pick up a trail map brochure at the trailhead and take it along with you on your hike.
 
Deer Hunt  

Did You Know?
You can hunt for deer in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. In fact there are special hunts on North Manitou Island to help manage the size of the deer herd on the island.
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Last Updated: September 26, 2006 at 21:23 EST