• Looking out at the lake

    Sleeping Bear Dunes

    National Lakeshore Michigan

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  • Some restrooms and trash cans not available until Memorial Day

    Changes to visitor service due to Sequestration. Other than those at the visitor center and campgrounds, restrooms and trash cans will not be available until Memorial Day Weekend and will close after Labor Day. This includes the Manitou Islands. More »

  • Maritime Museum closed

    The Maritime Museum and Boathouse are closed until further notice.

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

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

Kerry Kelly 2006

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.
 

Did You Know?

Hiking Trails

There are over 100 miles of hiking trails in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Many of these trails can also be used for skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. More...