• Looking out at the lake

    Sleeping Bear Dunes

    National Lakeshore Michigan

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  • Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive will not open until Memorial Day Weekend

    Changes to visitor service due to Sequestration. Due to mandatory, across-the-board budget cuts, some visitor services in this park have changed. Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive will not open until Memorial Day Weekend and will close after Labor Day. More »

  • 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 »

Platte Plains Trail

Distance

Several loops totaling 14.7 miles

Terrain

Mostly flat. Some short, steep hills on the Lasso Loop and some moderate hills along the intermediate level ski trail segments

Vegetation

Primarily pine-oak-aspen woods with some open fields and pine plantation

Comments

Three views of Lake Michigan

Click to download a map in pdf format.

 
Platte Plains Trail Map
Platte Plains Trail Map
NPS Map 2006
 
Platte Planes Trail

Platte Plains trail from Otter Creek toward Otter Lake.

Kerry Kelly 2007

The Platte Plains trail system has about 15 miles of trails through the maple-beech and pine forest that gives the hiker access to Otter Creek, Otter Lake, and Bass Lake. There area also several access points to Lake Michigan. Part of the trail follows a 2-track road from Esch Road and Otter Creek.
 
Otter Creek from the Trail looking downstream.

View of Otter Creek from the Platte Plains trail near the trailhead.

Kerry Kelly 2007

Otter Creek is the home of an abundance of wildlife including otters, fish, and a variety of birds and waterfowl.
 
Otter Lake

View of Otter Lake from Platte Plains Trail

Kerry Kelly 2007

Otter Lake is a beautiful home for wildlife. There are several access points to view or reach Otter Lake.
 
Bass Lake Dock

Bass Lake Dock at Trail's End Rd.

Kerry Kelly 2007

Put your canoe or kayak into Bass Lake at the trailhead at the end of Trail's End Rd. There is a vault toilet and little dock.

 
  • View of Otter Lake from Platte Plains Trail
    Platte Plains Trail
    6 Photos

Did You Know?

US Life-Saving Service

During the winter of 1870-71, 214 people lost their lives in shipwrecks on the Great Lakes, and congress established the US Life-Saving Service to conduct rescues from shore. This became the US Coast Guard in 1915. Visit Sleeping Bear Dunes to see how these men lived and worked. More...