• 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.

Scenic Drive Ski Trail









Distance:





Loops totaling 8 miles of trail.





Terrain:





Hilly





Vegetation:





Beech-maple forest.





Comments:





The trail includes the Shauger Hill Hiking Trail and the unplowed Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. It offers views of Lake Michigan and the dunes. For your safety, stay back from the edge of the steep bluff. Pets on a 6' leash may be taken on the unplowed roadway section of the trail, but the Shauger Hill Trail section is a Designated X-Country Ski Trail and Pets are not allowed on this section of the trail between December 1 and March 31.





Click to download a map in pdf format.

 
Scenic Drive Ski Trail Map
Scenic Drive Ski Trail Map
NPS Map 2006
 
PS Drive Covered Bridge

Covered Bridge on Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive

Kerry Kelly 2008

After the snow starts to fly, the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is closed to traffic and the skiers and snowshoers take over. This view of the Covered Bridge is near the beginning of the trail.
 
Lake Michigan Overlook in the Winter

Lake Michigan Overlook after a snowfall.

Kerry Kelly 2008

Ski to the top of the Lake Michigan Overlook and view the winterscape along the Lake Michigan shore. Be careful where you go, because if you fall, you will end up taking a FAST slide to the bottom of the bluff 450 feet below! Not only is the trip down dangerous, but the hike back up the frozen bluff is nearly impossible.

 
Lake Michigan Overlook in the Winter

Lake Michigan from the bluff on Pierce Stocking Drive.

Kerry Kelly 2008

This winter view of the Lake Michigan Overlook from the top of the bluff south of the Overlook. Note South Manitou Island in the background.

 

Did You Know?

Deer Hunt

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. More...