• Looking out at the lake

    Sleeping Bear Dunes

    National Lakeshore Michigan

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    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 »

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    The Maritime Museum and Boathouse are closed until further notice.

Sleeping Bear Point Trail

Distance

Loop of 2.8 miles with a spur to Lake MI about 0.5 miles from the trailhead

Terrain

Rolling dunes

Vegetation

Dune grasses, shrubs, and wildflowers

Comments

This is a shorter and less strenuous trail through the dunes than the Dune Trail that starts at the Dune Climb. This also has a spur providing access to Lake Michigan.
 

Download a map in pdf format.

 
dunes_map_6_7_8_9_10
Dunes Trails
NPS Map 2006
 
Sleeping Bear Point Trail

View of Lake Michigan over the dunes on the Sleeping Bear Point Trail

Kerry Kelly 2006

The Sleeping Bear Point Trail is a 2.8 mile loop through the sand dunes with great views of Lake Michigan and South Manitou Island. There is a 0.5 mile spur hike from the trailhead to the Lake Michigan beach. It is less strenuous than the hike from the Dune Climb to Lake Michigan.
 

Did You Know?

Piping Plover

The Piping Plover is an endangered species that makes its home on the wide open beaches of Lakes Michigan and Superior. Several nesting pairs have made the shores of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore their home. Their nesting areas have been marked so they will not be disturbed.