Winter Activities

 

Nature transforms Sleeping Bear Dunes from season to season, and winter provides the opportunity to experience this wonderful landscape with fresh eyes. The trails, scenic views and popular destinations are all still here…just embellished with a new look. The days are shorter, the pace is slower and crowds are never an issue during the winter months. Yet activities are abundant and the Lakeshore remains a wonderful place to explore.

 

Philip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire is located just east of the intersection of M72 and M22, hours change seasonally. Pick up a Park Entrance Pass, maps, and brochures. See the wonderful captioned multimedia presentation and exhibits. There is free wifi where you can check on the weather, and accessible restrooms and a souvenir shop. Start your visit here and get all your questions answered!

Please exercise caution! The Lakeshore offers fascinating winter activities, but freezing temperatures, as well as slippery and unstable surfaces, create hazards. Ice formations along the Lake Michigan shoreline may be tempting to explore but are dangerous. Avalanche is a possibility on steep, snow-covered dunes.

 

Skiers enjoying the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail

Cross Country Skiing

Cross Country Skiing is wonderful at Sleeping Bear Dunes. Outstanding cross country skiing and snowshoeing on a variety of trails and terrain await you. See below for a list of trails and links to trail maps.
The Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail is groomed for both classic track and skate skiing. Other ski trails are not groomed but are usually well tracked by previous skierson the groomed sections of the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail. This paved multi-use trail is transformed in winter, and skiing conditions are updated regularly through Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Pets

Pets are not allowed on these trails from December 1 through March 31

Sleeping Bear Dunes Skiing Trails

Old Indian Trail
Platte Plains

• Bass Lake Loop

• Lasso Loop

• Otter Creek Loop

Windy Moraine
Shauger Hill
Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail
Alligator Hill
Bay View
Pyramid Point
Good Harbor Bay
Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive

 

Snowshoeing on Old Indian Trail

Kerry Kelly 2007

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is permitted on all snow-covered dunes, fields, and forests in the Lakeshore, although it is recommended that you stay on well-marked pathways. If you are snowshoeing along a cross-country ski trail, please stay off to the side of the skiers' tracks.

Guided Snowshoe Hikes

Ranger-led snowshoe hikes and self-guided hikes are listed on the Lakeshore's calendar. Registration details will be included in the calendar listing.

Not only is snowshoeing easy, fun, and good exercise, it is also an activity that can be enjoyed by all ages. The ranger-led hikes are mildly strenuous, yet they proceed at a leisurely pace for approximately one and a half miles. This allows you to look for signs of wildlife or evidence of ancient glaciers or to simply experience a winter wonderland.

 

Sledding on the Dune Climb

Kerry Kelly 2007

Sledding

Sledding is permitted at the Dune Climb in the designated area only when it is covered with snow. Sleds, skis, snowboards, toboggans, saucer sleds, inflatable tubes or similar equipment are restricted to use within the designated snow covered area of the Dune Climb.

In other areas of the dunes the use of skis, snowboards, sleds, toboggans, saucer sleds, inflatable tubes or similar equipment is prohibited except when snow covered.

Ice Fishing

Ice fishing in compliance with State of regulations is permitted. Restrictions apply to the use of powered ice augers and power engines to cut through the ice. A free permit is available at the visitor center.

Snowmobiling

Snowmobiling is not permitted on lands or waters of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

Camping

Camping is available all year at Platte River Campground. Year-round facilities include showers and restrooms.