News Release

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is Modifying Operations to Implement Latest Health Guidance

Date: March 23, 2020

Empire, MI - Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is announcing modifications to operations to implement the latest guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and local and state authorities to promote social distancing. As of March 23, 2020, the Platte River Campground, White Pine Campground and National Lakeshore restrooms are closed until further notice. Where it is possible to adhere to the latest health guidance, all park trails and beaches will remain open to provide healthy options for the public. The NPS urges visitors to practice Leave No Trace principles, including pack-in and pack-out, to keep outdoor spaces safe and healthy.

The Philip A. Hart Visitor Center remains closed until further notice. For park information, visitors can follow these links below to download Sleeping Bear Dunes' mobile app for both Apple and Android. 

• https://apps.apple.com/app/id14885132 
•  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.nps.slbe

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is our number one priority. The National Park Service (NPS) is working with the federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. We will notify the public when we resume full operations and provide updates on our website and social media channels.

The NPS urges visitors to do their part when visiting a park and to follow CDC guidance to prevent the spread of infectious diseases by maintaining a safe distance between yourself and other groups; washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze; and most importantly, staying home if you feel sick.

For high-risk populations, such as the elderly and people with underlying conditions, we ask that they take extra caution and follow CDC guidance for those at higher risk of serious illness.

Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus. Please check www.nps.gov/slbe for specific details about park operations.

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.