Last updated: December 18, 2025
Thing to Do
Visit Glen Haven Historic Village
NPS credit
Glen Haven is the best-preserved cord wood station on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, and perhaps in the entire Great Lakes. It was a company town, eventually diversifying into farming, canning of fruit, and tourism. Today, the history of Glen Haven is still preserved within several buildings that you can visit during your trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes.
In the summer, these buildings are open to visit and are staffed with knowledgeable and friendly volunteers.
In the summer, these buildings are open to visit and are staffed with knowledgeable and friendly volunteers.
Details
Duration
1-4 Hours
Activity
Museum Exhibits
Pets Allowed
Yes
Leashed pets are allowed outside.
Pets are not allowed inside the historic buildings.
Pets are not allowed inside the historic buildings.
Activity Fee
Yes
Aside from a park pass, there is no separate fee for visiting Glen Haven.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore charges a variety of fees, depending on how a visitor arrives at the park, and whether they're part of a commercial tour group or not.
Visit the fees page to find the pass that is best for you.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore charges a variety of fees, depending on how a visitor arrives at the park, and whether they're part of a commercial tour group or not.
Visit the fees page to find the pass that is best for you.
Location
Glen Haven Historic Village
Reservations
No
Season
Summer
The exterior buildings and exhibits are available year-round. The interior museum spaces are only open in the summer.
Time of Day
Day
Accessibility Information
Physical and Mobility Needs
Sand Wheelchairs are available at the Maritime Museum boathouse and at the Cannery to enable disabled individuals to enjoy the dunes and beaches. You must present a driver's license or similar identification. The chairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis; we don't take reservations.
The Blacksmith Shop in Glen Haven Historic Village is a fully functioning shop and is accessible by a ramp built up to the front double doors. There is ample space inside the shop to see exhibits and watch the blacksmith and carpentry demonstrations from a safe distance. Benches are provided.
D.H. Day General Store in Glen Haven is accessible. Parking is provided in the front with a ramped concrete path to the entrance. The interior space includes both displays and reproduction sales items from the late 1920s and early 1930s for purchase. The first floor of the Ranger Station is also fully accessible and is in the same structure as the D.H. Day Store.
Restrooms in Glen Haven are ramped and accessible with running water and a diaper changing station. Beach dressing areas are included.
The Cannery Boat Museum is accessible. The adjoining picnic area has picnic tables and raised grills. While the parking area is sandy, it is next to the beach and provides a beautiful view of Sleeping Bear Bay and the Manitou Islands. There is a hard surfaced beach deck with benches. A sand wheelchair is available for use at the site.
Coast Guard Station Life-Saving Museum has accessible parking with hardened surfaces leading to the Boathouse exhibit. This is accessible by wheelchair, and a boardwalk leads from there to the beach. The entrance to the Station House requires stair climbing and is not wheelchair accessible. Benches facing the lake are located on the porch for those who can climb the stairs. A sand wheelchair is available for use at the site.
Park Brochure
The park brochure is available in both braille and audio described/text only versions.
The braille park brochure is available as a downloadable file for home printing on braille-compatible equipment. You may also request a braille copy to be sent to you by mail. Braille brochures are not typically available on-hand in the visitor center.
The Park Brochure Formats page contains information on accessing the brochure in alternative formats. This page also includes a full text-only version of the brochure, compatible with most screen readers.
Service Animals
Service animals are allowed in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
If needed, read a definition of service animal. An emotional support animal is not a qualified service animal. For information on animals that do not qualify as service animals, please see our information on pets in the park.
Anywhere that you wish to go in Sleeping Bear Dunes, your service animal may go, too. There are some unique aspects of visiting our wilderness areas to keep in mind, however.