Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore brings together sand dunes on glacial moraines, forests and lakeshore bluffs to create a varied natural landscape. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore lies on the northeastern shore of Lake Michigan in Leelanau and Benzie counties. Its landscapes include rivers, sandy beaches, beech-maple forests, clear lakes and lakeshore bluffs, as well as the dunes it is named for. Wind and water shaped the dunes from deposits on the moraines—a combination that reveals the geological foundations of this coastal landscape.

Dunes, Lakes and Trails Along Lake Michigan

At the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula, Leelanau State Park covers more than 1,550 acres along Lake Michigan. Its southern unit includes the Cathead Bay trail network; the Lake Michigan Trail also leads to a sandy beach there. Clay Cliffs Natural Area offers a different view of the landscape: from there, you can see Lake Leelanau and Lake Michigan. The area also protects a rare, sensitive ecosystem on the clay bluff.

When choosing a trail here, both its length and its surface matter. The Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail stretches for about 22 scenic miles between Empire and Bohemian Road (CR-669). It is paved for most of its length; a short section through Port Oneida Rural Historic District has a firmly packed gravel surface. The trail is accessible and designed for pedestrians, runners, cross-country skiers, cyclists, wheelchair users and babies in strollers. If you plan to use it, you can take this change in surface into account.

The 17-mile paved Leelanau Trail connects Suttons Bay and Traverse City. By comparison, the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail is longer at approximately 22 miles and has a short gravel section. For a shorter hiking option, Houdek Dunes Natural Area offers a 3.3-mile trail network with easy to challenging sections. At Pyramid Point, an overlook offers views of Lake Michigan and the Manitou Islands.

Longer trails have their own highlights, too: the nine miles of trails at Alligator Hill cross a hilly, forested ridge shaped like an alligator and offer views of Lake Michigan and Big Glen Lake. Alligator Hill is designated as a cross-country ski trail from December 1 through March 31. Old Indian Trail consists of two loop trails, each 2.3 miles long, along the ridges of wooded ancient dunes. It also follows a section of a trail created by early Indigenous residents along the coast and between fishing and camping sites and the shores. Here, a particular trail route connects with a longer history of coastal use.

Maritime Heritage and Historic Places

In Leland, Fishtown tells the story of the fishing heritage on Lake Michigan. Weathered fishing shanties and smokehouses, docks over the water, fishing boats and charter boats line the Leland River. Visitors can walk through the buildings and along the docks, gaining a sense of Lake Michigan's fishing history. The Leelanau Historical Society & Museum is also on the Leland River, two blocks from historic Fishtown and Lake Michigan.

Lighthouses and former stations also bring maritime history to life. Grand Traverse Lighthouse is a national and state historic site. Seasonally, you can tour the restored lighthouse keeper's dwelling and climb the lighthouse tower; opening hours and operating dates may change. The Maritime Museum at Sleeping Bear Point U.S. Life-Saving Service Station explores the history of the U.S. Life-Saving Service, the U.S. Coast Guard and shipping on the Great Lakes. The museum is open seasonally, typically from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The historic buildings in Glen Haven are open and staffed during this period. Check current seasonal information before your trip.

For another perspective on the wider Leelanau Peninsula, the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail includes more than 20 award-winning wineries. Since membership may change, it's worth checking the latest information before making this regional side trip.

Explore more destinations: Glen Arbor, Otsego, Macomb, Houghton, Berrien, Clinton County, Menominee County, Benzie County.

For the main travel overview: Michigan.