//
Protected area in Michigan, United States
Photo: Rachel Kramer, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Sleeping Bear Dunes is a United States National Lakeshore on Lake Michigan near Traverse City in Northern Michigan. It consists of miles of sand dunes on the Lake Michigan shoreline and the islands of North Manitou and South Manitou.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Contains helpful staff members as well as maps, geological information, an exhibit of local wildlife, a bookstore, and an informational film about the area and the folklore surrounding it.
A former U.S. Life-Saving Station has authentically dressed workers who explain what maritime life was like back in the 1800s. The exhibits contain antique boating equipment, photos, restored buildings from the era, and daily demonstrations of rescue techniques using Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day, 10:30AM to 5PM.
Went into service in 1871 and 1901, respectively; both were closed in 1958. Several shipwrecks remain in the area.
A 7.5 mi (12 km) one-way road (named for the lumberman who built it) with places to stop for picnics and overlooks of the dunes. Open to cars, bicycles, and pedestrians, but it's hilly and dangerously curvy for cyclists. Open late April thru early November, 9AM to half an hour after sunset.
Open April thru November. Wooded, with easy access to Lake Michigan and Sleeping Bear Dunes. 89 rustic vehicle-accessible sites. Vault toilets, drinking water, limited generator use permitted, firewood available. No reservations except for group sites which require them in summer, $3/night. $12/$30 per night (individual/group) plus park pass.
Open year-round, but some portions closed November through April. Wooded, a short hike to Lake Michigan. 179 sites, including RV, tent, walk-in, and group sites. Toilets, drinking water, pay showers, firewood available. Some sites can be reserved in summer, group sites require reservations, $3/night. $12/$16/$21/$40 per night (walk-in/non-electric/electric/group) plus park pass.
In the northern section of the park, 1.5 miles by trail from the road. 5 sites, 2 fire rings.
In the southern section of the park, 2.5 miles by trail north of Platte River Campground, near Lake Michigan. 6 sites, 1 fire ring.
In the northeast quarter of the island. 8 sites, drinking water (at nearby ranger station), outhouse. Fires permitted.
On the eastern bay, north of the dock. 3 group sites (reservations required, $23/night) and 25 regular sites, fire rings, drinking water.
At the south end of the island. 3 group sites (reservations required, $23/night) and 20 regular sites, fire rings, drinking water.
At the north end of the island. 7 sites, fire rings.
By bus
Grand Traverse and Leelanau County's Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) has bus service to Empire and Glen Arbor, M-F, and connections with the Greyhound bus network in Traverse City.
By plane
Traverse City's Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) has regular commercial air service from Detroit, Chicago and other regional airports.
Local and state roads connect most parts of the mainland portion of the park, so cars or bicycles are the most practical way of getting from one to another.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Traverse City · Regional · TVC
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and United States.
Travel tipsFind the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
Travel tipsFind the best time to visit Hawaii in 2026. Compare whale seasons, big-wave surf, dry shoulder months, hotel rates, and island microclimates.
8 min read
InspirationDiscover the best places to visit in April. Compare Dutch tulip fields, Thailand's Songkran water festival, Roman spring gardens, and cherry blossoms.
6 min read
Travel tipsA practical guide to travelling with medication and refrigerated drugs like insulin and GLP-1s. Learn airline rules, customs papers, and cooling tips.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.