Yes, a vehicle pass is required to visit the Sleeping Bear Dunes.
Passes cost $25
and can be purchased at the Phillip A. Hart Visitor Center, the Dune Climb, the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive and The Homestead. Revenues received from pass sales are used to maintain and improve facilities in the Sleeping Bear Dunes.
How much time should I spend at Sleeping Bear Dunes?
The whole trip is about 3.5 miles and may take
3-4 hours
depending on your condition and the weather. If you are going to hike in the Dunes, there are a few things you should do to make your trip more enjoyable. What’s the plan?
What town is closest to Sleeping Bear Dunes?
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is located in Northwestern Lower Michigan along the eastern shoreline of Lake Michigan. The closest city is
Traverse City
, 25 miles to the east.
How long does it take to climb Sleeping Bear Dunes?
Discover this 3.6-mile out-and-back trail near Glen Arbor Township, Michigan. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of
1 h 39 min
to complete. This is a very popular area for birding and hiking, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring.
Are there bathrooms at Sleeping Bear Dunes?
Where are the public restrooms located?
Full service restrooms are available at the visitor center, the Dune Climb, and in Glen Haven near the General Store
. Other public restrooms are located at various points of interest and hiking trailheads throughout the park.
Are pets allowed at Sleeping Bear Dunes?
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore welcomes you and your pets to enjoy the park together
. Like most outdoor activities within a National Park area, there are some rules and regulations that apply to having a pet with you.
What kind of bears are in Sleeping Bear Dunes?
Black bears
are an important and exciting part of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The black bear (Ursus americanus) is the only species of bear found in Michigan.
Can you drive on the Great Sand Dunes?
You may take a street-licensed, high-clearance 4WD vehicle on the Medano Pass Primitive Road
, which goes around the eastern edge of the dunes then over a 10,000′ mountain pass. The road is soft and sandy in the dunes area, then forested and rocky with stream crossings in the mountain portion.
What to wear when hiking Sleeping Bear Dunes?
Terrain: The trail goes through sandy soil of the perched dunes, which makes walking difficult. There is no shade, so wear
hiking shoes
, apply sun block and bring water. Difficulty: This is the most strenuous hike at Sleeping Bear Dunes. It starts at the Dune Climb and ends at Lake Michigan, about 1.75 miles away.
How steep is Sleeping Bear Dunes?
The dune is 450 feet tall – equivalent to climbing a 34 story building. 5. The dune is a steep
33 degree angle
.
What should I wear to Sleeping Bear Dunes?
- Things to Bring: Daypack, snacks, and water. Also, wear either tennis shoes or your hiking boots.
- What you Will See: Tons of sand dunes created by nature! There is also a really nice view of Lake Michigan at the end.
How do I get to Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes?
Most visitors to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore arrive and travel through the park by car, RV, or motorcycle. You can easily get to all attractions by
driving on M-22 through most of the park and then taking the M-109 loop about 2 miles north of Empire
.
Where is Pyramid Point Michigan?
Location:
The trailhead is on Basch Rd. Drive to Port Oneida Rd about 3 miles north of Glen Arbor on M-22
. Take Port Oneida Road north about a mile where the road turns right and becomes Basch Road.
Are there dune rides in Traverse City?
Mac Wood’s Dune Rides – Located in Silver Lake, MI
. Experience the Silver Lake Sand Dunes like never before on our one-of-a-kind 40 minute dune tour. We will let you out at Lake Michigan for a quick visit and then drive to one of the tallest dunes on the Silver Lake side for pics and enjoying the view. Ride with us!
Can you slide down the Sleeping Bear Dunes?
The Dune Climb at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Invites You to Climb, Run, Jump, Slide, Roll, Whoop, and Holler. View of the Dune Climb and Glen Lake from the top of the Cottonwood Trail at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. That’s the parking lot waaaaaaaay down there at the bottom of the dune.
Can you climb Sleeping Bear Dunes?
Climbing the dunes is great exercise
and there is a beautiful view of Glen Lake from the top. With the parking lot and picnic area at the base of the dune, you can stop climbing when you get tired and let gravity bring you back down.
How high is the Sleeping Bear Dune Climb?
It is
130 feet to the top of the first hill at the Dune climb and about another 130 feet to the top of the second hill
. Jockey’s Ridge on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, the largest dune on the Atlantic coast, is just a little over 100 feet.
Can you hammock at Sleeping Bear Dunes?
It’s part of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore. There is a small campground, but wilderness camping is permitted almost anywhere on the island.
You’ll have your pick of trees to hang your hammock
. All supplies must be packed in and there are no facilities.
Can you drive to the top of Sleeping Bear Dunes?
The Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is a seven-mile route featuring stunning panoramas of the dunes, Lake Michigan and Glen Lake
. Hike along the Cottonwood Trail and stop at the scenic overlooks for a picnic. Entrance to the drive is on M-109 between Glen Haven and Empire in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Are Sleeping Bear Dunes moving?
A common question is “How fast are the dunes moving?”
Rates of sand movement vary from one place to another and from one year to the next
. At the Dune Climb the average rate of advance has been about 4 feet (1.2 meters) per year over the past few years.
Are dogs allowed on Sleeping Bear Point trail?
Sleeping Bear Point Trail is
closed to pets during the periods of April 15 through August 15
to help protect breeding piping plover. The Sleeping Bear Point Trail is a 2.8 mile loop through the sand dunes with great views of Lake Michigan and South Manitou Island.
Is Pyramid Point dog friendly?
Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash
. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore charges a fee to enter.
Is Glen Haven beach dog friendly?
Pets are allowed but they must be leashed
and owners are advised to be respectful to the wildlife in the area.
What month do bears hibernate in Michigan?
In Michigan, bears typically enter their den by December and come out in
late March or April
. Bears are not true hibernators because they only drop their body temperature by a few degrees, whereas a hibernating animal’s body temperature is almost the same as its surroundings.
Are bears common at Sleeping Bear Dunes?
A bear sighting is a rare occurrence
and will be a memory to cherish. Stay at least 150 feet (45 meters) away from the bear and enjoy watching how a bear moves through the landscape or forages for natural foods.
Why is it called Sleeping Bear Dunes?
Sleeping Bear Dunes gets its name from a Chippewa legend that tells the story of a mother bear and her two cubs who, fleeing a fire in the woods of Wisconsin on the other side of Lake Michigan, plunged into the lake and began swimming to find safe haven.
