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Sleeping Bear Dunes National LakeshoreTheme(s): Maritime History | |
Description:
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore encompasses a 60 km (35 mi.) stretch of Lake Michigan's eastern coastline, as well as North and South Manitou Islands. The park was established primarily for its outstanding natural features, including forests, beaches, dune formations, and ancient glacial phenomena. The Lakeshore also contains many cultural features including a 1871 lighthouse, three former Life-Saving Service/Coast Guard Stations and an extensive rural historic farm district. Authorized: October 21, 1970. Acreage: 56,993 federal, 14,194 non-federal.
Accessibility:
Each of the major sites are largely accessible. A standard wheelchair as well as a 'sand chair' is available for use - inquire at the Empire Visitor Center. A tape recorder with recorded tours of the Duneside Accessible Trail is also available at the Visitor Center. The Visitor Center slide program is captioned upon request. The park dispatch office is equipped with TDD service.
The park is now equipped with assistive listening devices at the Visitor Center. Interpreters also have mobile 'tour guide' systems available for field programs.
Getting Around:
Visitors explore the park in their private vehicles and via 13 hiking trails located throughout.
Activites:
Auto_Touring | Boating | Camping | Educational Programs | Fishing | Hiking | Hunting | Swimming | Wilderness Area | Wildlife Viewing | Backpacking | Bird Watching | Nature Walks | Stargazing | Kayaking | Scuba Diving | Snorkeling | Cross Country Skiing | Snowshoeing | And more.
Facilities:
Visitor_Centers | Picnic Areas | Comfort Stations | Museum Exhibits | Tours & Guided Activities | And more.
Nature: Endangered Animals | And more.
Directions to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Plane:
The Traverse City Airport (30 miles/51 km from Lakeshore) has connections with Detroit, Chicago and Minneapolis. The Traverse City Airport (TVC) is serviced by Northwest, United and American.
Car:
Motor vehicle access from Michigan's Upper Peninsula: cross the Mackinac Bridge, southbound on I- 75; exit I-75 on US-31 (Petoskey/Charlevoix) to the west side of Traverse City; turn left on M-72 to Empire (25 miles/43 km). Alternatively, you could stay on I-75 South to M-72 at Grayling. Travel M-72 westward through Kalkaska to Traverse City and onward to Empire. Access from points south by US 31, US 131, US 27, or I- 75, through Traverse City and onward to Empire as above. Also from the south by M-22 from Ludington/Manistee/Frankfort.
Public Transportation
Traverse City has a Greyhound bus station with local buses (BATA) connecting to the Lakeshore.
Attractions:
Manitou Island Transit
Phone:231-256-9061
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Contact Information for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
9922 Front Street
Empire, MI
49630-9797
Phone: 231-326-5134
Fax: 231-326-5382
Located in Empire, MI
For more information on Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Information on this page provided by the NPS.
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