Place

Wayside: South Manitou Island

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

An orientation sign that shows a map of South Manitou Island and lists rules and regulations
"South Manitou Island" wayside sign on South Manitou Island

Quick Facts
Location:
45° 0' 40.31" N, 86° 5' 40.6" W

Audio Description

This is an orientation exhibit featuring a large, color map of South Manitou Island. The map highlights the main features of the island. The map is an overview map focusing on trails, geologic features, and other amenities, including backcountry campgrounds, drinking water, and a ranger station. In the south part of the island is a lake called Florence Lake. There are a series of unpaved roads and short trails in the middle and east side of the island. Trails are indicated with a green dashed line and roads are solid gray.

Hiking Distances (round-trip, from Ranger Station)

  • Lighthouse: 0.6 miles/1.0 kilometers
  • Old growth cedars and shipwreck: 6.9 miles/11.1 kilometers
  • Cemetery via road: 4.6 miles/7.4 kilometers
  • School House: 3.0 miles/4.8 kilometers
  • Weather Station Campground: 2.7 miles/4.3 kilometers
  • Popple Campground: 7.4 miles/11.9 kilometers
  • Bay Campground: 1.0 miles/1.6 kilometers

In the upper right corner of the exhibit is an inset map of the surrounding area. This color map shows South Manitou Island in relation to mainland Michigan. Included in this map are South Manitou Island and North Manitou Island and a roughly 20 miles by 20 miles section of the shore.

Protect Your Wilderness

  • Camp on durable surfaces. Do not camp within 300 feet of buildings, other camps, trails, water sources, or Lake Michigan.
  • Dispose of waste properly. Pack it in, pack it out. Bury human waste at least 6 inches below ground.
  • Store food properly. Hang food 6 feet off the ground or store in animal-proof containers.
  • Leave archaeological objects, shipwreck pieces, rocks, and plants for others to discover.
  • Prevent erosion by hiking on hard surfaces. Hiking on steep bluffs can be dangerous.
  • Respect beach closures during piping plover nesting season.
  • Below these rules there is a red box with the text:
  • In an emergency dial 911.

Regulations

  • Fires Only in Official Metal Rings or Grills
  • Do Not Feed Animals
  • No Fireworks
  • No Collecting
  • No Drones
  • No Pets
  • No Wheels or Motors in Wilderness Area


In the lower right corner of the exhibit is a U.S. Fee Area logo.

Wilderness

This island is within wilderness. Designated Wilderness areas are the most protected public lands in America.

The Sleeping Bear Dunes Wilderness, within the boundaries of the National Lakeshore, is over 30,000 acres.

Tags

Last updated: November 12, 2024