Bicycling in the Lakeshore

 

Biking past the dune on the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail

Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail

A great family-friendly riding opportunity is the new Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail. This trail is a s 22-mile paved multi-use trail that passes through the National Lakeshore and connects Empire to Bohemian Road. Most of the trail is asphalt, but a 3-mile section which goes through the Port Oneida Rural Historic District north of Glen Arbor is crushed. To learn more about the trail visit the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes.

The Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail is the only bicycle trail in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The trail is mostly paved but has a short section of packed gravel through the Port Oneida Rural Historic District. The trail spans about 20 scenic miles between Empire and Bohemian Road (CR-669).

Trail Etiquette:

• Ride at a safe speed – especially when others are on the trail. Especially important for e-Bikes.

• Stay to the RIGHT, alert others when passing on their left.

• DO NOT block the trail when stopped – move to the side.

• Cyclists ride single file when other users are present.

• Please wear a helmet for your safety.

• Dispose of all trash and animal waste in trash receptacles.

• Respect plants and wildlife – Stay on the Trail

• Respect Private Property – Stay on the Trail

Road Biking

Bikes are not permitted on hiking trails, dunes, or on the beaches. There are many secondary, non-paved roads within the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore that offer exceptional riding and views.

Here are a few in-park possibilities:

 

One of the scenic wetland views along Peterson Road.

Just north of the Platte River Campground, in the southern end of the park, is Peterson Road. This road can be accessed from M-22, or from Loop 4 in the Platte River Campground, next to site 419. This 3-mile secondary gravel road will take riders to a beautiful Lake Michigan beach. Along the way you will pass another excellent mountain biking opportunity by way of Lasso Road. This road winds through scenic woods and wetlands and eventually makes its way back to M-22.

 

Shauger Road offers a great shaded ride through hardwood forests.

Another challenging and rewarding mountain bike ride can be found along the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail. The steep and wooded Shauger Hill Road can be accessed from the parking lot at North Bar Lake, just north of Empire. Once bikers traverse the climb to the top of this gravel road, they are rewarded with a descent back down to the Heritage Trail. This paved trail can then be taken back toward Empire, where Bar Lake Road will lead back to North Bar Lake. This scenic loop is a total of 6 miles.

 

The meandering Otter Creek along Aral Road offers a peaceful location to take a break.

Five miles south of Empire along M-22 you will find Esch Road. Take this road west, toward Lake Michigan and you will find a scenic beach with plenty of parking. From this parking lot you can access another great mountain biking opportunity by way of Aral Road. This small gravel drive will take you south through woods and past wetlands and offer some excellent wildlife viewing. About a mile back to the east of the beach along Esch Road, Aral Road will also go north through forested hills, and meets up with Hillis Road. Hillis Road travels past hardwood forests, open meadows, and historic farms.

 

Mountain Biking

Bikes are not permitted on hiking trails, dunes, or on the beaches.
The closest mountain biking area to Sleeping Bear Dunes is the Palmer Woods Forest Preserve in the Leelanau Conservancy.

There are two Michigan State Forest trails just east of the National Lakeshore that allow mountain bikes. Lake Ann Pathway is located just west of Lake Ann on Reynolds Road. Lost Lake Pathway is located 1.5 miles west of Interlochen on US 31 then 1 mile north on Wildwood Rd.

E-Bikes

E-bikes are allowed in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore where traditional bicycles are allowed. E-bikes are prohibited where traditional bicycles are prohibited. Except where use of motor vehicles by the public is allowed, using the electric motor to move an e-bike without pedaling is prohibited.

NPS regulations define e-bikes as a two- or three-wheeled cycle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of not more than 750 watts that meets the requirements of one of the following three classes:

1. “Class 1 electric bicycle” shall mean an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.
2. “Class 2 electric bicycle” shall mean an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle, and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.
3. “Class 3 electric bicycle” shall mean an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour.

Fat Tire Bikes

Etiquette on the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail

• Please do not ride on the SBHT if conditions are too soft. If you are leaving a rut deeper than an inch, having a hard time riding in a straight line, or pushing your bike, the snow is too soft and you should not ride your bike on the trail.
• Tires must be 3.7″ or bigger.
• Tire pressure must be under 5 psi.
• Do not ride on classic ski tracks.
• Bikes yield to skiers, please give skate skiers a wide berth.

Road Bike Touring

Bike clubs frequently schedule trips to the Sleeping Bear Dunes area because the terrain in the area provides a variety of levels of challenge. M-22, M-109, and M-209 are all generally flat to moderately rolling. The Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is quite challenging with steep hills and curves. Some of the county roads in the area have relatively steep hills, so it is wise to take a tour of your proposed bike trip by car before starting out.

Nearby Biking Areas

The Betsie Valley Trail is a paved rail-trail south of the Lakeshore that goes from Frankfort and Elberta to Crystal Lake. The trail is gravel from Crystal Lake to Thompsonville.