Plan Your Visit

 

Top Things to Know

With over 1.5 million people visiting Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Annually, to visit sunny beaches and sky-high dunes, cool forests and inland lakes, picturesque farmsteads and a historic maritime village. With so much to learn, fun to be had and memories to be made, we have a few tips to make this a successful visit.

1. Entrance Pass Required

All visitors must have an entrance pass to display on their car while visiting Sleeping Bear Dunes, Save time at entrance stations by purchasing your pass online before you arrive. You may also stop by the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center to purchase a pass. Keep in mind that summer is busy, expect popular areas to have lines or crowds.

2. Stay safe

Recreate responsibly. Watch a short safety video to prepare for a visit to the beach or dunes. The State of Michigan Beach Guard program shares daily information on water quality for swimming. Find out more tips, like how to avoid ticks, on the Lakeshore's safety page.

3. Plan Ahead

All campgrounds require a reservation from May1 - October 15. Campsites in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore are reservable up to six months in advance. It is unlikely that first-come, first-serve sites will be available most days of the summer. If you are planning on camping, and do not have a reservation, be sure to have a plan B. For a list of other local campgrounds and lodging, visit the local chamber of commerce websites.

Not sure where to get started? Start with these:

• Operating Hours and Seasons
• Things to Do
• Places to Go
• Eating and Sleeping
• Accessibility
• Directions

4. Check the Current Conditions

Each year there is a possibility of rolling closures due to upgrades of park facilities, prescribed fires, events and more. Keep up to date with what could impact your visit by bookmarking the Current Conditions page.

5. Have a Pet-Friendly Visit

You and your pets are welcome to enjoy the park together in select areas. This includes most hiking trails during the summer and specific stretches of beach.

6. Come Early or Stay Late

Explore these areas before 10 am or after 4 pm when there are less crowds, lower temperatures, and better parking spots.

• Dune Climb
• Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive
• Philip A. Hart Visitor Center
• Empire Bluff Trail
• Pyramid Point Trail

7. Enhance Your Experience

Plan ahead and download the NPS mobile app before your visit. Be sure to select offline access for Sleeping Bear Dunes. This gives you access to self-guided tours and maps even if you don't have cell service.

8. Half the Park is After Dark

Sleeping Bear Dunes offers some great places to explore the night skies. View constellations you never knew existed, watch in awe the expanse of the Milky Way, and perhaps catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.

9. Get off the Beaten Path

Get off the beaten path by visiting some of the lesser known trails in the park including Kettles Trail, Windy Moraine Trail and Shauger Hill Trail. Or step inside the Charles and Hattie Olsen Farmhouse for a journey into the historic life of the pioneers in the region. The Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear organization has a summer full of activities planned.

10. Make the Most of Your Trip

Evening programs are offered in both campgrounds and anyone can attend. Look for pop-up programs throughout the summer and chat with a park ranger at the mobile visitor center or green tent. Check out the calendar during your visit.

Whatever your interests, Sleeping Bear Dunes has something for you.