Inland lakes are a great place to find a small sandy beach where families gather for picnics or children play in the shallow waters. Where wooden docks extend into the lake, offering spots for fishing enthusiasts to cast their lines or for visitors to launch small boats or kayaks. You might spot ducks gliding across the water, their ducklings trailing closely behind, or hear the melodic calls of songbirds perched in the surrounding trees. In the quieter moments, the occasional splash of a fish breaking the surface adds to the peaceful ambiance.
Such small inland lakes are not just bodies of water; they are natural sanctuaries where people connect with nature, find relaxation, and appreciate the beauty of the world around them. At Sleeping Bear Dunes there are 21 inland lakes, each with their own characteristicts. The most accessible are listed below with what you may expect to find.
Regulations for Inland Lakes
A Park Pass is required for all inland lake use within the national lakeshore. Fee Information.
Collecting plants and other natural, historical, and archeological items is not permitted. Exception: Certain edible fruits and mushrooms may be collected in limited quantities for personal use.
Pets must be kept on a 6-foot leash. Additional Pet Rules.
Glass is banned on all park beaches.
Fires are permitted only in campground and picnic area fireplaces and fire rings and on areas of bare beach sand between the water and the first dune.
For the protection of fragile dune vegetation such as dune grass, activities other than walking, such as sports and games or sunbathing are prohibited on vegetated areas of sand dunes.
Boating Safety & Regulations:
Please see the Superintendent's Compendium, Section I. 36 CFR 1.5 for the most up to date boating regulations.
Paddle safe
Before going out for a paddle, check the weather. Have a boating plan and make sure others know it. Buddy up, don't go out alone. Check your boat and make sure it is safe for conditions. And always keep the shoreline in sight.
Wear It!
The State of Michigan requires all vessels have a life jacket or personal flotation device for every person on board or being towed.
Clean Your Boats
Please clean, drain, and dry your boat after you leave any body of water, especially Lake Michigan, to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. This is especially important for our inland lakes. For more information on aquatic invasive species and their impacts to lakes, streams, and how we recreate please visit the following websites:
This is one of two Bass Lakes in the park. It is an easily accessible lake visible on the east side of M-22 about 6 miles north of Glen Arbor. There are several access points off of M-22 . There is a small sandy beach at the end of the two track, where you can park along the sandy shore and swim, fish, or launch a kayak. Electric motors are permitted year-round.
Some parking is available.
The lake is easily seen by walking the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail boardwalk. The lake is closed to power-driven vessels from April 1 through October 31 and is limited to two-horsepower motors the rest of the year. There is a narrow trail through a tunnel of trees to a little canoe launch area. The lake is closed to all visitors during loon nesting.
School Lake
44.91546 N, 85.88112 W
School Lake is the largest lake in the park and has a secluded feel with almost no houses in sight. The lake has a nearly flat bottom, with an average depth of about 5 feet (1.5 meters), with a somewhat deeper hole in a cove at the southwestern end of the lake. There are good restroom facilities available. Access is from Bohemian Road, a short distance south of M-22. School Lake and Bass Lake are connected by a shallow channel, which makes it possible for canoes and kayaks to get from one lake to the other. Electric motors are allowed, but may not exceed 5 mph or create a wake.
Shell Lake
44.91750 N, 85.87701 W
Shell Lake, a relatively long, narrow lake north of Narada Creek. The lake can be accessed by driving west on west lake Michigan road to a small parking area on the left. There are no restrooms, however Shalda Creek area and Good Harbor Beach nearby have restrooms. There is no boat launch or dock. Access to the lake is by walking a short distance through the woods. The lake has a shallow, muck bottom, with an average depth of approximately 7 1/2 feet (2.4 meters).
Little Glen Lake access is across from Dune Climb. The area has restrooms, ample parking, picnic tables and easy access to the lake for launching a canoe or kayak. The lake has a swallow, sandy bottom and is great for fishing or swimming. Most of the shoreline is private property, please respect their property and privacy.
Also known as Perry Lake by local residents, this closed basin lake located northwest of the village of Empire was historically an bay of Lake Michigan. It is one of the most popular swimming holes in the Lakeshore because it has shallow, clear water over a sandy bottom and is warmer than Lake Michigan. But for those who like the refreshing cool water and wave action of the big lake, you can walk across the low dunes that separate the two lakes in just a couple of minutes. The beaches of pure sand and the small outlet to Lake Michigan is ideal for the kids to play. The lake is closed to power-driven vessels from April 1st through October 31st and is limited to two-horsepower motors the remainder of the year. There is a paved parking lot, restrooms and a sandy area to launch a canoe or kayak.
Taylor Lake
44.80030 N, 86.04173 W
Taylor Lake is a small depression located approximately one-quarter mile east of Hwy M-22 and about one-eight of a mile north of Stormer Road. The lake is only accessible by hiking through woods and does not have restrooms, boat launch or fishing dock. Taylor is not accessible by road and closed to the use of power-driven vessels. Average depth of the lake is 6 ½ feet.The lake does not have a fish population, probably because it is a very shallow and the lake level can fluctuate throughout the season.
Tucker Lake
44.90384 N, 85.95324 W
Access to Tucker Lake is by way of a small drive off of South Dunns Farm Road. There is ample parking for four or five cars, with a sandy boat launch. There are no restrooms or fishing dock at this location. Electric two-horsepower motors are permitted year-round. The lake is surrounded by wetlands and is connected to Fisher Lake by a short channel.The average depth is approximately 9 feet.
Bass lake is accessed by taking Trails End Road to a parking area at the end of the road. There are restrooms near the parking area and a paved path leads to a fishing dock. The dock is wheel-chair accessible. The dock is a great area for youth to test their fishing skills. There is a paved boat launch for launching a kayak, canoe or small boat. Bass Lake is closed to power-driven vessels from April 1 through October 31 and limited to a two-horsepower motor the rest of the year.
The access to Deer Lake is from Trails End Road. Follow a two track to the left that is rutted and narrow until you reach an area where you can walk a short distance to the lake. Deer Lake is closed to power-driven vessels from April 1 through October 31 and is limited to two-horse-power motors the rest of the year.
Otter Lake
44.73755 N, 86.06114 W
This lake is quiet, with pretty surroundings and only a few private cottages. It is likely that you will see evidence of otters around the edges of the lake. Otter Lake is spring fed and is the lower and largest lake in the Otter Creek watershed.The lake has a maximum depth of 21 feet which is affected by intermittent beaver activity. There is a boat launch suitable for canoes and kayaks. There are plenty of shallows, a few coves, and some deep water. Electric motors are permitted on Otter Lake year-round.
Southern Area
Hidden Lake
44.96564 N, 85.99164 W
Hidden Lake is located at the base of a large dune east of Pyramid Point. The average depth is less than three-foot. Beaver have excavated some deeper five-foot channels. To access Hidden Lake, take M-22 north of Glen Arbor to Bohemian Road, then turn left on West Lake Michigan Road. When you reach the end of Lake Michigan Road follow the walking path north towards lake Michigan, Hidden Lake will be through the woods to your left. Hidden Lake does not have a boat launch area, dock or restrooms.
Loon Lake is the most accessible inland lake in the park. There is a paved boat launch, fishing dock, and ample parking area for vehicles and trailers. There is no beach, but you can wade in from the boat ramp. The dock has accessibility for wheelchairs with an accessible canoe/kayak launch. Accessible restrooms are available at this site with flush toilets.
Mud Lake
44.71822 N, 86.13016 W
Mud Lake is located along side Lake Michigan Road (M 708). The lake is accessible by parking along side the roadway and walking through the woods to the shoreline. The nearest restrooms are located at the Platte River Picnic Area. Mud Lake is closed to power-driven vessels from April 1 through October 31 and is limited to two-horse-power motors the rest of the year.
Round Lake
44.69429 N, 86.18675W
Round lake is located at the southern end of the park on the east side of M 22. This is the only lake in the park, that is part of the Crystal Lake watershed. A two-track drive leads to the water where a kayak, canoe or small boat could be launched. Restrooms are not available at this site, however just a few miles south from this location is the town of Benzonia, Michigan. Round Lake is closed to power-driven vessels from April 1 through October 31 and is limited to two-horse-power motors the rest of the year.
The Manitou Islands
Lake Manitou
North Manitou
This is the largest island lake within the Manitou Islands and is located about 2.5 miles from North Manitou village depending on which trail you take. There is a good trail system along the eastern shore of the lake with many good camping spots to choose from. The lake offers some good fishing from the shore or by boat if you have the energy to get your boat to the lake.
Tamarack Lake
North Manitou
Tamarack Lake is very small and shallow. Access to this lake is difficult, requiring you to bushwack and climb over down trees, because the trail is not well marked and especially early in the season you can easily lose the trail. If you decide to go to this lake, be sure to take a compass and map!
Florence Lake
South Manitou
Florence Lake is a medium-sized lake and the only one on South Manitou Island. You will see the lake from the trail to the Cedars or the Shipwreck. The trail at the intersection of Burdick Road and Ohio Road will take you to the lake as well. Florence has a sandy shore and bottom.
