Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail

 

Enjoying the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail

Kerry Kelly 2013

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).

This trail is handicap accessible and is designed for walkers, runners, skiers, people on bicycles, in wheelchairs, and babies in strollers. Some stretches have steep grades, and these are noted on trailhead signs and are marked with warning signs on the trail. Because people will be using the trail in a variety of ways, please be aware of others going at different speeds.

An interactive map provides information about the trail conditions, parking, bathrooms, museums, and businesses along the trail. Visit the landing page of the interactive map to learn more.

Pets are not allowed on the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail from December 1 – March 31. See Park Pet Page for more information.

Trailheads

Park your car and use your bike to get around!

• Bar Lake Road
• Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive / Shauger Hil
• Dune Climb
• Glen Haven
• Alligator Hill Trailhead
• Crystal River Launch
• Bay View Trailhead
• Port Oneida Road

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
• In winter, avoid hiking or snowshoeing in groomed ski tracks.
• Pets are not allowed on the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail from December 1 – March 31. See Park Pet Page for more information.

Etiquette for Fat-Tire Bikes

• 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.

Skiing Routes

The trail from Glen Arbor to the Dune Climb (4 miles) is relatively flat with beautiful scenery. A loop trail through DH Day Campground and a loop just south of the Dune Climb have been added. You may have to remove your skis to cross M-109 and in Glen Haven.

The section from Empire to Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive (3 miles) is also beautiful, but has more challenging slopes. This section will be groomed with one set of classic tracks to allow for wide corduroy for skate skiing.

The trail north of Glen Arbor – from Crystal View trailhead to Port Oneida Road is open for skiing. This section will be groomed again this year. There is also trailhead parking on Thoreson Road at the Bay View trail parking lot.

The newest section of trail from Port Oneida Road to Bohemian Road (CR-669) is open for skiing but is not groomed. Some areas of this section are so close to the highway that snowplows throw sand and salt on the trail.

Trailhead parking is available on Forest Haven Road in Glen Arbor, Glen Haven, the Dune Climb, Pierce Stocking Drive, and the corner of Voice Rd and Bar Lake Rd on the north end of Empire. The section of trail north of Glen Arbor has trailhead parking at Crystal View Trailhead, the Bay View Trailhead on Thoreson Road, and on Port Oneida Road.

Pets are not allowed on the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail from December 1 – March 31. See Park Pet Page for more information.

The Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes manages and maintains the bike trail. They have over 40 Trail Ambassadors who ride or walk the trail on a regular basis. If you see one of these folks wearing the bright orange vest, feel free to ask them questions about the trail or the Park. They'll be happy to assist you.

To learn more about the trail and the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes, or to become a Trail Ambassador, check out their web site.