Drive the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive 3. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore encompasses 65 miles of sandy shoreline along the Great Lake Michigan. These immense sand dunes are "perched" atop the already towering headlands that are glacial moraines. This Northern Michigan park was established primarily because of its outstanding natural features, including forests, beaches, dune formations, and ancient glacial phenomena. The Lake Michigan beaches within the National Lakeshore are some of the finest freshwater beaches in the country. Getting Here | Sleeping Bear Dunes Traveling to Sleeping Bear Dunes If you are driving, drive to the intersection of M-72 and M-22 on the western side of Traverse City and then: Turn left on M-72 toward Empire and travel about 14 miles to a blinking light and turn left to continue on M-72. Make yourselves look as large as possible (raise your arms, move to higher ground, or if in a group huddle together) and assert your dominance. [8]. Come see why our location is so unique. Susan Pocklington, Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear. Sleeping Bear Dunes Sleeping Bear Dunes Sort By: Enjoying the View Empire Bluffs Sleeping Bear Sunrise - Panoramic Sleeping Bear Sunrise Rushing to Sleeping Bear Rolling Into Empire Loving Fall at Sleeping Bear Windy Night at Sleeping Bear To Empire and Beyond Stocking Drive in the Spring Floating on Clouds Sleeping Bear Overlook Breathtaking View The Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail provides over 20 miles of accessible walking and biking trail, with a portion groomed for skiing when snow conditions allow. I thought I'd share my own Sleeping Bear Dunes Travel Guide for Families like mine who are heading up there for the first time! Never run from a bear! Stay at least 150 feet (45 meters) away from the bear and enjoy watching how a bear moves through the landscape or forages for natural foods. Explore this page to start planning your visit to the Lakeshore. Good question! Make noise by talking loudly, singing, or clapping hands, particularly when coming around blind corners or bluffs. If the bear changes its behavior, you are too close, so back away. Empire, 2 - The Famous Dune Climb. 7 - Go Back in Time at Glen Haven, MI. A bear and two little cubs were trying to leave that place and come around the lake where there would be more food. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore | Michigan | Perfect Weekend A Sleeping Bear Dunes Travel Guide for Families The park covers a 35-mile-long (56km) stretch of Lake Michigan's eastern coastline, as well as North and South Manitou islands. Basic Information Sleeping Bear Dunes has a lot to offer, whatever your interests. The bear will probably do the same. Michigan's Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore encompasses a 60 km (35 mi.) Complete Guide to Visiting Sleeping Bear Dunes National - Tripelle Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Conservation and Recreation Act, List of areas in the National Park System of the United States, "Sleeping Bear Dune National Lakeshore, Michigan, Park Statistics", "Sleeping Bear Dunes Voted 'Most Beautiful Place in America', "Dedicating Sleeping Bear Dunes Wilderness", "Sleeping Bear Dunes Dedicated as Federally Protected Wilderness", "Historical Weather for Traverse City, Michigan", 5 Most Popular Camping Spots in Michigan (based on Google Traffic), "Piping plovers come to Sleeping Bear Dunes every year and scientists are obsessed", National Park Service: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore: Final General Management Plan, Wilderness Study Environmental Impact Statement, Traverse City Convention and Visitors Bureau, Aerial Video of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Kirtlands Warbler Wildlife Management Area, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sleeping_Bear_Dunes_National_Lakeshore&oldid=1162853759, Protected areas of Benzie County, Michigan, Protected areas of Leelanau County, Michigan, Wikipedia articles needing page number citations from September 2014, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 4.0, This page was last edited on 1 July 2023, at 13:34. Life Hike down Sleeping Bear Dunes and can't get back up? This striking #wildflower is a pink lady's slipper. Miles of sand beach, bluffs that tower 450 above Lake Michigan, lush forests, clear inland lakes, unique flora and fauna make up the natural world of Sleeping Bear Dunes. 49630, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. They have struggled to the top, felt the sand . The Ashininaabek used the Mother Bear as a landmark and tell a story about how she came to be there. The General Store was established to supply the workers. A scenic weekend at Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan - Lost With Purpose Don't run--slowly back away, while watching the bear and talking in a stern tone. If not possible, yell at the bear, and stay a safe distance from the bear. In 1863, McCarty built the Sleeping Bear House. 49630, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Traverse City is a fine small town city ( one of the nicest in the country I think) but it has nothing to do with Sleeping Bear NAtional Lakeshore. They will chase you and bears can run faster than 30 mph. Travel another 8 miles and the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center will be on your right. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on Twitter: "Now you see it, now Sleeping Bear Dunes Are there mountains in northern Michigan? If you do see a bear and you are at safe distance, remain calm and avoid sudden movements. 17 Jul 2023 19:27:57 Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is one of the few places in the world that visitors can see perched dunes. 12 mind-blowing spots in Sleeping Bear Dunes - mlive.com Empire, Suggest edits to improve what we show. By Emily Bingham | ebingham@mlive.com EMPIRE, MICH. -- Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore encompasses more than 70,000 acres of stunning Northern Michigan land and water, offering a. Improve this listing All photos (176) Top ways to experience nearby attractions This is one of the top things to do in the Traverse City area. Photo: NPS/L. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Photos (1,286) Directions Print/PDF map Length 6.8 miElevation gain 971 ftRoute type Loop Enjoy this 6.8-mile loop trail near Glen Arbor, Michigan. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on Twitter: "This striking # High dunes afford spectacular views across the lake. Pink lady's slippers bloom between May and July. Perched along the edge of the large dune that towers about Lake Michigan, this dune, at one time, resembled a sleeping bear. After many miles of swimming, the two cubs lagged. This Sleeping Bear Dunes Travel Guide will let you in on all the little secrets and the best spots to visit in the national lakeshore. Climb the South Manitou Island lighthouse, 50. A local story says that the name comes from the first ship to stop, the SS Oneida of New York State. A year-round attraction, the park provides outdoor recreation opportunities for everyone. If you see a bear, and it sees you, slowly back away, talking sternly to the bear ("hey bear/I see you/no bear") in a low voice. The lakeshore's towering dunes, which stretch 35 miles long Michigan 's. The surrounding area also includes several lakes and streams, making this National Lakeshore a great summer road trip destination. A bear sighting is a rare occurrence and will be a memory to cherish. If you chose to purchase any of the items above, it is at no additional cost to you however, we will get a small % of the sale. Welcome to the Sleeping Bear Dunes in Northern Michigan's Leelanau & Benzie Counties on the Lake Michigan shore. Named the "Most Beautiful Place in America" on ABC's Good Morning America, its no wonder why so many people flock to Sleeping Bear Dunes every year! Find your way to the Lakeshore by car, plane, or bus. At the turn of the century, it was a round knob completely covered with trees and shrubs. Be tick aware 7. [10] This popularity may be due to the fact it was named the "Most Beautiful Place in America" by Good Morning America in 2011. Secret Trail to Empire Bluff. Black bear are generally fearful of humans and will leave an area if they are aware of your presence. Here's your Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore complete guide! Sleeping Bear Dunes - Todd and Brad Reed by Bill Herd. 49630, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Stand your ground until the bear stops. Bears are wild and their behavior is sometimes unpredictable. By continuing to use our site you agree to ourprivacy policy. In 1878, David Henry Day arrived in the community. If it appears to be after your food, separate yourself from the food and back away while talking in a low/stern tone. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore also contains many cultural features including an 1871 lighthouse, three former Life-Saving Service/Coast Guard Stations and an extensive historic farm district. The dune overlooks at the Sleeping Bear, Empire, and Pyramid Point bluffs are about 400 feet above Lake Michigan, and with 65 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and numerous inland lakes and streams, the park is wonderfully water oriented. There are at least 20distinct camping areas in the region immediately surrounding Sleeping Bear Dunes. They are breathtaking. The trail is paved and is relatively flat the whole way. Drive, bike, or hike through the Port Oneida Rural Historic District and see farmsteads and fields that represent farming in the late 1800s or early 1900s. Join rangers and astronomers from the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society (GTAS) at the Dune Climb from 5 pm until 11 pm. The bears swam for many hours, but soon the cubs tired. We lightheartedly refer to them as "mountains of sand" otherwise known as the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Are there mountains in northern Michigan? The trail is paved and is relatively flat the whole way. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Try them for free! Epidemic Sound: https://link.eatseerv.com/epidemicsound Music Bed: https://link.eatseerv.com/musicbedC A M P I N G S P O T S https://www.michigan.org/property/keith-j-charters-traverse-city-state-parkS O C I A L Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/eatseerv Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/eatseerv Website: http://www.eatseerv.comThis channel is for entertainment purposes only. Sleeping Bear Dunes was designated a national park October 20, 1970, The park receives over 1,600,000 visitors a year, There is 65 miles of shoreline throughout the park, There are 26 inland lakes and 12 miles of rivers/streams throughout the park, Nine hundred and eight species of plants, 246 species of birds, and 4 endangered species call Sleeping Bear Dunes home, Two islands, North and South Manitou, are within the park boundaries, There are 370 different buildings throughout Sleeping Bear Dunes, Sleeping Bear Dunes is the largest freshwater dune system in the world, 9922 Front Street