Towering dunes, turquoise water, and 35 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. A field guide to the place Good Morning America viewers voted America’s most beautiful.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore protects about 35 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline in Leelanau and Benzie counties, plus North and South Manitou Islands. Good Morning America viewers once voted it the Most Beautiful Place in America.
It rewards every kind of visitor: beachgoers, paddlers, cyclists, hikers, and anyone who just wants a good overlook. A park pass is required, and you can pick one up at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire.
Lake Michigan’s beaches here are public, with clear water and soft sand for swimming and sandcastles. Big and Little Glen Lakes have public boat launches, and On the Narrows rents boats, with jet skis and kayaks available on request.
Lake Michigan: public beaches throughout the park
Glen Lakes: public boat launches
On the Narrows: boat rentals
Pets: rules vary by beach, so check the NPS site
Crystal River Outfitters runs group kayak and canoe trips on a 4.5-mile stretch of gentle current, about two to three hours, ending at the village of Glen Arbor. Wildlife sightings are part of the draw.
Distance: about 4.5 miles, 2 to 3 hours
Outfitter: Crystal River Outfitters
Good for: families, groups, and solo paddlers
Trips run seasonally. Check dates before you plan.
The paved Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail runs more than 20 miles from Empire through Glen Haven and Glen Arbor toward Good Harbor Bay. For the easy version, drive the 7.4-mile Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive: 12 stops and a bluff overlook high above Lake Michigan.
Heritage Trail: mostly paved, with road crossings and a crushed-stone stretch near Port Oneida
Bike rentals: The Cyclery at Crystal River Outfitters
Pierce Stocking: seasonal, one-way, 20 mph, park pass required
Try the Empire Bluff Trail for a short loop, or Bay View for longer, gentler walks over hills and historic farmland. Pyramid Point, Alligator Hill, the Old Indian Trail, and the Platte Plains Trail are the other classics. The Dune Climb is strenuous, so bring water.
Empire Bluff Trail: 1.5-mile loop near Empire
Bay View Trail: about 8 miles of easy-to-moderate loops
Other trails: ask a ranger for current conditions
The Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum covers U.S. Coast Guard history and Great Lakes shipping, and often demonstrates the Lyle gun once used to rescue ships in distress. It is child-friendly, which makes it a good stop on a cloudy day.
Location: Glen Haven, inside the lakeshore
Good for: kids, school groups, and history fans
Hours: vary by season; see nps.gov/slbe
A four-bedroom Lake Michigan home in Glen Arbor that sleeps 10, with the Sleeping Bear Dunes shoreline close by.
The lakeshore covers about 35 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and roughly 70,000 acres, including North and South Manitou Islands.
Yes. A park pass is required, including for the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. You can buy one at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire.
Yes. The Dune Climb is a popular, strenuous climb, and a sandy trail continues beyond it to Lake Michigan. Bring water and sturdy footwear.
It is a 7.4-mile one-way loop with 12 numbered stops and overlooks of Lake Michigan and the Glen Lakes. It is open seasonally, roughly May to late October, and takes about two hours if you visit every stop.
Not in 2026. The National Park Service reports that the Manitou Island Transit ferry is not operating during dock construction. Check nps.gov/slbe for the latest access information.
Left Coast Vacation Rentals manages homes in Glen Arbor and Empire, close to the lakeshore. Browse our properties or check availability.
Details verified October 2026. Park roads, trails, and businesses keep seasonal hours, so confirm before you go.
