Sleeping Bear Dunes

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, located along Lake Michigan’s eastern coast, is famed for its sweeping sand dunes, scenic overlooks, and diverse ecosystems. Covering over 70,000 acres, the park offers hiking trails, beaches, and stunning views from the towering dunes. Visitors enjoy activities like kayaking, bird-watching, and climbing the Dune Climb, while historic villages and lighthouses showcase the area’s rich cultural heritage. The land was historically inhabited by the Anishinaabek people, including the Odawa and Ojibwe tribes, who tell the legend of the sleeping bear that gives the park its name. Throughout the 19th century, European settlers established logging communities and fishing villages, remnants of which remain in historic sites like the Glen Haven Village. This preserved town offers insight into the logging and shipping industries, showcasing a working blacksmith shop, a cannery, and a restored general store. Additionally, the South Manitou Island Lighthouse and old farmsteads throughout the park reveal the region's connection to Great Lakes maritime travel and agriculture.