Exploring & Hiking in Sleeping Bear Dunes NLS

LOCATION:  Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (NLS)

The Philip Hart Visitor Center is located at 9922 W Front St, Empire, Michigan USA (about 22 miles west of Traverse City in the northwestern quadrant of Michigan's Lower Peninsula)

Telephone:  (231) 326-4700

BACKGROUND INFO:  Fortunately for us, in 1970 Congress authorized the preservation of this beautiful stretch of land in and around Lake Michigan.  This 71,199 acre park includes two islands (North and South Manitou), an 1871 lighthouse (on South Manitou Island), and a rural historic farm district (Port Oneida) … not to mention the dune formations, miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, inland lakes and rivers, forests, and countless year-round recreational opportunities.   

Welcome to Sleeping Bear Dunes NLS

Sleeping Bear Dunes NLS is a fee area   If you don’t have a Park pass one can be purchased at the Visitor Center in Empire, Michigan.  This is a good place to start.  You can get maps and information about the park, view a movie in the auditorium or wander through the exhibit area.

Philip Hart Visitor Center

Sleeping Bear Dunes NLS is one of my favorite weekend destinations.  From the view at the top of the popular Dune Climb to the scenic overlooks along the Pierce Stocking Drive to the hidden treasures that can be discovered when exploring the back-country two-track roads, I never get tired of visiting 'the Dunes" and here are some of the reasons why … 

Bluff Your Way to the Top at Empire Bluffs Trail, Michigan

We drive to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore (Empire, Michigan) and hike the Empire Bluff Trail.  This is a popular hike especially at sunset.  The thunderstorm we had earlier today may not be conducive for one of Lake Michigan’s awesome sunsets but we enjoy the trail anytime of the day.  There are two other cars at the trail head when we arrive a little after 8 p.m.  The trail is 3/4 of a mile in length passing by patches of wildflowers, a piece of antique farm equipment, through a pine/spruce forest to the high bluff that overlooks Lake Michigan, Empire Beach, and Glen Lake.  We sit at a wooden bench 400' above the shoreline watching the sunlight dance on the water and the warm golden light coloring the sand.  The sun slips behind a bank of clouds hovering over the horizon ending any possibility for a sunset.   So, the sunset ends not in a fiery blaze of glory but with a gentle golden glow.  

Empire Bluff Trail

Empire Bluff Overlook

Lake Michigan Sunset

Shadow Fun