Trip ideas while visiting Traverse City in Michigan
Located on Michigan’s eastern coast, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore offers visitors a rare opportunity to witness perched dunes. These towering dunes, extending 35 miles along the shoreline, were created by ancient glaciers. Over time, the slopes shaped by the glaciers transformed into dunes due to the constant movement of sand pushed ashore by Lake Michigan’s tides. This extraordinary natural occurrence led to the park being designated as a National Lakeshore in 1970.
Sleeping Bear Dunes attracts over a million visitors each year. People come here for the stunning dunes, breathtaking views of the colorful lakeshore, serene forested hiking trails, beautiful beaches, and exciting outdoor activities. If you’re new to the park, start your adventure with the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. This 7 1/2-mile drive will take you through picturesque forests and along the sand dunes, leading you to different overlook points. There are over 100 miles of trails for hiking enthusiasts to choose from. For an easy hike, try the Empire Bluff trail, a round-trip of 1 1/2 miles that leads you straight to the edge of the dunes. If you prefer a more moderate challenge, the Pyramid Point trail offers some hills and scenic beauty. For those seeking sweeping views of the lake and surrounding forests, the Alligator Hill trail is a 9-mile option that takes you higher up. Apart from hiking, there are plenty of other activities available, such as biking, kayaking, canoeing, and even scuba diving. In winter, the park welcomes visitors for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, sledding, and more.