A Spectacular Michigan Attraction: The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Nestled south of Traverse City is the majestic Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Named one of America’s Top 10 Family Destinations in 2012 by Family Fun Magazine, the Dunes are a Michigan attractions that should not be missed.

The Legend

The legend claims a forest fire in Wisconsin forced a mama bear and her cubs into the waters of Lake Michigan. When Mama reached the Michigan shore, she realized her cubs were nowhere to be found. The Great Spirit was so moved by her situation that he had her drift off to sleep creating the Sleeping Bear Dune. He marked the place where the cubs vanished by creating Manitou Islands. The legend claims a forest fire is a Michigan attractions that should not be missed

Philip A. Hart Visitor Center

Visitors can learn about the park’s geology, history, flora and fauna through dioramas and exhibits. Staff is available to answer any questions, and maps are on display for bikers and hikers to plan their routes.

Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum

The Sleeping Bear Point Life-Saving Station opened in 1901 to serve ships sailing through the Manitou Passage. Due to shifting winds, the station moved to its current location in 1931. It closed after World War II, and today it is a museum in Michigan. Exhibits include details on the crew’s daily lives, and the history of the life-saving efforts they used.

The Dunes

This fun, but challenging climb rewards climbers with incredible views of the dunes’ summit and Glen Lake. If you wish to continue on your journey, there are three trails you can follow. The easiest is the handicapped-accessible 1.8 mile Duneside Accessible Trail that takes hikers through fields and woods. Next is the moderate 2.8 mile Sleeping Bear Point Trail to Sleeping Bear Point. The most difficult is the Dunes Trail that leads to Lake Michigan and back.

Other Trails

There are several other trails located throughout the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. They include:

Alligator Hill – This hilly ridge got its name because the outline looks like an alligator’s head. The 1.5 mile hike is on an incline and it leads to a scenic overlook of Lake Michigan and the Manitou Islands.

Bay View Trail – There are eight miles of easy and intermediate trails divided into loops. Along the way, you will see an overlook, preserved farms, and a historic cemetery hidden in the woods.

Pyramid Point Trail – This steep trail will give you a workout, but the incredible views of Manitou Islands and the North Manitou Shoal Light Station are worth the hike.

Manitou Islands

North and South Manitou Islands are the cub symbols of the Sleeping Bear legend, and both offer exciting opportunities for visitors. On South Manitou Island, you can step back in time and learn about the region’s early settlers and their farms and visit an old schoolhouse, cemetery, and more. North Manitou Island is a great getaway for any nature lover. It offers many acres of backpacking, camping, and hiking.