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Michigan, United States

Sleeping Bear Dunes

Two days for the dunes, scenic drive, Glen Arbor and a paddle on the Crystal River. We have mapped 2 sights, 3 activities and 1 outdoor spot here, each with a reason to go.

Plan Sleeping Bear Dunes with friendsBrowse 9 places
Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan, United States
Places
9

2 See · 3 Do · 1 Outdoors · 1 Eat · 1 Drink · 1 Shop

Curated routes
1

Michigan Lake Shore

Best season
Jun – Sep

from our route notes

Warmest month
August

21°C / 69°F avg high

Coolest month
February

-2°C / 29°F avg high

Wettest month
October

about 107 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Sleeping Bear Dunes

9 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

The landmarks we would not skip in Sleeping Bear Dunes across Empire and Glen Haven.

  • Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive in Sleeping Bear DunesPhoto: Chris Flener · Google
    See

    Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive

    7-mile loop with Lake Michigan Overlook, 450 feet above the water.

    • Empire
    • $
    • 1.5 hr
    • Sunset
  • Glen Haven Historic Village in Sleeping Bear DunesPhoto: Royalbroil · CC BY-SA 3.0
    See

    Glen Haven Historic Village

    Restored lumber-era village with the Cannery Boat Museum and a blacksmith shop.

    • Glen Haven
    • Free
    • 60 min
    • Summer afternoon

Do

Hands-on ways to spend time in Sleeping Bear Dunes in Glen Arbor.

  • Dune Climb in Sleeping Bear DunesPhoto: Yuki Fujita · Google
    Do

    Dune Climb

    Steep 110-foot sand climb; the full trail to Lake Michigan is 3.5 miles round trip.

    Tip Bring water and shoes; the trail to the lake is harder than it looks.

    • Glen Arbor
    • $
    • 2 hr
    • Morning
  • Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail in Sleeping Bear DunesPhoto: Logan Deneau (Logo) · Google
    Do

    Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail

    Paved bike path linking Empire, Glen Arbor and Glen Haven through the lakeshore.

    • Glen Arbor
    • Free
    • 2 hr
    • Morning
  • Crystal River Outfitters in Sleeping Bear DunesPhoto: Crystal River Outfitters Recreational District · Google
    Do

    Crystal River Outfitters

    Kayak and tube rentals for a slow float down the clear Crystal River.

    • Glen Arbor
    • $$
    • 2 hr
    • Summer afternoon

Outdoors

Trails, views and open space in and around Sleeping Bear Dunes.

  • Empire Bluff Trail in Sleeping Bear DunesPhoto: Steve Post · Google
    Outdoors

    Empire Bluff Trail

    1.5-mile round trip through woods to a boardwalk on a high bluff.

    • Empire
    • Free
    • 60 min
    • Late afternoon

Eat

1 place to eat in Glen Arbor, picked for groups who care about the food.

  • Art's Tavern in Sleeping Bear DunesPhoto: Josh Zacher · Google
    Eat

    Art's Tavern

    Glen Arbor tavern since 1934 with burgers and whitefish.

    • Glen Arbor
    • $$
    • 60 min
    • Dinner

Drink

1 bar or café in Leelanau for coffee, a round or a nightcap.

  • Good Harbor Vineyards in Sleeping Bear DunesPhoto: Good Harbor Vineyards · Google
    Drink

    Good Harbor Vineyards

    Leelanau Peninsula family winery known for cool-climate whites.

    • Leelanau
    • $$
    • 60 min
    • Afternoon

Shop

1 shop in Glen Arbor for browsing and souvenirs.

  • Cherry Republic in Sleeping Bear DunesPhoto: Cherry Republic | Glen Arbor · Google
    Shop

    Cherry Republic

    Flagship store for tart cherry products, with free tastings and a café.

    • Glen Arbor
    • $
    • 45 min
    • Afternoon

How to fit Sleeping Bear Dunes into a trip

Sleeping Bear Dunes is stop 2 of 3 on our Michigan Lake Shore route. Follow it as-is or lift Sleeping Bear Dunes into your own plan.

Getting here and onward

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Sleeping Bear Dunes month by month

Average daily highs run from -2°C / 29°F in February to 21°C / 69°F in August. October is the wettest month, with about 107 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Sleeping Bear Dunes weather and the best time to visit →

Near Sleeping Bear Dunes

8 other destinations from our guides within about 250 km (155 mi), measured in a straight line.

Sleeping Bear Dunes questions, answered

How many days do you need in Sleeping Bear Dunes?

Our route notes suggest 2 days in Sleeping Bear Dunes. On our Michigan Lake Shore route it is stop 2 of 3 in a 6-day trip. The listed visit times for our 9 places add up to roughly 12 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Sleeping Bear Dunes best known for?

Two days for the dunes, scenic drive, Glen Arbor and a paddle on the Crystal River. Standouts on our list: Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive (7-mile loop with Lake Michigan Overlook, 450 feet above the water); Glen Haven Historic Village (Restored lumber-era village with the Cannery Boat Museum and a blacksmith shop); Empire Bluff Trail (1.5-mile round trip through woods to a boardwalk on a high bluff).

When is the best time to visit Sleeping Bear Dunes?

Our Michigan Lake Shore route is best Jun – Sep. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in August (21°C / 69°F), the coolest in February (-2°C / 29°F) and the most rain in October (about 107 mm).

What are the best things to do in Sleeping Bear Dunes?

Start with Dune Climb, Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, Empire Bluff Trail, Glen Haven Historic Village and Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail. Our guide lists 9 places in all, from 2 sights, 3 activities, 1 outdoor spot, 1 place to eat, 1 bar or café and 1 shop.

What is near Sleeping Bear Dunes?

The closest destinations in our guides are Traverse City (about 35 km / 21 mi), Door County (about 94 km / 58 mi) and Mackinac Island (about 165 km / 103 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Sleeping Bear Dunes with your crew

Open the Michigan Lake Shore route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 9 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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