Late autumn · Weather & things to do
Sleeping Bear Dunes in November
Sleeping Bear Dunes cools off: highs slip to 44°F (7°C), from 54°F in October, with lows of 38°F (4°C) and about 2.7 in (68 mm) of rain.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 46/100, 7th of 12.
- Avg high
- 44°F (7°C)
- Avg low
- 38°F (4°C)
- Rain
- 2.7 in (68 mm)
- Humidity
- 81%
- Cloud cover
- 79%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 19 min
- Comfort score
- 46/100 · Fair
What November feels like
Afternoons only reach about 44°F (7°C), so plan on a warm jacket.
Nights cool to an average low of 38°F (4°C).
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 2.7 in (68 mm).
Expect plenty of overcast days, with cloud cover near 79%.
It's breezy, with average winds near 15 mph (6.6 m/s) at ground level.
Daylight is short, roughly 9 h 19 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around November
November sits mid-table; the best months are September.
- Comfort slips from 59/100 in October to 46/100.
- Our Michigan Lake Shore route recommends Jun – Sep, so November falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for November
- Insulated jackethighs only 44°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaa shower or two is likely
- Windproof shellaverage wind 15 mph
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Sleeping Bear Dunes in November
Weather can go either way, so the picks below mix open-air spots with indoor backups.
Art's Tavern
Glen Arbor tavern since 1934 with burgers and whitefish.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 44°F.
Good Harbor Vineyards
Leelanau Peninsula family winery known for cool-climate whites.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Empire Bluff Trail
1.5-mile round trip through woods to a boardwalk on a high bluff.
Cherry Republic
Flagship store for tart cherry products, with free tastings and a café.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 44°F.
Dune Climb
Steep 110-foot sand climb; the full trail to Lake Michigan is 3.5 miles round trip.
Nearby in November
- Traverse City in November~21 mi · highs 44°F, 2.8 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Door County in November~58 mi · highs 43°F, 2.2 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Mackinac Island in November~103 mi · highs 41°F, 3.0 in rain · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Holland in November~137 mi · highs 46°F, 3.0 in rain · 1°C (3°F) warmer by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Sleeping Bear Dunes in November: quick answers
Is November a good time to visit Sleeping Bear Dunes?
It's middling, scoring 46/100. The best months are September, at up to 81. Expect highs of 44°F (7°C) and 2.7 in (68 mm) of rain. Our Michigan Lake Shore route recommends Jun – Sep, so November is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Sleeping Bear Dunes in November?
Average highs are 44°F (7°C) and average lows 38°F (4°C), making it the 6th-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Sleeping Bear Dunes in November?
Some: about 2.7 in (68 mm) of rain falls across November on average, the 5th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 34.0 in (863 mm).
What should I pack for Sleeping Bear Dunes in November?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 44°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (a shower or two is likely), windproof shell (average wind 15 mph) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Sleeping Bear Dunes
Planning Sleeping Bear Dunes in November?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.