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Outdoors Empire, Sleeping Bear Dunes

Empire Bluff Trail

An outdoor spot in Empire, Sleeping Bear Dunes, free to visit and worth about an hour. Best time to go: Late afternoon.

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Empire Bluff Trail in Empire, Sleeping Bear Dunes
Photo: Steve Post · Google

Why go

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

It is one of 9 curated places we feature in Sleeping Bear Dunes, alongside 3 activities, 2 sights and 1 place for a drink. The closest of our other picks is Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, 3.9 mi away as the crow flies.

Type
Outdoors · Nature
Neighborhood
Empire
Price
Free
Time needed
1 hr
Best time
Late afternoon

Nearby

Our closest curated picks, including 2 beyond Sleeping Bear Dunes. Distances are straight-line, not walking or driving.

  1. 1
    Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive

    Seven-mile loop through the dunes with overlooks 450 ft above Lake Michigan.

    Sight · Traverse City · 3.9 mi straight-line
  2. 2
    Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive

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

    Sight · 4.2 mi straight-line
  3. 3
    Dune Climb

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

    Activity · 5.7 mi straight-line
  4. 4
    Dune Climb

    Climb a huge sand dune; the full hike to Lake Michigan is 3.5 miles round trip.

    Activity · Traverse City · 5.8 mi straight-line
  5. 5
    Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail

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

    Activity · 6.9 mi straight-line
  6. 6
    Glen Haven Historic Village

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

    Sight · 7.3 mi straight-line

On these curated routes

Empire Bluff Trail is a stop on our Michigan Lake Shore route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.

More to do in Sleeping Bear Dunes

Empire Bluff Trail is our only outdoors pick in Sleeping Bear Dunes; here is what else we recommend there. See the full Sleeping Bear Dunes guide.

When to go

Average daily highs in Sleeping Bear Dunes run from 29°F in February to 69°F in August; October is usually the wettest month. For Empire Bluff Trail itself, we suggest: Late afternoon.

Modelled monthly averages for Sleeping Bear Dunes from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Full Sleeping Bear Dunes weather by month.

Getting there

Map links open a live search for Empire Bluff Trail, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.

Address
Empire Bluff Trail, Empire Township, MI 49640, USA
Coordinates
44.80120, -86.06648
Destination
Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan

Empire Bluff Trail: quick answers

How much time do you need at Empire Bluff Trail?

Plan on about an hour at Empire Bluff Trail. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.

When is the best time to visit Empire Bluff Trail?

Our pick: Late afternoon.

Is Empire Bluff Trail free?

Yes, we list Empire Bluff Trail as free to visit. Check locally before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.

Where is Empire Bluff Trail?

Empire Bluff Trail is at Empire Bluff Trail, Empire Township, MI 49640, USA. The Google Maps and Apple Maps links on this page open it for directions.

Which TripsCircle routes include Empire Bluff Trail?

Empire Bluff Trail appears on Michigan Lake Shore, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.

Add Empire Bluff Trail to your crew's plan

Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to Sleeping Bear Dunes.

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Lists & regions

Also in Sleeping Bear Dunes

Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.