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Sight Empire, Sleeping Bear Dunes

Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive

A sight in Empire, Sleeping Bear Dunes, budget-friendly ($) and worth about 1.5 hours. Best time to go: Sunset.

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Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive in Empire, Sleeping Bear Dunes
Photo: Chris Flener · Google

Why go

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

It is one of 9 curated places we feature in Sleeping Bear Dunes, alongside 3 activities, 1 place for a drink and 1 place to eat. The closest of our other picks is Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, 0.9 mi away as the crow flies.

Type
Sight
Neighborhood
Empire
Price
$
Time needed
1.5 hr
Best time
Sunset

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 · 0.9 mi straight-line
  2. 2
    Dune Climb

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

    Activity · 1.6 mi straight-line
  3. 3
    Dune Climb

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

    Activity · Traverse City · 1.6 mi straight-line
  4. 4
    Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail

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

    Activity · 2.9 mi straight-line
  5. 5
    Glen Haven Historic Village

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

    Sight · 3.1 mi straight-line
  6. 6
    Cherry Republic

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

    Shopping · 3.9 mi straight-line

On these curated routes

Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive 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

Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is our only sight 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 Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive itself, we suggest: Sunset.

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 Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.

Address
Pierce Stocking Scenic Dr, Michigan, USA
Coordinates
44.86066, -86.05077
Destination
Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan

Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive: quick answers

How much time do you need at Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive?

Plan on about 1.5 hours at Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.

When is the best time to visit Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive?

Our pick: Sunset.

Where is Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive?

Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is at Pierce Stocking Scenic Dr, Michigan, USA, in Empire. The Google Maps and Apple Maps links on this page open it for directions.

Which TripsCircle routes include Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive?

Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive appears on Michigan Lake Shore, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.

Add Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive 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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Also in Sleeping Bear Dunes

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