Everything You Need to Know About the 13 Mainland Sleeping Bear Dunes Hiking Trails

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is more than just a beautiful destination in western Michigan—it’s where adventure and lakeside peace meet in the most stunning landscapes. We’ve had the pleasure of hiking many of the trails here, each with its own unique experience of towering sand dunes, forests, and sweeping views of Lake Michigan.

The hiking trails at Sleeping Bear Dunes are a perfect weekend adventure. Whether it’s the challenge of climbing the steep dunes or the peaceful walk through shaded woods, hiking in the lakeshore is fun and exciting.

So, where are the best spots for hiking in Sleeping Bear Dunes? We’ve explored these trails, and I’m excited to share my favorite hikes with you. Whether you’re planning a quick day trip or an extended stay, there’s a trail that’s just right for your adventure.

Read on to discover the trails that have made my visits to Sleeping Bear Dunes unforgettable—and find out which ones will make your next trip just as memorable.

Can You Even Hike Sleeping Bear Dunes?

In short… YES! Sleeping Bear Dunes has 13 mainland trails open for hiking in the spring, summer, and fall. Most of these trails are still open in winter but for cross-country skiing.

I’m about to tell you all about each one so you can make the best decisions regarding which hikes to do based on your abilities and what you want to experience on your hike. All of the national lakeshores in the US have great hiking trails, but these ones have especially stunning views.

From what we’ve found, the hiking trails in Sleeping Bear Dunes are well-maintained and clear, so navigation should be relatively easy.

The caveat is to exercise caution when hiking out on the dunes. It can be easy to get disoriented on the vast expanses of sand. The routes are labeled with blue-topped wooden posts, so always be sure to keep the next one in sight.

Where to Find Sleeping Bear Dunes Trail Maps

When arriving at Sleeping Bear Dunes, grab a free map at a visitor’s center. If you’re camping at one of the two park campgrounds, you’ll also be able to find maps there.

These free maps are all you’ll need to explore the Sleeping Bear Dunes hiking trails on the mainland.

The one thing you should know about the free map is that not all of the small side roads, especially dirt roads, are included. However, we still found it enough to see everything we wanted to see in Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Sleeping Bear Dunes Hiking Trails At A Glance

Trail #	Trail Name	Distance (mi)	Difficulty	Coordinates
1	Old Indian	2.7	Easy	44.702420, -86.185310
2	Platte Plains	14.7	Easy-Mod	44.725230, -86.058790
3	Empire Bluff	1.5	Easy-Mod	44.799320, -86.058730
4	Windy Moraine	1.5	Easy-Mod	44.854530, -86.035730
5	Shauger Hill	2.4	Moderate	44.852480, -86.040530
6	Cottonwood	1.4	Moderate	44.873350, -86.052110
7	Dune Climb	3.5	Hard	44.883060, -86.042020
8	Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail	22	Easy	44.828210, -86.058980
9	Sleeping Bear Point	2.8	Moderate	44.909280, -86.039330
10	Alligator Hill	9	Moderate	44.889110, -85.992350
11	Bay View	8	Moderate	44.934227, -85.949473
12	Pyramid Point	2.8	Moderate	44.961660, -85.930180
13	Good Harbor Bay	2.8	Easy	44.936700, -85.857460
Bonus	Kettles Trail	3.0	Easy	44.821890, -85.920360
Bonus	Platte River Campground to Beach Access	1.6	Easy	44.719880, -86.117600

Full Details on All the Sleeping Bear Dunes Hiking Trails

This list of Sleeping Bear Dunes hiking trails is organized according to the map.

The trail numbers here correlate to the trail numbers on the map, making it easier for you to plan and prepare for all of your Sleeping Bear Dunes hikes.

1. Old Indian Trail

• Distance: 2.7 miles
• Route: Loop
• Difficulty: Easy
• Time to Hike: 1.5 hours
• Elevation gain: 85 feet
• Dogs Permitted? Yes, seasonally from April 1-November 30

Located at the southern end of Sleeping Bear Dunes, the Old Indian Trail is a little out of the way if you stay at the D.H. Day campground, but it is worth adding to your itinerary. There are 2 loops, each totaling 2.3 miles.

The outer loop, labeled the black loop, has more hilly terrain, but we still found it to be a quick, easy hike. The route passes through some small swampy areas where you mwhere you can catch sight of some wildlife. This can also make it buggy in the summer, so use your bug spray before heading out. The inner green loop is flatter and relatively easy.

At 1.3-1.5 miles, both trails meet at a spur trail that leads through the dunes. You can walk 0.2 miles through loose sand to a gorgeous pebble beach on Lake Michigan.

If you don’t want to walk through loose sand, you can walk a short distance and view the lake from the top of the sand dunes.

The loop’s return is a mostly flat 1-mile walk through shaded forest land.

This would be a great hike on a hot day. The trail is mostly shaded, except for the 0.2-mile spur to the lake, where you can dip your toes midway through the hike.

Dogs are permitted on most of this trail but can’t come with you on the dunes. If you bring your pup, skip the spur.

How to get there: From the visitor center in Empire, head south on M-22 for about 13. 8 miles. The parking lot will be on the right, marked by a large sign just before the turn.

Drive Time from Philip A. Hart Visitor Center: 20 minutes

2. Platte Plains Trail

• Distance: 14.7 miles total, separated into 3 loops
• Route: Loop
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Time to Hike: 2-3 hours, unless you hike the entire system
• Elevation gain: 131 feet
• Dogs Permitted? Yes, seasonally from April 1-November 30

The Platte Plains trail system is a series of loops leading through forested land, around 3 inland lakes, and past a creek. Most of the trails are easy in difficulty, except for a few hills on the Lasso Loop.

There are several shorter loops if you want to avoid heading out on a nearly 15-mile day hike.

The Bass Lake Loop from the Trail’s End Road trailhead covers about 3.5 miles and has Bass and Deer Lakes views.

The Otter Creek Loop, which begins at the trailhead on Esch Road, travels 4.6 miles along Otter Creek and Lake.

The Lasso Loop, a little longer at 6.6 miles, has 3 spots for viewing Lake Michigan. This section of trail also has some more hill climbs, if you’re looking for a workout.

You may need your maps to navigate these loops, as they do overlap. There is some signage, but it can get confusing.

The only backcountry camping opportunity in Sleeping Bear Dunes, the White Pine Backcountry Campground, can be found along these Platte Plains trails. There are only 6 sites here, and you must have obtained a permit before your hike.

This system has 3 marked trailheads accessed from the Platte River Campground.

How to get there: To reach the Otter Creek trailhead off Esch Road, head south on M-22 from the visitor center for 3.9 miles. Then, turn right onto Esch Road. After 1.2 miles, turn left onto Aral Road. The parking area and trailhead will be found on the left in just a couple hundred feet.

To access the Platte Plains trails from the Trail’s End trailhead, continue south from the visitor center on M-22 for 6 miles. Turn right onto Trails End Road. After 0.4 miles, keep left to stay on the same road. The trailhead can be found after continuing on for another 0.5 miles.

These trailheads are separated by 4.3 miles or about 10 minutes of driving.

Drive Time from Philip A. Hart Visitor Center: 10 minutes to Otter Creek Trailhead, 13 minutes to Trail’s End Road Trailhead

3. Empire Bluff Trail

• Distance: 1.5 miles
• Route: Out and Back
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Time to Hike: 1 hour
• Elevation gain: 170 feet
• Dogs Permitted? Yes

The Empire Bluff Trail in Sleeping Bear Dunes is well-known for its Lake Michigan scenic overlooks. However, on this hike, you will not descend the dunes to the lake’s waters. You’ll instead view them from above.

The Empire Bluff Trail is also where some of the most Instagrammed Sleeping Bear Dunes hiking photos are taken, so if you want to stay away from the crowds, visit early in the morning. It’s also a popular sunset spot.

The trail travels up and down hilly sections through wooded forests. Old farm equipment marks the land’s historic use.

The first lookout faces north towards the Bar Lakes, and Lake Michigan can also be seen. On a nice, clear day, you can see as far as South Manitou Island!

Continue on for the real views. You’ll be treated to a wooden boardwalk along the bluffs with expansive views. There are a couple of benches at the end of the boardwalk where you can stop and rest if needed before returning to your vehicle.

How to get there: From the visitor center, head south on M-22 for 0.3 miles, then veer right on S Lacore Road, which bears right onto Washington Street. Turn left onto Wilco Road, and the trailhead will be on the right in just under 1 mile. Wilco Road continues on to return to M-22 in about 0.5 miles.

Drive Time from Philip A. Hart Visitor Center: 5 minutes

4. Windy Moraine Trail

• Distance: 1.5 miles
• Route: Loop
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Time to Hike: 1 hour
• Elevation gain: 226 feet
• Dogs Permitted? Yes, seasonally from April 1-November 30

Honestly, this trail isn’t very exciting in the spring and summer. It’s a short walk through wooded areas. After passing along a meadow, you’ll climb a hill and then return to where you started. The overlook labeled on the trail maps is hidden with tree leaves during those seasons.

This hike would give you a break from some hot summer sun or provide a little variety to all the loose sand hiking.

However, if you are looking for beautiful fall colors, this would be a great place to see them.

The overlook views would be better in winter, with fewer leaves on the trees.

An educational display is placed along this loop at about the halfway point. You can learn about the area’s soil makeup, and it gives a special breakdown of how plants and animals thrive in this special soil.

How to get there: From the visitor center, head north on M-22 for 3.7 miles, then turn left onto M-109. After 1.4 miles, turn right onto W Welch Road, labeled 616 on the free map. The trailhead will be immediately on your right, labeled by a large sign.

Drive Time from Philip A. Hart Visitor Center: 8 minutes

5. Shauger Hill Trail

• Distance: 2.4 miles
• Route: Loop
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Time to Hike: 1 hour
• Elevation gain: 96 feet
• Dogs Permitted? Yes, seasonally from April 1-November 30

This loop hike includes more hiking through the maple-beech forested terrain and pine areas. It does include hills if you are looking for more of a workout.

Unlike others in the park, this trail does not offer spectacular views beyond the forested areas.

You may, however, get to see some wildlife on the trail. Even if you don’t see any animals, you’ll find what they’ve left behind, including evidence of the hard work of woodpeckers in the old trees.

Also, this trail crosses the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive route and Shauger Hill Road two times each. The drive gets busy in the summer, so exercise extra caution around the crossings.

How to get there: From the visitor center, head north on M-22 to M-109, continuing left. After 3.4 miles, you’ll turn left at the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive entrance. There will be a parking lot on your right just before going through the ticket booths for the drive, where you can find the trailhead.

Drive Time from Philip A. Hart Visitor Center: 8 minutes

6. Cottonwood Trail

• Distance: 1.4 miles
• Route: Loop
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Time to Hike: 1 hour
• Elevation gain: 171 feet
• Dogs Permitted? Yes

The Cottonwood Trail is a short hike at Stop #4 on the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. Don’t be fooled into thinking this hike will be a breeze due to the short distance. It mainly consists of walking out over the dunes.

You’ll get an up-close and personal look at the grasses and other plants that call the dunes home. Treat yourself to views that overlook Lake Michigan, Glen Lake, and the D.H. Day Farm in the distance.

If you want to get a glimpse of what it’s like to take on the Dune Climb, you can get a bird’s eye view of the sandy incline and parking lot where that trek begins.

This hike is worth the trek, especially if you want to stretch your legs while on the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive.

How to get there: From the visitor center, head north on M-22 to M-109, continuing left. After 3.4 miles, you’ll turn left at the entrance to the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. You’ll continue through the ticket booths onto the drive. This hike begins at the overlook at Stop #4, about 2.5 miles into the 7.4-mile drive.

Drive Time from Philip A. Hart Visitor Center: 17 minutes (potentially longer during busy times when the Scenic Drive is busy and backed up)

7. Dune Climb

• Distance: 3.5 miles
• Route: Out and Back
• Difficulty: Difficult
• Time to Hike: 3-4 hours
• Elevation gain: 130 feet
• Dogs Permitted? No

If you haven’t gotten your fill of sandy climbing yet, then you’re in for a treat. This hike starts with a challenging climb up the loose sandy dune sand and continues up and down all the way to Lake Michigan.

This is the most popular Sleeping Bear Dunes hiking spot.

Many people climb the first dune and turn around. This is completely fine, especially if you realize more climbing is beyond your abilities. If you choose to continue, you must conquer five more dunes before reaching Lake Michigan.

When you reach the Lake Michigan beach, you can explore a little and find remnants of two shipwrecks. One can be found to the north and one to the south.

If you plan to hike the entire route to the beach and back, which totals 3.5 miles, plan to double your average pace for the distance. Do not underestimate the loose sand.

This is a great spot to view a sunset from atop the dunes, but it can be windy since it is so open. Even if it’s a warm day, we’d recommend bringing along long sleeves or a light windbreaker. As the sun goes down, it can get chilly.

We also would recommend something other than flip-flops when heading out on this hike. Even though it passes on so much sand, the sand gets hot quickly in the summer, and you want to avoid ending the hike with burnt feet.

How to get there: Follow M-22 and M-109 north for 5.6 miles from the visitor center. The entrance to the Dune Climb will be labeled with a large park sign on the left and accessed by following Hunter Road for 100 yards. You can spot the signature Dune Climb hill from M-109.

Drive Time from Philip A. Hart Visitor Center:11 minutes

8. Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail

• Distance: 22 miles currently
• Route: Point-to-point
• Difficulty: Easy
• Time to Hike: 6 hours one-way
• Elevation gain: 2,080 feet
• Dogs Permitted? Yes, seasonally from April 1-November 30

First of all, this trail is a multipurpose trail, unlike the others which are solely hiking trails in the summer.

It’s mostly paved, can accommodate wheelchairs and strollers, and is also suitable for biking and rollerblading. However, a few miles around the Bay View trailhead and through Port Oneida are stones that are probably best avoided on rollerblades.

This trail still needs to be completed, as it is planned to cover 27 miles of Lakeshore terrain. At the time of publication, it covers about 22 miles. Because of the distance, it’s best biked instead of hiked, but it would be a great option in sections for those with wheelchair or stroller needs.

The trail connects many of the top sites of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, including the towns of Glen Arbor and Empire. You can access this path from many of the other trailheads, including the Dune Climb, the beginning of the Scenic Drive, Alligator Hill, and Bay View.

A popular way to explore one of the shorter sections is to begin from the Dune Climb lot and head north just over 2 miles to explore the Glen Have Historic District.

If you want to ride (or hike, I suppose) the whole trail length, there is typically a shuttle operating from one end to the other.

How to get there: The Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail has 10+ trailheads to access various points. This map of the Trail, including all the trailheads, from the NPS website would be extremely helpful in planning your route.

Drive Time from Philip A. Hart Visitor Center: Varies

9. Sleeping Bear Point Trail

• Distance: 2.8 miles
• Route: Loop
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Time to Hike: 2 hours
• Elevation gain: 314 feet
• Dogs Permitted? Yes

The Sleeping Bear Point Trail has plenty of loose, sandy terrain. This one is a little shorter than the Dune Climb at 2.8 miles, and if you begin the loop clockwise further from the dunes, it starts out with some more packed sand and a little shade.

Many recommend hiking this trail counterclockwise, which arrives much more quickly at a spur trail to a less-visited beach along Lake Michigan. The spur trail entails about 0.5 miles of hiking to reach the beach.

You’ll be able to catch a glimpse of the Manitou Islands off in the distance into Lake Michigan.

Begin with plenty of time before sunset and head out on the shaded, packed section of trail. You’ll head up and over some of the dunes for spectacular lookouts with beautiful lighting. Then, after crossing lots of loose sand dunes, stop and take a break to enjoy a beautiful sunset from the top of the dune before heading back to your car.

Even though the beach along this trail is more relaxed than some others, nothing else is really notable about it. You won’t miss much by skipping it.

As with the other dune hiking trails, the same suggestions apply. Sunscreen is a must. Plan appropriate footwear. And if you take our advice on the sunset hike, take a jacket or some long sleeves. The wind at the edge of the dunes while waiting for sunset can be chilly.

Pack a small blanket and a snack to enjoy a picnic with a fantastic view.

Pets are not permitted on this trail during the summer months from April 15 to August 15 due to piping plover breeding (A piping plover is a small bird, in case you’re wondering what that is!).

How to get there: Continue along M-22 and M-109 north from the visitor center. After 7 miles, continue left onto Glen Haven Road. The road takes a sharp left, turns into Sleeping Bear Dunes Road, and continues along the lakeshore past the Cannery Boathouse Museum. You’ll have to navigate a roundabout in front of the Coast Guard Station, where you’ll need to take the third exit for West Sleeping Bear Drive. Pass the exits for the Coast Guard Station and Sleeping Bear Dunes Road. West Sleeping Bear Drives ends at the trailhead parking lot in 1.4 miles.

Drive Time from Philip A. Hart Visitor Center: 15 minutes

10. Alligator Hill Trail

• Distance: 9 miles
• Route: Loop
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Time to Hike: 2.5 hours
• Elevation gain: 669 feet
• Dogs Permitted? Yes, seasonally from April 1-November 30

Another trail system divided into several smaller loops, the Alligator Hill system covers 9 miles. It is separated into loops based on difficulty with an easy, intermediate, and advanced trail.

At the beginning of the trail, you’ll see some historical significance of the area in the charcoal kilns used by Pierce Stocking during his years spent working there.

Side note: You’ve probably come across that name a few times planning a Sleeping Bear Dunes trip. He worked in the lumber industry in this small area of Michigan. He found that his sawmill produced a significant amount of waste, which he did not like. He built these kilns to turn the waste into charcoal to sell to campers throughout Michigan.

The most popular route on this hike takes you just less than 1.5 miles through forested land to the Island Lookout, where great views of the Manitou Islands and Sleeping Bear Point can be seen on clear days. There is a bench here to stop and take in the views.

You can then continue up the spur trail to Big Glen Lookout, which is 0.8 miles one way. The overlook peeks through the trees to see Glen Lake. You’ll then need to return 0.8 miles the way you came to get back to the trail split. If you return to your car, this route would come to about 4.6 miles in total.

Subtract the Big Glen Lake Lookout and hike about 3 miles. You could continue on the intermediate trail to add about 2 miles if you want to extend. Continuing on the advanced trail from the junction for Big Glen Lookout would result in a 3.2-mile return trip to the parking area.

These extra loops travel mostly through forested terrain, so you won’t miss much if you want to skip them.

How to get there: Continue along M-22 and M-109 north from the visitor center. Turn right in 6.2 miles onto Day Farm Road. In 0.6 miles, Day Farm Road meets Stocking Road, where you should turn left. The trailhead and parking area will be found after just a short distance on the right.

Drive Time from Philip A. Hart Visitor Center: 12 minutes

11. Bay View Trail

• Distance: 8 miles
• Route: Loop
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Time to Hike: 3 hours
• Elevation gain: 479 feet
• Dogs Permitted? Yes, seasonally from April 1-November 30

Yet another series of smaller loops that can be combined or separated for hikes of numerous lengths, the Bay View trails wind around and through the Port Oneida Historic District.

Some sections travel through the maple-beech or pine forests, while others pass through farmlands and meadows.

This trail is perfect for viewing wildflowers in the meadows during the summertime. The best time to hike this trail, however, is during the fall. The wooded trails are transformed by the reds, oranges, and yellows of the foliage.

Stop at Lookout Point to snap a photo from the bench while taking in the views of the farmland and Lake Michigan in the distance.

Here are a couple of route options for this collection of trails:

How to get there: From the visitor center, head north on M-22 to Glen Arbor, which is 7.8 miles. Turn right at the T in Glen Arbor to continue on M-22 for another 3.5 miles. Here, M-22 veers to the right, but you’ll want to keep straight onto S Thorenson Road. The trailhead will be on the left after 0.3 miles.

Drive Time from Philip A. Hart Visitor Center: 20 minutes

12. Pyramid Point Trail

• Distance: 2.8 miles
• Route: Loop
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Time to Hike: 1.5-2 hours
• Elevation gain: 260 feet
• Dogs Permitted? Yes, seasonally from April 1-November 30

I’ll be blunt. This is a popular Sleeping Bear Dunes hiking trail. You’ll have a more difficult time finding solitude here. Often, especially on weekends, the parking lot fills up, and you’ll find plenty of cars parking along the dirt road to access this hike.

The trail is short and sweet but can be made even shorter.

From the trailhead, the lookout at Pyramid Point is a mere 0.6 miles from the trailhead. Most people hike this as an out-and-back, totaling a mere 1.2 miles.

However, note that the trail section to reach the lookout point is almost entirely uphill. Some sections are steep. The return trip, on the other hand, is mostly downhill!

This would be an excellent family hike, as the viewpoint is not far from the parking area. If you’re bringing children, you can return to the car or continue along another loop hiking trail.

The place to escape the crowds on this trail and continue the rest of the outer loop through the forest and meadow scenery. This is the 2.8-mile loop. Just note that the last 0.4 miles of this return trip follow the dirt Basch Road to the parking area.

How to get there: Head north on M-22 for 12.1 miles through Glen Arbor. Then, turn left onto South Port Oneida Road. You’ll continue for 1.9 miles, weaving past Camp Leelanau & Kohahna. Then, turn right onto Basch Road. The parking lot and trailhead will be on your left after 0.3 miles on this dirt road.

Drive Time from Philip A. Hart Visitor Center: 25 minutes

13. Good Harbor Bay Trail

• Distance: 2.8 miles
• Route: Loop
• Difficulty: Easy
• Time to Hike: 1.5 hours
• Elevation gain: 16 feet
• Dogs Permitted? Yes, seasonally from April 1-November 30

The Good Harbor Bay trail is the furthest from Empire to the north. It is also a really easy hike on flat land but does have access to a beach and smaller sand dunes at the beginning.

This trail would be best saved for when there has been no rain in the last few days. After taking the footbridge across the creek before returning across the boardwalk, the section is marshy and can get really muddy.

This trail provides an interesting perspective into the development of the habitats as you move away from Lake Michigan. From active dunes to the older-growth beech-maple forest and everything in between, the area’s plant life progresses. As plants decay and produce topsoil, larger plants and trees can grow.

Even though this is an easy trail, it’d be smart to wear waterproof shoes or boots when hiking it. Being such a lowland trail, it can become muddy and even flood, even when some other area trails are in great condition.

After this hike, enjoy a picnic at the picnic area just beyond the trailhead on West Lake Michigan Road, or head down and enjoy the clear Lake Michigan waters from the beach.

How to get there: Take M-22 north through Glen Arbor and past Port Oneida for 15.5 miles. You’ll then turn left onto South Bohemian Road. When you reach the intersection with West Lake Michigan Road, just before the parking area for Bohemian Road Beach on Good Harbor Bay, turn right. You’ll find the trailhead at the end of the road in less than 1 mile.

Drive Time from Philip A. Hart Visitor Center: 28 minutes

Bonus: Kettles Trail

• Distance: 3.0 miles
• Route: Loop
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Time to Hike: 1.5-2 hours
• Elevation gain: 364 feet
• Dogs Permitted? Yes, seasonally from April 1-November 30

The Kettles loop trail isn’t marked by a number on the free access map. However, you’ll find this 3-mile trail on the marked authorized parkland to the southeast of Glen Lake.

This trail is perfect for getting away from the crowds for a nice, quiet hike in the woods. The downside is that you won’t see the spectacular Lake Michigan views. It does lead to a few nice little spots near kettles moraine and bog.

The trail is mostly shaded and would be great to hike on a hot, sunny day.

In prime times, the meadows along the Kettles loop are perfect for wildflower viewing. Consider this, especially in the late spring and summer.

How to get there: From the visitor center, turn left on M-72 and follow for 6.8 miles. Turn left onto South Gilbert Road and follow this road for 1 mile to W Baatz Road. Then, turn right. The trailhead is 0.8 miles on the left.

Drive Time from Philip A. Hart Visitor Center: 14 minutes

Bonus: Platte River Campground to Beach Access

• Distance: 1.6 miles
• Route: Out and Back
• Difficulty: Easy
• Time to Hike: 1 hour
• Elevation gain: 55 feet

The trail begins behind the restroom building at the loop parking area for all walk-in campsites and continues past some of the walk-in sites on the “C” spur.

Leading through the typical maple-beach forests, then through a smaller set of dunes, eventually in 0.8 miles, you’ll end up at the beach on Lake Michigan.

The terrain at the beginning of the trail is packed dirt, and it ends with loose sands heading to the beach.

If you’re camping at Platte River, this would be a great trail to end the day! Return to your campsite to drop off your vehicle, then hike down the trail to the beach and enjoy the sunset! A short return trip, less than one mile, will bring you back to the campground, where you will lay your head for the night.

How to get there: Just head to the Platte River Campground! Head south on M-22 for about 10 miles. Turn right onto Lake Michigan Road, just before the bridge over the Platte River. In 0.3 miles, you’ll turn right into the campground, where if you’re camping for any length of time, you’ll need to stop and check in at the ranger station. After stopping at the ranger station, continue through the campground to the left. The walk-in sites are located at the end of the drive on a small dead-end loop.

Drive Time from Philip A. Hart Visitor Center: 17 minutes

A Note About Dogs on Sleeping Bear Dunes Hiking Trails

The national lakeshore is generally welcoming to pets, but they do limit access to certain areas. his is because sometimes the habitat is fragile, an endangered species is nesting in the area, or it is dangerous for pups.

Knowing where pups are allowed and where they are not can be confusing. Seasonally, pets aren’t permitted on cross-country ski trails, and they aren’t permitted at the backcountry campsites both on the mainland and the Manitou Islands.

To be safe, always follow signage at trailheads and along the trails. Sometimes, areas will be temporarily closed for one reason or another. We did our best to give you general guidance, but please refer to the lakeshore’s advice on pets for the most up-to-date restrictions.

What to Bring on your Sleeping Bear Dunes Hiking Trip

• Sunscreen for the dune trails and beaches
• Hat
• Light Jacket
• Plenty of water
• Comfortable hiking shoes or sandals… I love my Chacos for this type of trip!
• Bug spray for the wooded trails

Final Things to Know Before Hiking in Sleeping Bear Dunes

Like many other national parks sites in the US, Sleeping Bear Dunes has an “entrance” fee. At the most popular attractions such as the Dune Climb and the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, there are ticket booths you must drive through prior to entering the parking area.

At other smaller or less crowded areas, there are no staffed ticket booths, but a receipt or park pass must be displayed on your car before beginning your hike. The $25 fee for the vehicle covers visiting sites for up to one week, and it goes back into maintaining the parklands. Rangers do check and are known to write tickets for unpermitted vehicles in specified lots, so I wouldn’t recommend trying to get away with something!

Wrapping Up: The Best Sleeping Bear Dunes Hiking Trails

All of the hiking trails in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore have their perks and draws, but some rise above the rest. If you’re looking for a hike for a particular reason, here are our favorites!

• Best Viewpoints: Cottonwood Trail
• Best Terrain Variety: Old Indian Trails
• Best Overnight Hike: Platte Plains Trail
• Best Easy Hike: Empire Bluff Trail
• Best Moderate Hike: Sleeping Bear Point Trail
• Best Advanced Hike: Dune Climb
• Best Hike with Children: Pyramid Point Trail

Sleeping Bear Dunes is a great place to spend a weekend or more exploring. Looking for other suggestions on where to explore? Our full guide to Sleeping Bear Dunes covers everything there is to do.

Check it out, and let us know your favorite spots in Sleeping Bear Dunes, too!