Ready to head to where Good Morning America voted is the “Most Beautiful Place in America?!” Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in the Northwest Corner of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula is stunning. While most think of the water life here there is a plethora of stunning hiking trails too. Come explore this beautiful area of the state that Happy People Hike was founded in! In this article we share Six Sleeping Bear Dunes Day Hikes (and a few water adventures.)
Sleeping Bear Dunes has several different areas that weave in and out of Michigan Beach Towns on the famous M-22. I lived in two different towns within a few minutes of Sleeping Bear one summer and hiked every trail available. I’ll share some of my favorite day hikes that I have done along with lodging and camping options I have utilized.
It’s a great long weekend trip if you live in most of the Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, or Illinois area. There are TONS of different town options you can stay in OR you can camp at the National Lakeshore. We lived in Interlochen and Lake Leelanau during our time in Northern Michigan.
It’s a privilege to go hiking on public lands. Especially while you are taking a trip, on vacation, or on a holiday somewhere you don’t live. Giving love and respect to the culture is vital and while we are at it…Leave No Trace and Pack Your 10 Essentials :)!
Six Sleeping Bear Dunes Michigan Day Hikes:
1. The Dune Climb
2. Empire Bluff
3. Otter Creek and Lake
4. Alligator Hill
5. South Manitou Island
6. Pyramid Point
Sleeping Bear Dunes Hike: The Dune Climb
The Dune Climb starts at the parking lot labeled “The Dune Climb.” I hiked this more than moderate hike on a foggy and chilly morning. The four and a half mile hike begins with a steep climb to the top of the dunes and proceeds to move up and down until arriving on the shores of Lake Michigan.
It’s an iconic hike, somewhat strenuous, and can be SUPER HOT in the summer. There is no shade on the trail.
I would put this in one of my 25 Favorite Day Hikes in the US. It is one of the few trails that is not dog friendly in Sleeping Bear so leave the fur baby at home!
Sleeping Bear Dunes Hike: Empire Bluff
This dog friendly bluff trail is relatively flat with only a few hundred feet of ascent/descent and is short on length. But what it lacks in elevation and length it makes up for with some of the most iconic and jaw dropping views of the SLBE Lakeshore on Lake Michigan. For those not interested in the up and down gains of the Dune Climb this is a great hiking option. Combine with a ride on the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail or a sandwich at the Shipwreck in Empire! This hike is also a favorite for my dog.
Empire would be an excellent “base camp” town for Sleeping Bear. Others would be Leland, Glen Arbor, Suttons Bay, and Lake Leelanau. Interlochen, Northport, Frankfort, and Traverse City are a bit farther but easily doable to explore from.
Sleeping Bear Hike: Otter Creek and Lake
You have a few different options leaving from Esch Beach area and you really can’t go wrong. There’s also the Bass Lake trail that is super tasty for the hiking addicts.
You will get wild flowers, meadows, woods, and lakes and the chance to get to experience a different side of Sleeping Bear Dunes than most typically see or hear about.
I recommend the hike first with a plunge in Lake Michigan to cool down afterwards, or a nice ice bath depending on the time of year you hit the trails.
Alligator Hill Hike.
Three trail length options depending on what you want to do. All beautiful jaw dropping jaunts through forest, meadows, and peeks out to the Manitou Islands and Lake Michigan.
On a hot day with my dog I will do the intermediate option but the beginner and advanced might be just what you are craving, you do you!
This is a great one if you are near Glen Lake and it also provides a bit fewer crowds than some of the main trails.
South Manitou Island Hiking
Take the ferry (or if you have access to your own water vehicle you can arrive there that way as well) to the isolated wilderness of the Manitou Islands in Sleeping Bear Dunes.
It’s a short ferry ride from the town of Leland and I spent the day hiking several different connecting trails on the South Island. I finished up the day with a swim in Lake Michigan. You can also spend the night, it’s a pack in pack out camping option that will include you hiking to the campground.
I can’t wait to go visit these islands again. Book your ferry ticket HERE and learn about backpacking on the Manitou Islands HERE.
Sleeping Bear Dunes Day Hikes: Pyramid Point.
When we lived in the small town of Lake Leelanau the Pyramid Point trail was the closest hike to our apartment. My dog and I went hiking there and on a few of the other nearby trails several times a week, there are are also a splattering of “hidden” beach outlets to Lake Michigan. You’ll more or less have the beach to yourself.
Pyramid Point is an excellent out and back or loop option hike that gives you high arching views down to Lake Michigan. There’s a small ascent but overall this is a family friendly hiking trail in Sleeping Bear!
Sleeping Bear Dunes also offers plenty of water options. Kayaking the Platte River and Crystal River, Winter Surfing Lake Michigan, and SUP’ing in one of the calm inlets or lakes along the National Lakeshore are all aqua based adventures you can embark on while exploring Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan!
Thanks for reading and supporting Happy People Hike, comment below with any questions. If you are planning a hiking or road trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes in Michigan we are happy to help out!
Happy Hiking,
Mike R
