Photo of Sleeping Bear Dunes with bright sand surface

Photo of Sleeping Bear Dunes with turquoise pure water surface

Photo of Sleeping Bear Dunes with long straight shore

Photo of Sleeping Bear Dunes with very clean level of cleanliness

Photo of Sleeping Bear Dunes located in natural area

6.9

Good

Sleeping Bear Dunes

Empire, United States

#135 out of 151 in Michigan

6.9

Good

Free entrance Virgin beach Easy access Bright sand Sand bottom Good for swimming Short mountain trail

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Located outside the settlement

Glen Haven • 5.8 km

Map of beach

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About

Sleeping Bear Dunes is located on the Michigan lake and it is in the 135th place out of 151 beaches in the Michigan region 265.6 km away from its center, the city of Lansing. It is one of the beaches of Glen Haven settlement, just 5.8 km from its center. The beach is located in a natural place, among the mountains.

It is a long lasting coastline with crystal turquoise water and bright sand, so you don't need special shoes. The entrance to the water is very smooth. This beach is suitable for different categories of people, lonely travellers, relaxation getaway lovers etc. It is not crowded place during the season.

Sleeping Bear Dunes coast is free for all. It has no amenities, only nature. .

In addition to swimming and sunbathing, you can also take part in other activities.

Getting to the beach is quite simple: just take a short walk along the trail. Parking is located at some distance, within 300 meters.

Sleeping Bear Dunes (Michigan) is located outside the Glen Haven settlement, which may cause some difficulties for travelers who stay far from the coast. However, the remoteness from the village is not always a bad thing. Lovers of quiet rest know, the farther the beach, the fewer crowds.

The beach stretches on the sunny coast and the easiest way to get to the beach is by car or bike. If you don't have this option, then the second best solution is to use the taxi, which can drive you directly to the beach. The only problem, if your stay is far away it can be quite expensive. There is also a possibility of use of public transport, but in this case you need to check the correct route to the Sleeping Bear Dunes with the locals. Take into account that the bus stop is usually in some distance., but accessing the beach requires traversing some distance on foot. While driving or cycling are the most convenient options for reaching the start point of trail, these methods may not be feasible for everyone. Alternatively, a taxi can be used to drive directly to the location. Public transportation is another option, but it's important to confirm the correct route with locals beforehand as the bus stop may be located at some distance.

Weather

history

+14 ^o C +11 ^o C

Air temperature

7.1 M/S

Wind

+8 ^o C

Water temperature

0.6 M

Wave height

Located outside the settlement

Glen Haven • 5.8 km

Map of beach

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Booking.com

Area

Average rating of nearest beaches is 7.5 (Very good)

View map

Nearest Beaches

5.2km

Empire Beach Empire Beach

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Peterson Beach Peterson Beach

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Platte River Beach Platte River Beach

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Bohemian Road Beach Bohemian Road Beach

7.2 Good

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Good Harbor Bay Beach Good Harbor Bay Beach

7.3 Good

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Point Betsie Beach Point Betsie Beach

7.3 Good

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Elberta Beach (Ebeach) Elberta Beach (Ebeach)

7.6 Very good

Localities

Nearest

Glen Haven • 5.8km

Main locality of province

Lansing • 265.6km

Transport

Airport

TVC • 40.4km

Bus Station

Traverse City, MI (Bay Area Transportation Authority) • 36.1km

All nearest beaches

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Travelers reviews

Average Reviews rating

6.9 Good

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Share your experience with other travelers

Average Reviews rating

6.9 Good

Ben Harper

10 Exceptional

Absolutely breathtaking! The weather was absolutely beautiful, and the view was simply stunning. Nine of my friends embarked on the journey down to the beach and back. It took them anywhere between 16 and 26 minutes to complete the hike. I must say, their performance was truly impressive.

October 2023

Max Anderson

8 Very good

The experience at Sleeping Bear Park was truly incredible. Although it requires a bit of a walk from the parking area to reach the overlook, it is absolutely worth it. The views are stunning, with the seamless blend of the sky and the water. There are plenty of safety measures in place, including park crew available for any emergencies. Additionally, there are numerous hiking paths and even a second secluded overlook where you can see the Sleeping Bear formation. I highly recommend making time to visit, but do keep in mind that it tends to get crowded and parking can be limited.

October 2023

Benjamin Hayes

10 Exceptional

The Great Lakes region is incredibly beautiful, but Sleeping Bear Dunes takes it to a whole new level. Situated on the eastern coast of Lake Michigan near Empire, Michigan, this place is like a piece of heaven. It's conveniently located just 2.5 hours away from Grand Rapids and also serves as a perfect starting point for a trip to the Upper Peninsula. When you reach the overlook at Sleeping Bear Dunes, you'll be treated to a stunning sight of the rolling dunes against the backdrop of Lake Michigan. I highly recommend visiting during sunrise or sunset to witness the awe-inspiring views. The serene tranquility of this place will soothe even the most restless soul.

October 2023

brandon jenson

10 Exceptional

This is the perfect spot! The park offers the most stunning view from atop a massive sand dune. The initial viewpoint is likely the ideal spot to capture a picture-perfect scene that stretches over the dune and the lake. And don't worry about the sign; it's not too difficult to climb back up if you're fit and have about thirty minutes to spare. The beach and the waves below offer a truly pleasant experience, all while gazing up at the towering dune. Just be cautious if you visit on a windy day, as it can get quite intense.

October 2023

Talia Winters

10 Exceptional

The beach was peaceful and well-maintained. When I arrived at 7am, I had the entire park to myself, and it was truly delightful. Luckily, I got to drive along the scenic route today, which is usually closed from Monday to Thursday during the summer for maintenance. I spotted and heard a variety of birds during my visit.

October 2023

Questions and answers

What is the water and sand quality of the Sleeping Bear Dunes?

The coastline of Sleeping Bear Dunes is covered with golden sand. It's very clean, the surface has a mixed fraction. Turquoise and clear water sparkles in the sun. The entrance to the water is sandy, which makes it very comfortable.

What are the key activities at Sleeping Bear Dunes?

For the main activity - sunbathing, there are no sun loungers on the Sleeping Bear Dunes, so you need to take personal items with you and there is no natural shade, so be careful on a hot day.

Is the Sleeping Bear Dunes good for swimming?

The entrance to the water is very smooth, the bottom is comfortable.

Sleeping Bear Dunes does not have a wave-protected swimming area, but there are usually no strong waves during the season.

There are few boats in the bay. So the overall recommendation of the Sleeping Bear Dunes for swimming is positive.

Is the Sleeping Bear Dunes good for families?

Family travelers should consider the following features of the beach. This is the natural virgin beach with minimal amenities. It's covered with sand and the entrance to the water is very smooth.

Is the Sleeping Bear Dunes secluded and good for relaxing?

The region of the Sleeping Bear Dunes is not one of the mass tourism destinations, but is still popular with solo travelers. The beach is located in a natural area. During the high season, the occupancy of the beach is moderate, which is very good for lovers of a relaxing holiday.

The following features add extra points:

On the territory of the national park / reserve

Is there any food or beverages in the area of Sleeping Bear Dunes?

There is no restaurant or bar directly on Sleeping Bear Dunes.

How far is the Sleeping Bear Dunes from parking?

The Sleeping Bear Dunes has a parking spot. It is not very large, so in high season it can be busy. It's not very close, about 300 meters and you have to overcome a small descent.

What is the best time of the year to visit Sleeping Bear Dunes?

The month with the highest temperature in Sleeping Bear Dunes is August. Its average value reaches 22°C. The warmest sea is in August, the average value is 21°C. The coldest month is February with air temperature -1°C and water 1°C. See more details in weather section.

Is the beach good for sunbathing?

Sleeping Bear Dunes (Michigan) is not fully equipped for sunbathing. However, if you are not picky and are willing to spread out on a towel, you can sunbathe here as well. The natural shade will allow you to hide from the scorching sun in the peak of its activity. Well, the photos of our visitors will be the best proof of that, all the available photos of the beach are above.Sleeping Bear Dunes (Michigan) is a place for true nature lovers, but if you like sunbathing on the beach, then this location is not the best option. There are no sunbeds and umbrellas, and even there is no natural shade to hide you from the scorching sun. From positives, the presence of sand, on which you can sit comfortably. But do not forget sunscreen for this place, such a recommendation is relevant. Photos of the beach you can see above. All photos are taken by our visitors personally.