Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, National seashore in Michigan, United States.
The national lakeshore extends for 35 miles along Lake Michigan's eastern coastline with sand dunes reaching heights of 450 feet above water level.
The site became a National Lakeshore on October 21, 1970, following legislation that transformed private properties into protected federal lands for conservation.
The name originates from an Ojibwe legend about a mother bear and cubs seeking refuge, represented by a tree-covered knoll resembling a sleeping bear.
The Philip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire provides maps, permits, and information about camping, hiking trails, and seasonal activities throughout the park.
The protected area includes North and South Manitou islands, featuring an 1871 lighthouse and former Life-Saving Service stations along the shoreline.
Location: Leelanau County
Location: Benzie County
Inception: October 21, 1970
Operator: National Park Service
Website: https://nps.gov/slbe
GPS coordinates: 44.91306,-86.02028
Latest update: May 28, 2025 18:12
Michigan features historical sites and natural areas with lighthouses, waterfalls, and sand beaches. The region presents geological formations, old forests, and industrial monuments. The landscape includes lakes, cliffs, and dunes, while historical buildings document the state's development.
Point Betsie Light
30.9 km
Glen Haven, Michigan
1.8 km
South Manitou Island Lighthouse
12 km
Platte River Campground Site
23.1 km
Port Oneida Rural Historic District
5 m
Leland Historic District
23.8 km
SS Jarvis Lord
6.1 km
North Manitou Shoal Light Station
12.9 km
North Manitou Island Lifesaving Station
23.4 km
Saint Joseph's Catholic Church
11 km
Fountain Point
25.4 km
Empire School
11.8 km
Benzie County Courthouse
32.3 km
William and Margaret McFarland Core Farm
26.6 km
Lake Leelanau Narrows Bridge
25.5 km
George Conrad Hutzler Farm
14.8 km
Hutzler's Barn
15.7 km
Bingham District No. 5 Schoolhouse
27.6 km
Boathouse #2
1.2 km
Van's Beach
23.7 km
Manning Memorial Light
11.6 km
Bay Theatre
29.9 km
Crystal Beach
31.4 km
Beulah Beach
32.2 km
Pacific Salmon Historical Marker
28.7 km
Leland Historic District (Fishtown) Historical Marker
23.8 km
Fishtown Historic District
23.8 km
Trapp Park
32.2 kmReviews
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