Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
Aerial view of Sleeping Bear Dunes, with North Manitou Island (right) and South Manitou Island (left) in the background
Location	Benzie & Leelanau counties, Michigan, United States
Nearest city	Empire, Michigan Glen Arbor, Michigan
Area	71,199 acres (288.13 km²)
Established	October 21, 1970 (1970-10-21)
Visitors	1,501,117 (in 2022)
Governing body	National Park Service
Website	Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a special park in Michigan, United States. It's located in the northwestern part of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. The park stretches along 35-mile (56 km) of Lake Michigan's eastern coast. It also includes North Manitou Island and South Manitou Island.

This amazing park protects 71,199 acres (111 sq mi; 288 km²) of land. It is famous for its huge sand dunes, beautiful forests, and sandy beaches. You can also see cool things left behind from ancient glaciers. The lakeshore has many historical sites too. These include the 1871 South Manitou Island Lighthouse and old Coast Guard stations. There is also a large area with historic farms.

The National Park Service takes care of the park. It was created on October 21, 1970. In 2011, a TV show called Good Morning America named it "The Most Beautiful Place in America." In 2014, a part of the park became the Sleeping Bear Dunes Wilderness. This means it is a wild area that is extra protected.

Exploring Sleeping Bear Dunes
- Nearby Towns
History of the Dunes
Fun Things to Do
Weather in the Park
Special Animals
Gallery
See also

Exploring Sleeping Bear Dunes

Looking south from Sleeping Bear Bluff toward Empire Bluff

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore covers a large area of Lake Michigan's shoreline. Much of this park is on the Leelanau Peninsula. This is a big piece of land that sticks out into the lake. The park is about 20 miles (32 km) west of Traverse City. This is the biggest city in Northern Michigan.

The southern part of the park is in Benzie County. It includes the shores of Platte Bay and the mouth of the Platte River. This area is flatter than the northern parts. The northern sections are in Leelanau County. Here you will find the famous dune climb, Empire Bluff, Pyramid Point, and Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. A lot of the park in Leelanau County is next to Glen Lake. This is Michigan's 18th largest lake.

The park also includes North Manitou Island and South Manitou Island. You can reach these islands by taking a ferry from Leland.

Two scenic roads, M-22 and M-109, run through the park. The M-22 road sign has become very popular. Many visitors buy merchandise with its symbol.

Nearby Towns

The closest towns to the national lakeshore are Empire and Glen Arbor. Empire is home to the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center. This is where the park's main office is located.

History of the Dunes

How the Dunes Were Formed

View of the dunes with people for scale, showing the sheer size of the dunes

The amazing landscape you see at the park was shaped a long, long time ago. This happened during the Wisconsin glaciation. This was a period of time about 10,000 to 14,000 years ago. Huge sheets of ice, called glaciers, moved across the land.

The dunes themselves are not just piles of sand. They are called "perched dunes." This means they are a thin layer of sand blown by the wind. This sand sits on top of a very large pile of rocks and dirt left by the glaciers. Over many years, the dunes have slowly moved eastward.

Protecting the Park

In 1962, a senator named Philip Hart first suggested making Sleeping Bear Dunes a national park. The park was finally approved on October 21, 1970. Creating the park was a big deal because it meant some private land became public land. The government wanted to protect this area. They saw the Great Lakes as a "third coast" that needed to be saved, just like the ocean coasts.

Some people who lived there didn't want it to become a park. They felt they were already taking good care of the land. They also worried about too many tourists. But the government eventually created the park. They helped local schools to make up for lost taxes. They also included North Manitou Island in the park area.

In 2014, 32,500 acres (13,200 ha; 50.8 sq mi) of the park became the Sleeping Bear Dunes Wilderness. This was a special law passed by the United States Congress. It was the first time in five years that such a wilderness protection bill was passed.

The Legend of the Sleeping Bear

The park gets its name from an old Ojibwe legend. It's a story about a mother bear and her two cubs. A huge forest fire started on the western shore of Lake Michigan. The mother bear and her cubs swam into the lake to escape the fire. They wanted to reach the other side.

After swimming for many miles, the two young cubs started to fall behind. The mother bear finally reached the shore. She waited on top of a tall bluff, hoping her cubs would appear. But the tired cubs drowned in the lake.

The Great Spirit was touched by the mother bear's strong love and hope. So, the Spirit created two islands, North and South Manitou islands, to remember the cubs. The winds then covered the mother bear with sand. She became the dunes, where she still waits today. The "bear" was a small hill covered with trees. From the water, it looked like a sleeping bear. Over the years, wind and erosion have made this "bear" much smaller.

Fun Things to Do

Dune Climb

The dune climb

The main dune climb is a very popular spot. It's located across from Glen Lake. If you drive there, you'll need to buy a day pass or an annual pass from the National Park Service. You can also get to the dune climb by walking or biking. At the bottom of the main dune, you'll find water stations, restrooms, and a gift shop. Brave hikers can even hike all the way to Lake Michigan from here!

Camping Adventures

Historic D.H. Day Farm

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is one of Michigan's most popular places for camping. This might be because it was called "The Most Beautiful Place in America" in 2011. There are several campgrounds in the park. These include D.H. Day Campground and Platte River Campground. There are also camping areas on the Manitou Islands. Plus, there are spots for backcountry camping and group camping.

D.H. Day Campground – This campground is between Glen Arbor and Glen Haven. It offers good privacy and has a beach on Lake Michigan. The campsites are rustic and spread out. Nearby places to visit include Empire Bluffs, the "dune climb," and North Bar Lake. Some campsites allow generators, while others do not.
Platte River Campground – This campground is in Benzie County. It has different types of campsites. Some are modern, some are "hike-in," and some are more rustic. Close by are Platte River Point, the Platte River, and Big Platte Lake. The northern part of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park is a short drive away. Kayaking is a favorite activity here, especially the trail from the campground to Platte River Point.

You can also find campgrounds on the Manitou Islands. South Manitou Island has three main campgrounds: Weather Station Campground, Bay Campground, and Popple Campground. Many other camping areas are also located near Sleeping Bear Dunes. These cater to the many tourists who visit each year. There are at least 20 different camping areas in the region around the park.

Hiking Trails

Empire Bluffs Overlook, near Empire

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore has many hiking trails. Some popular ones include the Alligator Hill Trail, Empire Bluff Trail, Kettles Trail, Pyramid Point Trail, and Treat Farm Trail. These trails offer amazing views and a chance to explore the park's natural beauty.

Historic Places to See

Glen Haven Village

Sleeping Bear Inn in Glen Haven

Glen Haven was a "company town" from 1865 to 1931. This means one company owned most of the businesses and homes. It started as a dock for Glen Arbor in 1855. Soon, it became a place where ships could get fuel. Charles McCarty built a dock to sell wood to the ships. In 1863, he built the Sleeping Bear House. It was later made bigger for travelers. In 1928, it became an inn for summer visitors. The General Store provided supplies for the workers. Workers were often paid with special coupons. These coupons could only be used at the company store. The Blacksmith Shop was where tools were fixed. In 1878, David Henry Day arrived. Coal was starting to replace wood on steamships. So, Day looked for new ways to help the small community grow.

Port Oneida Historic Farms

In 1860, Port Oneida had 87 people. Thomas Kelderhouse built a dock to sell wood to passing steamships. He also sold fresh produce and maple sugar when it was in season. A local story says the area was named after the first ship to stop there, the SS Oneida from New York. This area covers 3,000 acres (12 km²) and has 16 historic farms. Over time, farming became difficult. Also, fewer trees were being sold. So, people slowly started to leave the farming community.

Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive

Glen Lake from the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive

Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is a beautiful road inside the park. It's known for its amazing views and gentle curves. You can find it off M-109, between Empire and Glen Haven. The road is 7.4 miles (11.9 km) long. It gives you access to stunning views of Lake Michigan, Glen Lake, and the park's surrounding lands.

Kayaking Fun

Kayakers in the Platte River, near its mouth at Platte River Point in Benzie County

Kayaking is a very popular activity in the park's rivers and lakes. You'll often see kayakers enjoying the Crystal River and Platte River.

Weather in the Park

Climate data for Traverse City, Michigan
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	29 (−2)	29 (−2)	37 (3)	54 (12)	64 (18)	75 (24)	81 (27)	78 (26)	71 (22)	60 (16)	44 (7)	33 (1)	55 (13)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	15 (−9)	11 (−12)	21 (−6)	32 (0)	41 (5)	52 (11)	59 (15)	58 (14)	51 (11)	41 (5)	31 (−1)	21 (−6)	36 (2)
Average rainfall inches (mm)	1.9 (48)	1.5 (38)	1.8 (46)	2.3 (58)	2.8 (71)	2.5 (64)	2.8 (71)	2.7 (69)	3 (76)	2.8 (71)	2.7 (69)	1.8 (46)	28.6 (730)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	19.9 (51)	16.2 (41)	12.1 (31)	3 (7.6)	0.3 (0.76)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.7 (1.8)	8.8 (22)	16.5 (42)	77.5 (197)

The weather at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore changes with the seasons. Summers are usually warm, with temperatures often reaching the 70s or 80s Fahrenheit (around 20s Celsius). Winters are cold and snowy, with temperatures often below freezing. Spring and fall offer milder weather, perfect for exploring.

Special Animals

The piping plover is a small bird that is a federally registered endangered species. This means it is very rare and needs special protection. These birds build their nests at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The park helps to protect them and their homes.