Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore was established in 1970 to protect unique natural features such as glacial and dune formations and was named as the Most Beautiful Place in America by Good Morning America in 2011. The 35-mile lakeshore spans Lake Michigan’s eastern coastline and includes nearby North and South Manitou Islands, showcasing 450-foot bluffs, lush forested regions, inland lakes, and a wide variety of native Michigan flora and fauna.

Popular outdoor activities include coastal swimming, sunbathing, hiking, fishing, and kayaking at sites such as Loon Lake and the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail. A variety of cultural attractions also abound, including the 1871 South Manitou Island Lighthouse, three preserved historic United States Life-Saving Service stations, the Port Oneida Rural Historic District, and the Sleeping Bear Point Maritime Museum.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, 9922 Front Street, Empire, Michigan 49630, Phone: 231-326-4700

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