Located along the shores of Lake Michigan, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a treasure trove of natural beauty and outdoor adventure. Whether you’re seeking a hike, a scenic drive or a bike ride, this national park really does have something for every family.
To help your family navigate a trip to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, we’re outlining some of the best outdoor activities to take part in, including which are kid-friendly and highly-reviewed by families.
Visit our other Road Trip City Guides about Sleeping Bear Dunes. Learn what to expect on the Dune Climb, find out where to stay and what to eat and have fun in nearby towns around the dunes.
Best trails
1. Empire Bluff Trail
Difficulty: Moderately challenging
The Empire Bluff Trail is a 1.5-mile round trip hike that rewards visitors with breathtaking views of Lake Michigan. This moderately challenging trail winds through dense forests and rolling hills before culminating with an overlook atop Empire Bluff that your family will never forget.
Ideal for a short, yet rewarding, adventure, the Empire Bluff Trail offers a nice blend of natural beauty and tranquility. Most hikers complete the trail in about 60 to 90 minutes, but feel free to take your time.There is only one main trail here, but it offers a well-defined path with occasional side paths leading to additional scenic viewpoints.
Reviews from families
- Great 1.5-mile round trip hike with kids: “We have a 10 year old and 12 year old and they had no complaints (they generally don’t like hiking, especially long hikes). The trail is all shaded in the woods until you reach the cliff where you’re in the sun for the beautiful view of Lake Michigan. The trail has minor inclines and declines along the way but nothing too strenuous. Round trip the hiking took about 45 minutes plus the time we stopped to take in the view. A worthwhile hike!” – Viking2k5 via TripAdvisor
- Great views, easy hiking: “We stumbled upon this on accident on our trip to the dunes — it was great!! The hike was very easy. Glad we found this, the views were awesome!! Would love to go back without kids and go farther on the hike — as you go farther it’s high up with no rail between you and the cliff — wouldn’t take kids on that part of it.” – TaylorMade via TripAdvisor
2. Bass Lake Loop
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
This beautiful 2.3 mile trail circles picturesque Bass Lake. This easy-to-moderate loop takes hikers through a variety of habitats, including lush forests, wetlands and open meadows, offering diverse scenery and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Whether you’re seeking a leisurely walk or a peaceful place to connect with the outdoors, Bass Lake Loop is a delightful escape. Expect to spend 90 to 120 minutes on this trail.
There are several smaller loops and spur trails off the main loop that allow hikers to explore different sections of the lake and surrounding area. These additional loops range from .5 to 1 mile.
3. Sleeping Bear Point Trail
Difficulty: Longer but not as strenuous for younger kids as the Dune Climb
Sleeping Bear Point Trail is a 2.8-mile loop that showcases the unique beauty of the area’s diverse landscapes. This trail traverses rolling sand dunes, windswept beaches, and dense forest, offering hikers a variety of scenic experiences.
Sleeping Bear Point Trail is a must-visit for those seeking to immerse themselves in the natural splendor of the Great Lakes region. Hikers typically take two to 2.5 hours to complete this loop, so bring snacks for little ones!
The trail includes a few smaller loops and connecting paths that can extend or shorten the hike. One notable loop is a 1-mile extension that takes hikers closer to the shoreline, providing stunning views of the beach and lake. Note that in the spring and summer, pets are not allowed on this trail.
Reviews from families
- Amazing hike, beautiful: Amazing walk with breathtaking scenery. My 4 year old had a harder time with the sand and cold (35 deg and windy) but 6 year loved it. – schulze52 via TripAdvisor
- A Fabulous Landscape: “This loop trail traverses a varied dunal landscape as well as Black Spruce-Cedar lowlands. Traveling south one climbs into the severe and fragile environment of Sleeping Bear Point. Before heading upward a side trail goes to Lake Michigan. But, once the climb is made one gets a marvelous view of the Manitou Islands and the Manitou Passage … The variety that one encounters on this trail is rarely surpassed elsewhere in the National Lakeshore.” – Gerald W via TripAdvisor
Best Scenic Drive
1. Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive
Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive offers visitors a 7.4-mile route through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the region. This drive features 12 scenic overlooks that provide panoramic views of Lake Michigan, lush forests, and the iconic sand dunes.
There are several short walking loops at different overlooks along the drive. These loops range from 0.2 to 0.5 miles and allow visitors to explore the surrounding landscapes more intimately. For example, the Dune Overlook has a short loop that takes visitors up close to the towering sand dunes. There is a $25 charge per vehicle to enter the park.
Reviews from families
- Beautiful country at a leisurely 20 MPH: “It was very scenic with great overlooks of the dunes and lake Michigan. Excellent for family members of all ages. Cost is $25 per car but worth it.. Before you go make certain to pack a picnic lunch.” – traveler on TripAdvisor
- Fun Drive – Get out of the heat for a minute: “When it’s hot out this is a nice way to see the dunes without having to hike or bike all over. You drive through and there are multiple pull off stops, most with infrastructure (i.e. walkways, info panels, restrooms, etc.) You pull off the road and park and some of the stops you can walk out on boardwalks or walkways and see the top of the dunes, Glen Lake from really high up in the air, Lake MI, and other general overlooks … This is an essential stop for a SBD vacation. It was also nice to drive and get out of the sun from the dune climb, a lot of the drive is shaded and cool. Maybe do this after the dunes to cool down or if the weather is too hot and you want to just keep it breezy.” – shawn M on TripAdvisor
Best Bike Trail
1. Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail
Spanning over 22 miles, the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail is a multi-use pathway that wides through the heart of Sleeping Bear Dunes National lakeshore. The trail boasts forest, meadows and sand dunes. It’s the only bike trail in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
The time to complete the entire trail varies depending on the pace, but a typical bike ride might take two to four hours for a one-way trip.
There are several access points and shorter loops connected to the main trail. For instance, a popular 5-mile loop near Glen Arbor offers a more manageable ride with scenic views of the Crystal River and nearby meadows.
Reviews from families
- Easy multi-use trail through Sleeping Bear Dunes: “We rode 6.5 miles from Glen Arbor out past the Dune Climb and back for a 13 miles round trip bike ride on a recovery day. It’s not super easy to find the trailhead in Glen Arbor, but a fellow cyclist described it to us and we found it easily enough. It gets used a fair amount, and the riders are by and large beginners, with lots of family groups … This is a good place for beginner riders to get out and give it a shot, and many do.” — Pat B. via TripAdvisor
- Definite Destination: “The Sleeping Bear Dunes Heritage Trail is a Glen Arbor gem. The trail is kept immaculately, the views are beautiful, and the trail ambassadors are really helpful. I would recommend the trail from Glen Arbor to Glen Haven (2.5 miles) for families. It is a very easy, yet scenic ride through the forest and you end up at Glen Haven where there is a beach on Lake Michigan, the Cannery Museum, a general store, and blacksmith demonstrations. The more experienced riders should go from Glen Arbor to Empire, and beyond, where you will meet a VERY large hill that is not recommended for small kids!” — BellPepper68 via TripAdvisor
Be sure to check out our full Road Trip City Guide to Sleeping Bear Dunes to learn about: where to eat and stay, how to prep for your Dune Climb and how to town-hop nearby.
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