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Sleeping Bear Dunes - panoramio📷 bogdanstepniak, CC BY 3.0
Editor's pick

Sleeping Bear Dunes

Empire, MI

Nature

Sand bluffs 450 feet above Lake Michigan. The Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive has the best overlooks.

Nearest town
Empire, MI
Category
Nature & parks
GPS
44.8826, -86.0417
Editor's pick
★

Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.

Good to know

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. Cold, short days in December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

Featured in these trip guides

Lake Michigan's dune coast – a view of the ocean from a hillPhoto by Jeff DeWitt on Unsplash
31
RV & family trips

Lake Michigan's dune coast

399 mi5 stops3 days

Nearby

Community Church of Fish Creek© Chris Rycroft · CC BY 2.0
History

Fish Creek

Fish Creek, WI
Peninsula State Park – Adventure Island and Little Strawberry Island (53918703633)© Chris Rycroft from Madison, Wisconsin, United States · CC BY 2.0
Nature

Peninsula State Park

Fish Creek, WI
Ludington State Park – Corispermum americanum close-up© Iainmwalker · CC BY 4.0
Nature

Ludington State Park

Ludington, MI
Editor's pick
Views

Tunnel of Trees (M-119)

Good Hart, MI

Campsites nearby

  • Indigo Bluffs RV ParkMotorhome stopover
    6 mi from Sleeping Bear Dunes
    Motorhomes
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Platte River CampgroundCampsite
    12 mi from Sleeping Bear Dunes
    TentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Leelanau Pines CampgroundMotorhome stopover
    15 mi from Sleeping Bear Dunes
    TentsMotorhomes
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Wild Cherry ResortMotorhome stopover
    20 mi from Sleeping Bear Dunes
    TentsMotorhomes
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Interlochen Duck Lake Modern CampgroundCampsite
    22 mi from Sleeping Bear Dunes · 392 pitches
    TentsCaravans
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Interlochen Duck Lake Modern CampgroundCampsite
    23 mi from Sleeping Bear Dunes · 392 pitches
    TentsCaravans
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip

All campsites in Michigan · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026

FAQs

Where is Sleeping Bear Dunes?

Sleeping Bear Dunes is in Empire, MI, at GPS 44.8826, -86.0417. It is about 22 mi from Traverse City.

Can you camp near Sleeping Bear Dunes?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is D.H. Day Campground, about 2 mi away; within 25 mi there are 36 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

Which road trips pass Sleeping Bear Dunes?

Sleeping Bear Dunes is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Lake Michigan's dune coast.

What is there to see near Sleeping Bear Dunes?

Places worth a stop nearby: Fish Creek (61 mi), Peninsula State Park (62 mi), Ludington State Park (63 mi) and Tunnel of Trees (M-119) (65 mi).

When is the best time to visit Sleeping Bear Dunes?

The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)