Sleeping Bear Routes

Park Information

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

🚨 Emergency Contacts

📞 (231) 334-3710 — Ranger Station 📞 (231) 326-4700 — Park Headquarters

Visitor Center

🏛

Philip A. Hart Visitor Center Empire, Michigan — Open 7 days a week, year-round.
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Hours vary by season. Current Conditions →

📞

Visitor Center Direct Line (231) 326-4700 ext. 5010

Seasonal Access

🚗

Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive Open late spring through late fall.

🏖

Dune Climb Open daily, year-round.

🌲

Hiking Trails & Most Park Areas Open year-round. Hours for specific facilities may vary seasonally.

Entrance Fees & Passes

ℹ️

When a Pass is Required No fee to drive through on county or state roads. A pass is required if you stop to swim, hike, ski, or use park lands. The vehicle pass covers all passengers. Additional fees apply for camping and backcountry backpacking.

💵

Where to Purchase Year-round at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center.

Seasonally at: Platte River Campground, Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, Dune Climb, and D.H. Day Campground.

Weekly passes also available by scanning QR codes at select trailheads and beach access points. Fees & Passes →

Contact Numbers

📞

Park Headquarters(231) 326-4700

📞

Philip A. Hart Visitor Center(231) 326-4700 ext. 5010

📞

D.H. Day Campground(231) 326-4700 ext. 5035

📞

Platte River Campground(231) 326-4700 ext. 5029

📞

Ranger Station(231) 334-3710

Nearby Towns

Empire

Gateway to the park. Visitor center, gas, convenience store, restaurants.

Visit Empire →

Glen Arbor

Shops, restaurants, lodging. Close to Dune Climb and Heritage Trail.

Visit Glen Arbor →

Frankfort

Full services — grocery, gas, lodging, medical. ~15 miles south of Empire.

Visit Frankfort →

Traverse City

Nearest city. Full services, hospital, airport. ~30 miles east of the park.

Visit Traverse City →

Official Website

🌐

National Park Service nps.gov/slbe →