National Park Service 2013 Visitor Guide U.S. Department of the Interior Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Photo: Mark Lindsay Camping 7 Beaches 16 Junior Rangers 20 Listening Assistance Available Welcome to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park Entrance Passes What’s Inside Do you have trouble hearing information It is my pleasure to offer put new roofs on historic buildings, combat invasive A park entrance pass is required whenever and wherever you venture into Sleeping Bear Dunes National at ranger programs Superintendent's Welcome ............ 2 you this guide in hopes species, or remove hazardous trees, to name a few. Lakeshore and must be displayed on the driver’s side of your vehicle windshield or dashboard. When you because of compet- that it helps you plan your Private funds continue to bolster activities in the park outside the Lakeshore boundary and enter on foot or bicycle, carry your pass. Purchase a pass year ing sounds? Park Passes ....................................... 3 best visit ever. Whether it Lakeshore, too. Last year, the first section of the round at the visitor center or Platte Point fee machine; or seasonally during regular hours of operation at is your first time or your Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail was opened between campground offices, Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, Dune Climb, or at Leland Harbor. Seven-day passes may Try out the FM wire- Make the Most of Your Visit........... 4 less listening system tenth time, there is al- the Dune Climb and Glen Arbor, and has welcomed also be purchased Memorial Day to Labor Day at the self-pay fee canisters at the Maritime Museum and at available for your use Bear Safety ....................................... 6 ways something new and new activity year-round! Volunteers from the Friends road-end beaches: Peterson, Esch, North Bar Lake, County Road 669, and County Road 651. in the Lakeshore. The exciting to experience or of Sleeping Bear Dunes patrol, clean, maintain, and equipment amplifies Firewood Alert ................................ 6 explore. even groom for cross-country skiing four miles of our $10 Seven-day Pass for Sleeping Bear $5 Individual Seven-day Pass for Sleeping Bear the sound of a rang- very first bike trail in the park. This fall, work should Camping ........................................... 7 Dunes NL Dunes NL er’s voice, which you Last year, the Lakeshore hosted more visitors than begin on the next section of trail from the Dune Admits pass holder and all passengers in a Admits one individual (age 16 and up) on foot, hear through a headset, neck loop, or earbuds. ever before –1,531,560; a 22% increase from 2011! Climb south to Empire. Thanks to everyone who Platte River District Info .................. 8 noncommercial vehicle. Nontransferable and bicycle, motorcycle, or noncommercial bus. Use the wireless system for a ranger-led hike or Much of that, we believe, was a result of great has contributed to this successful effort and for the valid for 1-7 days. Nontransferable and valid for 1-7 days. evening program, or at the visitor center weather and publicity spurred on by ABC’s “Good Leelanau District Info .................... 10 amazing gift you have provided the community and in Empire, the campground offices, or the Morning America” naming Sleeping Bear Dunes Free admission for children 15 and under our visitors! We look forward to the continuation of Access Pass for National Parks and General Store in Glen Haven. A listening system Glen Haven .................................... 12 National Lakeshore the “Most Beautiful Place in Federal Recreational Lands the 27 miles of trail through the Lakeshore. is also available for the America,” National Geographic publications, and the $20 Annual Pass for Sleeping Bear Free lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent Dunes NL multimedia program at Maritime Museum ......................... 13 attention given to the Traverse City area as a place In addition to the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes, residents with permanent disabilities. Documenta- Admits pass holder and all passengers in a the visitor center. for family fun, food, and festivals. Unfortunately, other partner groups also help us achieve the NPS tion is required. Provides access to Federal rec- Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive ......... 14 noncommercial vehicle. May be purchased online Visitors wishing to use National Park Service budgets are not based on mission to preserve, protect, and provide enjoyment reation sites and admits pass holder and all pas- at www.pay.gov by entering “Sleeping Bear” in the equipment are popularity or total visitation. This year’s budget was of this treasured place. Preserve Historic Sleeping sengers in a noncommercial vehicle. May provide Manitou Islands Info ..................... 15 the search box. Valid for one year from month encouraged to call ahead cut along with every other federal agency due to Bear raises funds to repair historic buildings and a 50-percent discount on recreational fees such of purchase. and arrive early. Beaches .......................................... 16 mandatory reductions. These across-the-board landscapes every year. The Manitou Islands Memo- as camping and tours. Can be obtained in person budget cuts are affecting federal programs every- rial Society works tirelessly to tell the stories of the $10 Senior Pass for National Parks or through the mail for a $10 processing fee. For Special Events ................................ 19 where, as you may have already noticed in your own people who once lived on the islands and contrib- and Federal Recreational Lands more information, visit http://store.usgs.gov/pass/ communities. Here, at the Lakeshore, you may feel uted to those unique features of this park. There are Lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent resi- index.html. Acceptable documentation includes a Pets in the Park .............................. 20 the effects in some visitor services. We were left with also the park volunteers who are campground hosts, dents age 62 or over. One-time fee provides access statement by a licensed physician, or a document Local Information the difficult decision to reduce our seasonal work- interpreters, beach cleaners, piping plover monitors, to Federal recreation sites. Admits pass holder and issued by Veteran’s Administration, Social Security Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore force during the shoulder seasons to ensure cover- and dune grass planters who work side-by-side with all passengers in a noncommercial vehicle. May Administration or a state agency. 231-326-5134 age throughout our busiest time of the year from Lakeshore staff to meet these management goals. provide a 50-percent discount on recreational fees www.nps.gov/slbe Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Memorial Day to Labor Day. Although the Lakeshore Without partnerships and volunteers, as well as our such as camping and tours. Can be obtained in Visitor Guide is produced and designed is affected by these cuts, the park remains open, hardworking employees, we would not be “the Most person or through the mail. For more information, Benzie County Chamber of Commerce annually by Sleeping Bear Dunes National welcoming visitors while protecting its vast natural, Beautiful Place in America.” Thousands of people visit http://store.usgs.gov/pass/index.html. Academic School Groups 231-882-5801 Lakeshore, Division of Interpretation & Visitor cultural and recreational resources. Please accept our each year contribute their time, energy, and talents An educational fee waiver is available for bona www.benzie.org Services. $80 Annual Pass for National Parks apologies for any inconveniences you may experience. to making Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore fide educational groups that meet fee waiver and Federal Recreational Lands Empire Chamber of Commerce Special thanks to photographers Kerry Kelly, so special. requirements and apply prior to their visit. Provides access to all Federal recreation sites for a www.empirechamber.com Dennis Yockers, Alice Van Zoeren, Nicole The good news is that many projects funded by the Call 231-326-5135 x 320, or visit the website: Macdonald, and Mark Lindsay. Please enjoy your visit. Be safe. Come back soon! year from month of purchase. Admits pass holder fees we collect here at the Lakeshore will be com- www.nps.gov/slbe. Frankfort Chamber of Commerce and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore pleted. Without your support through entrance and www.frankfort-elberta.com With warm regards, Can be obtained in person or through the mail for Visitor Guide is published by Eastern National, camping fees, we would not be able to continue 231-352-7251 preservation of the South Manitou Island Lighthouse, a $10 processing fee. For more information, visit Commercial Vehicle Fees a private, non-profit organization which oper- Dusty Shultz, Superintendent http://store.usgs.gov/pass/index.html. Glen Lake Chamber of Commerce ates the sales outlets that offer quality educa- Vehicle Capacity Fee 231-334-3238 tional products and services for park visitors Sedans 1-6 $25* Philip Hart Visitor Center Free Annual Pass for U.S. Military www.visitglenarbor.com at the General Store, Dune Center, and visitor Available to U.S. military members and depen- Van 7-15 $40 center. A portion of their proceeds is donated Open year-round. Let park rangers help you imôä dents in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Minibus 16-25 $40 Leelanau Chamber of Commerce to the Lakeshore to support interpretive and plan your visit. Purchase a park pass here. 231-271-9895 Coast Guard, and also Reserve and National Guard Motorcoach 26+ $100 educational programs. For more information, Assistive listening devices are available. Exhibits Members. Must be obtained in person at a Federal www.leelanauchamber.com call 231-326-5135 ext. 329 or visit www. provide information on geology, ecology, and *Sedans–$25 commercial fee plus $5 per recreation site by showing a Common Access Card easternnational.org. human stories. Dreams of the Sleeping Bear, person fee for each passenger Sleeping Bear Dunes Visitors Bureau (CAC) or Military ID (Form 1173).