Hike-in Required
No
Open Year-round
Yes
ADA accessible
No
Guided tours
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Would you like to climb a sand dune in the Midwest? The Dune Climb in Michigan’s Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore gives you the opportunity to do just that. The Dune Climb is about 28-mile drive from Traverse City; the parking area for the Dune Climb is located on the west side of highway M-109 and just north of Pierce Stocking Scenic Road. Near the large parking lot there is a visitor center with a bookstore, modern restrooms, a picnic area, and a playground. There is a fee to enter Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore; in 2021 the cost of a 7-day vehicle pass was $25.

From the parking lot it is about a 150-foot climb to reach the top of the dune. The top of the dune provides a nice view of Glen Lake. Dogs are not allowed on the Dune Climb. For those looking for a longer adventure, visitors can take the Dune trail all the way to Lake Michigan. This is a 3.5 mile out-and-back hike. This can be a strenuous hike given the loose sand and elevation changes, so be prepared with plenty of water and proper footwear.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

High

Parking Pass

National Park Pass

Pros

Fun climb to the top of a sand dune.

Cons

Can be crowded.

Pets allowed

Not Allowed

Features

Sand Dunes
Family friendly
Flushing toilets
Picnic tables
Potable water
Near lake or river
Big vistas

Location

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