Attraction · Benzie & Sleeping Bear

The Dune Climb

A steep, open sand dune on M-109 in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, with a picnic area at its base and a hard trail over the dunes to Lake Michigan.

The Dune Climb is one steep slope of open sand beside M-109 that you climb as far as you like, with picnic tables under the trees at the bottom. It is short but strenuous, and you can turn around at any point, so it suits families and mixed groups.

You need a national park entrance pass, and the lot has accessible parking and restrooms. Wear shoes, since the sand gets hot, and walk, do not run, down the slope; tumbles cause injuries.

From the top you look back over Glen Lake. Lake Michigan, about 2 miles away, is out of sight from there.

Know the tradeoff before you go farther. The Dunes Trail to the lake is about 3.5 miles round trip over a series of steep dunes, out and back the same way. The sand is loose, the terrain is disorienting, and rangers make many searches each summer for groups who ran late. Agree on a plan before you set out, and carry water.

Back at the base you have restrooms, the Dune Center bookstore and the start of the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, which heads north toward Glen Haven and Glen Arbor.

Practical information

Managed by: National Park Service
Best months: May to October
Getting there: On the west side of M-109, about 5 miles north of Empire
Entrance pass: Sleeping Bear Dunes is a national park site, and every visitor needs a federal entrance pass. A Michigan Recreation Passport does not count. Passes are sold online through recreation.gov and at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center; the park does not take cash.
Accessibility: The park lists accessible parking spaces and accessible restrooms at the Dune Climb, and the Dune Center bookstore is accessible. The climb itself is open sand. Confirm details with the park if access matters to you.
What to bring: Water, and shoes: the sand gets hot and dune grass roots can poke bare feet. Take a map, and a compass if you leave the marked trail.
Dunes Trail to Lake Michigan: About 3.5 miles round trip over several steep dunes; the park estimates 3 to 4 hours. Bring water and stay on the blue-topped trail posts.
Facilities: Picnic area, restrooms with running water, drinking fountains and the Dune Center bookstore
Pets: Pets are not allowed on the Dune Climb Trail.
Official website: nps.gov

Location

Map of The Dune Climb

4 places on an OpenStreetMap map

Nearby towns

Rippled sand in the foreground meeting a wide expanse of dark blue water under a pale sky.

Benzie & Sleeping Bear · Small town

Glen Arbor

Your base for northern Sleeping Bear Dunes: a small town between Lake Michigan and Glen Lake, about 4 miles from the Dune Climb by trail.

About 3 miles away (straight line)

Also nearby

Straight-line distances, not driving distances.

Trail

Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail

A mostly paved trail of about 22 miles through Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, linking Empire, the Dune Climb, Glen Haven, Glen Arbor and Port Oneida.

Under a mile away (straight line)

Scenic drive

Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive

A 7.4-mile one-way loop in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore with 12 stops and overlooks of Lake Michigan, the Glen Lakes and the dunes.

About 2 miles away (straight line)

Beach

Glen Haven Beach

A Lake Michigan beach on Sleeping Bear Bay at Glen Haven Historic Village, with seasonal restrooms, picnic areas, the Cannery Boat Museum and loaner sand wheelchairs.

About 2 miles away (straight line)

Town guidePlan your Glen Arbor visitWhere to eat, where to stay, day plans and what is close by.