Stretching along the northwest coast of Michigan's lower peninsula, massive sand dunes rise above Lake Michigan. Protected as a National Lakeshore since 1970, these dunes attest to both the erosive force of the Pleistocene glaciers and the powerful storms that have regularly lashed the region since those ice sheets retreated. While lakeshore "beach dunes" are modest in size, those atop the cliffs, known as "perched dunes" and composed of glacial sand, tower up to 450 feet above the waters of Lake Michigan and encompass a broad swath of shifting landscape. Bordered by a rich beech-maple forest, the dunes are temporarily stabilized by beach grasses, wildflowers, sand-tolerant shrubs and groves of cottonwood but, over time, are sculpted and advanced by the relentless wind, swallowing tracts of forest that lie in their path.
A Visitor Center, located in Empire, offers an introduction to the natural history of this fascinating ecosystem and provides an overview of the plants and animals that inhabit the dunes and adjacent forest. In addition, an auto tour road provides access to a host of overlooks, several of which yield spectacular views of the dunes, Lake Michigan and offshore islands. Those with the time and ability to do so are encouraged to hike at least one of the trails that lead into this beautiful yet harsh environment; trudging through the sand, especially when accompanied by intense sunshine and a strong wind, makes one appreciate the true nature of this unforgiving landscape.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is located about 28 miles west of Traverse City, Michigan and is best reached via Michigan Highway 72. Its name is derived from a prominent dune that, topped by a clump of shrubs, resembled a sleeping bear in the eyes of Native American residents. While modern visitors might not appreciate that visual interpretation, they are sure to agree that this scenic coastline is one of the most spectacular sites in North America.
