Traverse City; Sleeping Bear Dunes

About

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, just west of Traverse City, is one of Michigan's most breathtaking natural destinations. Massive sand dunes rise hundreds of feet above Lake Michigan, offering sweeping views of crystal-clear water, forested islands, and rolling hills. It's a place that stops you in your tracks.

The park spans over 70,000 acres along 35 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. Visitors can explore towering bluffs, quiet beaches, dense hardwood forests, and scenic overlooks. The famous Dune Climb draws crowds, but there's far more to discover here. The Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive winds through the park with several overlooks, including the iconic spot where dunes meet the lake far below. It's one of the most photographed views in the Midwest.

The Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail is a standout feature for accessible recreation. This paved, multi-use trail stretches 27 miles through the park and connects to surrounding communities. It's smooth, well-maintained, and suitable for wheelchairs, handcycles, and strollers. The trail passes through forests, meadows, and offers views of Glen Lake and the dunes themselves.

Traverse City, about 25 miles east, serves as the perfect home base. The town is known for its cherry orchards, award-winning wineries, craft breweries, and a vibrant downtown filled with shops and restaurants. Front Street runs along Grand Traverse Bay, and many businesses are accessible at street level. Summer brings festivals, farmers markets, and long golden evenings by the water.

Visitors often combine a day at the dunes with wine tasting on the Old Mission or Leelanau peninsulas. Local outfitters and tour operators can help plan trips suited to different ability levels. Whether you're watching a sunset from the bluffs or rolling along the Heritage Trail with the smell of pine in the air, Sleeping Bear Dunes delivers a powerful connection to the Great Lakes wilderness.

Accessibility

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore offers several specific accessibility features for visitors with mobility needs. Sand wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis, allowing visitors to experience the beach and dune areas up close. Track wheelchairs, designed for rougher terrain, are also available by reservation for those wanting more adventurous access to the dunes.

The Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail provides 27 miles of paved surface, making it one of the longest accessible trails in any national park. The trail is wide, smooth, and suitable for manual and power wheelchairs, with gentle grades throughout most sections.

The Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is a paved, 7.4-mile loop road with several overlooks. Many of these overlook areas have paved or hard-packed surfaces, though some viewing platforms may involve short gravel paths. The Philip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire has accessible entrances, restrooms, and exhibits.

Accessible parking is available at major trailheads, overlooks, and beach access points throughout the park. Accessible restrooms are located at the visitor center and at several developed areas within the park.

Traverse City's downtown is generally flat along Front Street, with curb cuts and sidewalk access to most shops and restaurants. Many hotels in the area offer ADA-compliant rooms.

For the most current information on sand wheelchair availability, trail conditions, and specific facility access, contact the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center at (231) 326-4700 or visit the park's official accessibility page on nps.gov.

More accessible places in Michigan

• Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit)
• Michigan Science Center (Detroit)
• Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (Empire)
• The Henry Ford (Dearborn)
• Tahquamenon Falls State Park (Upper Peninsula)
• Flint Institute of Arts (Flint)