• Distance: 2.8 miles (round trip)

• Terrain: Strenuous, hilly, all sand, no shade

• Vegetation: Dunes, dune plants, and ghost forest

• Trailhead: A vault toilet is available at the trailhead.

• Pets: Pets are NOT allowed between April 15 and August 15.

Comments:
This trail leads onto the dunes, through a ghost forest, and overlooks Lake Michigan. Blue-tipped posts mark the trail. For a shorter option, a spur leads to Sleeping Bear Point from where you can follow the beach back to the Maritime Museum and trailhead. Plan ahead. Take water, sunscreen, a hat, shoes, and a snack.

While about 75% of hikers hike the trail loop counterclockwise, many say going clockwise is a somewhat less strenuous path and saves the views for last! About 1/3 mile (.5 km) from the trailhead, going counterclockwise, there is a half-mile (0.8 km) spur trail that goes to Lake Michigan.

Fees: A National Park Pass is required. Various options are available and can be purchased online or at the Visitors Center in Empire.

Location: End of Sleeping Bear Dunes Rd off of M-209, west of the Maritime Museum in Glen Haven.