A Sleeping Bear Dunes vacation can lead you to many of the park’s attractions, area restaurants and miles of beaches and hiking trails.  So whether you only have an afternoon to tackle the park’s Greatest Hits, or if you’re spending a week in Leelanau County and have the time to investigate the Dunes with a fine-tooth comb, the following should help you figure out where to go during your Sleeping Bear Dunes vacation.


One Day, a Weekend, or a Week

Everybody’s on a schedule, so whether you’re traveling through the Sleeping Bear Dunes posthaste or nonchalantly, we’ve got travel suggestions for vacations of varying lengths:

Hotel, Cottage, or Camp?

Hotel options near the Sleeping Bear Dunes are somewhat limited; some hotels/motels/B&B’s near the Sleeping Bear Dunes are:

Find other Northern Michigan hotels and motels with MyNorth’s Hotel Directory.

Staying at a rented cottage or cabin near the Sleeping Bear Dunes is a great way to instill that Up North feel into your vacation.  Find the perfect cottage at MyNorth’s Cottage Rental Directory.

Lastly, camping at one of the the Sleeping Bear Dunes’ park-administered campgrounds is both economical and engaging.  Learn about all the Sleeping Bear Dunes camping options.

Sleeping Bear Dunes Vacation: Where to Eat and What to Do

While the environs of the Sleeping Bear Dunes are markedly rural and agricultural, there are some amazing restaurants and eateries in the towns near the park:

The Sleeping Bear Dunes is Heaven-on-Earth for outdoor enthusiasts.  Use the following links to learn more about the attractions, trails and beaches of the Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Beyond the Sleeping Bear Dunes

Wineries, shopping, lighthouses, festivals…there’s so much to discover in Northern Michigan beyond the Sleeping Bear Dunes:


More Sleeping Bear Dunes

Cornerstone: Sleeping Bear Dunes

Photo(s) by Kelly Hofman