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This is not a beach for sunworshipping, roller blading, hot dog stands, or surfing. This is a pristine area protected by the National Park Service. At 460 feet high, it has the world's largest perched dunes sitting atop high limestone bluffs which offer a popular launching pad for hang gliders. The dunes stretch for 7 miles and cover 4 square miles in area. Many people take the Dune Climb to view Lake Michigan, the shore, and the dunes. You can hike the dunes, canoe a stream, see an 1871 lighthouse, have a picnic, relax in the peacefulness or challenge yourself. When hiking the dunes, wear shoes, take water, and stay on the designated trails. Handicap accessible picnic areas with tables and grills are available on Picnic Mountain. The 7-mile Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive (open mid-Apr. to mid-Nov.) offers great views (be sure to have enough film). The two Manitou Islands are accessible by ferry May to Sept.

There are also a couple museums in the area, plus golf, fishing, and limited stakes gaming casinos nearby. Winters offer cross-country skiing. There are downhill skiing options with nearby Crystal Mountain, Mount Holiday, and Sugar Loaf. Sleeping Bear Dunes is 30 to 45 minutes from Traverse City, Michigan, on the Northwestern shore of Michigan's lower pennisula.