SLEEPING BEAR DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE, MICHIGAN
A Chippewa Indian legend named Sleeping Bear Dunes, for a large dune on shore as a mother bear waiting and watching for her two cubs to swim ashore. The two islands of North and South Manitou Islands represent the cubs that did not make it to shore after all had been forced into Lake Michigan by a forest fire.
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.
Best Western Scenic Hill Resort (17 miles) 
1400 Highway 31, Beulah, MI
Great Wolf Lodge (23 miles)
3575 North U.S. Highway 31 South, Traverse City, MI
Courtyard By Marriott (23 miles)
3615 West South Airport Road, Traverse City, MI
Park Place Hotel (23 miles)
300 East State Street, Traverse City, MI
Fairfield Inn By Marriott (23 miles)
3701 North Country Drive, Traverse City, MI
Baymont Inn & Suites (23 miles)
2326 North U.S. Highway 31 South, Traverse City, MI
Holiday Inn (23 miles)
615 East Front Street, Traverse City, MI
Super 8 Motel (24 miles)
1870 U.S. Highway 31 North, Traverse City, MI
Bayshore Resort (24 miles)
833 East Front Street, Traverse City, MI
Sugar Beach Resort Hotel (25 miles)
1773 North U.S. Highway 31, Traverse City, MI
Best Western Four Seasons (25 miles)
305 Munson Avenue, Traverse City, MI
Howard Johnson Of Traverse City (25 miles)
417 Munson Avenue, Traverse City, MI
Days Inn (25 miles)
420 Munson Avenue, Traverse City, MI
Comfort Inn (25 miles)
460 Munson Avenue, Traverse City, MI
Traverse Victorian Inn (25 miles)
461 North Munson Street U.S. Highway 31, Traverse City, MI
Econo Lodge (25 miles)
1065 S.r. 37 South, Traverse City, MI
Travelodge (25 miles)
704 Munson Avenue, Traverse City, MI
Hampton Inn (26 miles)
1000 U.S. Highway 31 North, Traverse City, MI
Crystal Mountain Resort (26 miles)
12500 Crystal Mountain Drive, Thompsonville, MI
Quality Inn By The Bay (27 miles)
1492 U.S. Highway 31 North, Traverse City, MI
Americinn Motel and Suites (27 miles)
1614 U.S. Highway 31 North, Traverse City, MI
The Beach Condominiums (27 miles)
1995 U.S. Highway 31 North, Traverse City, MI
Tamarack Lodge (27 miles)
2035 U.S. Highway 31 N at Four Mile Road, Traverse City, MI
Pointes North Inn (27 miles)
2211 U.S. Highway 31 North, Traverse City, MI
Cherry Tree Inn and Suites (27 miles)
2345 US 31 North, Traverse City, MI
Grand Traverse Resort (28 miles)
100 Grand Traverse Village Boulevard P.O. Box 404, Acme, MI
Sleep Inn (28 miles)
5520 U.S. Highway 31 North, Acme, MI
Holiday Inn Express (29 miles)
3536 Mount Hope Road P.O. Box 177, Acme, MI
Budget Host Alpine Motor Lodge (38 miles)
8127 U.S. Highway 31, Onekama, MI
Microtel Inn and Suites (45 miles)
266 East Parkdale Avenue, Manistee, MI
Days Inn (48 miles)
1462 Manistee Highway, Manistee, MI
Weathervane Terrace Hotel (48 miles)
111 Pine River Lane, Charlevoix, MI
Pointes North Inn (48 miles)
101 Michigan Avenue, Charlevoix, MI
Lodge Motel (48 miles)
120 Michigan Avenue, Charlevoix, MI
Charlevoix Inn & Suites (49 miles)
800 Petoskey Avenue, Charlevoix, MI
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