Free Admission at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is offering free admission on April 16 2022, First day of National Park Week. Visitors can enjoy the park’s more than 100 miles of trails, lakeshores, and beaches. There are also opportunities for recreation such as kayaking, fishing, and camping.

The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a popular tourist destination in Michigan, and one of the most popular national parks in the United States with plenty to offer visitors. This makes it a great destination for families and tourists on a budget. The park also has plenty of activities available, including hiking, biking, and fishing. For a fee, visitors can enjoy unlimited access to over 100 miles of trails, lakes, and beaches.

Free Admission Days at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Come and get Free Admission at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan. Experience the national parks! On five days in 2022, all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. Mark your calendar for these entrance fee–free dates in 2022:

January 17: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
April 16: First day of National Park Week
August 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
September 24: National Public Lands Day
November 11: Veterans Day

Fee waiver includes: entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees.

Other fees such as reservation, camping, tour, concession, and fees collected by third parties are not included unless stated otherwise.

Operating Hours & Seasons at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Seasonal Facilities and Services	Status	First Day	Last Day
Philip A Hart Visitor Center	Open	Year Round	Year Round
Glen Haven and Maritime Museums	Closed	Memorial Day*	Labor Day*
Glen Haven General Store	Closed	Memorial Day*	Labor Day*
Dune Center	Closed	Memorial Day*	Labor Day*
Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive to Vehicle Traffic	Closed	Mid-April*	Mid-Nov*
Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive to Foot Traffic	Open	Mid-Nov*	Mid-April*
Dune Climb	Open	Year Round	Year Round
South Manitou Island Lighthouse and Visitor Center	Closed	Memorial Day*	Labor Day*
Trails and Trailheads	Open	Year Round	Year Round

*Openings and closings are dependent on staffing, weather, and volunteer availability.

Campground Facilities	Status	First Day	Last Day
Platte River Campground Office	Closed	Memorial Day	Nov. 7th
Platte River Campground Sites 101-145, first come, first served	Open	Oct. 16th	April 30th
Platte River Campground Sites 101- 453, reservations required	Closed	May 1st	Oct. 15th
Platte River Campground Group Sites	Closed	May 1st	Oct. 15th
White Pine Backcountry Camp – first come, first served	Open	Year Round	Year Round
D.H. Day Campground Office	Closed	May 1st	Oct. 16th
D.H. Day Campground – spring, first come, first served	Closed	April 27th	May 1st
D.H. Day Campground – summer, reservations required	Closed	May 1st	Oct. 15th
D.H. Day Campground – fall, first come, first served	Closed	Oct.16th	Nov. 28th
D.H. Day Group Sites – summer, reservations required	Closed	May 1st	Oct. 15th
D.H. Day Group sites – first come, first served	Open	Oct. 16th	April 30th
North and South Manitou Island Sites, first come, first served	Closed	Memorial Day*	Labor Day*

*Openings and closings are dependent on staffing, weather, and volunteer availability.

Campgrounds

Future reservations can be made at Recreation.gov
Do you want to camp at Platte River Campground? Visit our Platte River Campground regulations webpage for more information.
Do you want to camp at D.H. Day Campground? Visit our D. H. Day Campground regulations webpage for more information.

Boating, fishing, & hunting – following Michigan State Regulations

For National Park Service specific regulations, please visit the Superintendent’s Compendium

See location information below for specific site details.

Philip A. Hart Visitor Center

The Philip A. Hart Visitor Center is located on M-72 just east of the intersection with M-22 in Empire, MI. You will find a wealth of information about the park and the natural and human history of the area. Park passes, brochures, and maps are available at the Information Desk. If you have questions, rangers and volunteers are available to assist you.

From the south (Detroit or Chicago areas): Take US-31, US-131, US-27 to M-115 & M-37, I-75 and M-72 North to Traverse City, then west on M-72 to the Village of Empire. You will see the visitor center as you enter Empire on your right. From the north (Michigan’s Upper Peninsula):take I-75 to Grayling and follow M-72 to Traverse City or take US-31 south to Traverse City, then go west on M-72 to the Village of Empire.

Active Exception Winter Hours Labor Day – Memorial Day

DESCRIPTION

Open all year except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Open 8:30 am to 4:00 pm Columbus Day until Memorial Day.

CLOSURES & SEASONAL EXCEPTIONS

Holidays

2022

New Year’s Day	January 1	Closed
Martin Luther King Jr. Day	January 16	9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Washington’s Birthday	February 20	9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Memorial Day	May 30	9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Independence Day	July 4	9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Labor Day	September 05	9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Columbus Day	October 10	9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Veterans Day	November 11	9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thanksgiving	November 24	Closed
Christmas Day	December 25	Closed

Assistive Listening Systems
Automated Entrance
Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
Bicycle – Rack
Braille
Captioned Media
Cellular Signal
Fire Extinguisher
First Aid Kit Available
Gifts/Souvenirs/Books
Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits
Information
Information – Maps Available
Information – Park Newspaper Available
Information – Ranger/Staff Member Present
Internet/WiFi Available
Parking – Auto
Parking – Boat Trailer
Parking – Bus/RV
Permits Issued
Picnic Table
Recycling
Restroom
Restroom – Accessible
Tactile Exhibit
Theater/Auditorium
Trash/Litter Receptacles
Water – Bottle-Filling Station
Water – Drinking/Potable
Wheelchair Accessible

EMAIL sleepingbearinfo@nps.gov

PHONE (231) 326-4700