Traverse City Travel Blog

It's no secret The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is known for its year-round beauty. And when autumn arrives, the scenery is even further enhanced by nature's color palette. 

With 35 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore offers many places to sunbathe, beach walk, rock pick, build sand castles and play in the waves. The entire lakeshore is open to swimming, but be aware of your surroundings, because there are no lifeguards on duty in the park, and rip currents can be present along these pristine beaches.

Spring in northern Michigan may be slow to arrive this year, but that doesn't stop us from thinking about the colorful times ahead of us at the Sleeping Bear Dunes. The first signs of the season appear at the park when the snow melts and the dominant colors fall into an earthy palette. Think beige, taupe, brown and steely blue. The landscape itself hasn’t yet awoken, but Lake Michigan’s views sparkle regardless.

Did you know you can hike at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park in the winter? Snowshoeing and cross country skiing are options, too! The scenery (and the serenity) of this season give the park a whole new meaning.