Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - wikipedia Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore IUCN category III ( natural monument or feature ) Aerial view of Sleeping Bear Dunes Show map of Michigan Show map of the US Show all Location Leelanau & Benzie counties, Michigan, US Nearest city Empire, Michigan Coordinates 44 ° 51 ′ N 86 ° 03 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 44.850 ° N 86.050 ° W ﻿ / 44.850 ; - 86.050 Coordinates : 44 ° 51 ′ N 86 ° 03 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 44.850 ° N 86.050 ° W ﻿ / 44.850 ; - 86.050 Area 71,187 acres ( 288.08 km ) Established October 21, 1970 ( 1970 - 10 - 21 ) Visitors 1,280,932 ( in 2010 ) Governing body National Park Service Website Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a United States National Lakeshore located along the northwest coast of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan in Leelanau and Benzie counties near Empire, Michigan. The park covers a 35 - mile - long ( 56 km ) stretch of Lake Michigan 's eastern coastline, as well as North and South Manitou islands. This Northern Michigan park was established primarily because of its outstanding natural features, including forests, beaches, dune formations, and ancient glacial phenomena. The lakeshore also contains many cultural features including the 1871 South Manitou Island Lighthouse, three former stations of the Coast Guard ( formerly the Life - Saving Service ) and an extensive rural historic farm district. In 2011, the area won the title of `` The Most Beautiful Place in America '' from Good Morning America. In 2014, a section of the park was named the Sleeping Bear Dunes Wilderness by the United States Congress. Contents 1 History 2 Historic sites 2.1 Glen Haven Village 2.2 Port Oneida Historic Farm District 3 Climate 4 Camping 4.1 D.H. Day Campground 4.2 Platte River Campground 4.3 Manitou Island campgrounds 4.4 Other camping areas nearby 5 Gallery 6 See also 7 Footnotes 8 External links History The park was authorized on October 21, 1970. The park 's creation was highly controversial because it involved the transfer of private property to public. The federal government 's stance at the time was that the Great Lakes were the `` third coast '' and had to be preserved much like Cape Hatteras or Big Sur, which are National Seashores. The residents living in what is now Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake shore believed they were stewards of the land and did not want it to be overrun by tourists. The government eventually won out in part by supporting the local schools to offset the lost property tax revenue and by adding North Manitou Island to be included in the park. The park is named after an Ojibwe legend of the sleeping bear. According to the legend, an enormous forest fire on the western shore of Lake Michigan drove a mother bear and her two cubs into the lake for shelter, determined to reach the opposite shore. After many miles of swimming, the two cubs lagged behind. When the mother bear reached the shore, she waited on the top of a high bluff. The exhausted cubs drowned in the lake, but the mother bear stayed and waited in hopes that her cubs would finally appear. Impressed by the mother bear 's determination and faith, the Great Spirit created two islands ( North and South Manitou islands ) to commemorate the cubs, and the winds buried the sleeping bear under the sands of the dunes where she waits to this day. The `` bear '' was a small tree - covered knoll at the top edge of the bluff that, from the water, had the appearance of a sleeping bear. Wind and erosion have caused the `` bear '' to be greatly reduced in size over the years. In 2014, 32,500 acres ( 13,200 ha ; 50.8 sq mi ) of the park were formally designated as the Sleeping Bear Dunes Wilderness by the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Conservation and Recreation Act. This was the first wilderness protection bill to be passed by the United States Congress in five years. Historic sites Glen Haven Village Main article : Glen Haven, Michigan Glen Haven existed as a company town from 1865 to 1931. Originally a dock for Glen Arbor ( 1855 - date ), the site soon became a fuel supply point for ships traveling up and down the lake. Here, Charles McCarty decided to open his own business and built a dock to supply the ships with wood. In 1863, McCarty built the Sleeping Bear House. It was expanded a few years later to accommodate travelers. In 1928, it was remodeled into the inn for summer vacationers. The General Store was established to supply the workers. Like most company towns, the workers were paid in company coupons, redeemable only at the company store. The Blacksmith Shop is where tools were repaired. In 1878, David Henry Day arrived in the community. By this time, coal from the Appalachian coal fields was replacing wood on the steamships. Day was looking for another future to this small community. Port Oneida historic farm district Main article : Port Oneida Rural Historic District In 1860, Port Oneida had a population of 87 people. Thomas Kelderhouse had built a dock to sell wood to the passing steamships. He was also able to sell fresh produce and maple sugar in season. A local story says that the name comes from the first ship to stop, the SS Oneida of New York State. The area covers 3,000 acres ( 12 km ) and includes 16 historic farms. The farming community was gradually abandoned due to hard farming conditions and declining timber sales. Climate hide Climate data for Traverse City, Michigan Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Average high ° F 29 29 37 54 64 75 81 78 71 60 44 33 55 Average low ° F 15 11 21 32 41 52 59 58 51 41 31 21 36 Average rainfall inches 1.9 1.5 1.8 2.3 2.8 2.5 2.8 2.7 2.8 2.7 1.8 28.6 Average snowfall inches 19.9 16.2 12.1 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.7 8.8 16.5 77.5 Average high ° C − 2 − 2 12 18 24 27 26 22 16 7 13 Average low ° C − 9 − 12 − 6 0 5 11 15 14 11 5 − 1 − 6 Average rainfall mm 48 38 46 58 71 64 71 69 80 71 69 46 726 Average snowfall cm 50.5 41.1 30.7 8 0.8 0 0 0 0 1.8 22.4 41.9 196.9 Source : Camping Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is one of Michigan 's most popular destinations for camping vacations, possibly the most popular. This popularity may be due to the fact it was named the `` Most Beautiful Place in America '' by Good Morning America in 2011. There are a few campgrounds in the national lakeshore and they are grouped into D.H. Day Campground, Platte River Campground, a few camping areas on the Manitou Islands within, and some other sites for backcountry or group camping. D.H. Day Campground D.H. Day Campground is part of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and offers a moderate level of privacy and a beach on Lake Michigan. Campsites are rustic, wooded, and more far apart than campsites at most campgrounds. Nearby points of interest include Empire Bluffs, the `` dune climb '', and North Bar Lake. It is extremely popular and does not accept reservations ; all sites are `` first - come, first - served. '' Because of the campground 's popularity it 's recommended that campers arrive early to obtain a first - come, first - served campsite during summer months. Campsites 1 - 31 allow the use of a generator, the remaining sites forbid generator use. Platte River Campground Platte River Campground is part of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and offers a variety of campsites, some of which are reservable and some of which are set aside as first - come first - served. Some campsites are modern ( with electrical hookups ), some are `` hike - in, '' and others are more rustic. Nearby points of interest include Platte River Point, the Platte River, and Big Platte Lake. The north section of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park is a short drive from Platte River Campground. Kayaking is a popular activity at the campground, especially the kayak trail leading from the campground to Platte River Point Manitou Island campgrounds Sleeping Bear Dunes also has three main campgrounds on South Manitou Island, including the Weather Station Campground located on the south side of the island, the Bay Campground on the west shore of the island and the Popple Campground on the north shore. Other camping areas nearby In addition to federal campgrounds within the national lakeshore itself, there are many other camping areas nearby, which cater to the large number of tourists visiting Sleeping Bear Dunes each year. There are at least 20 distinct camping areas in the region immediately surrounding Sleeping Bear Dunes. Gallery Looking south from Sleeping Bear Dunes toward Empire Bluffs and the southern portion of the National Lakeshore in Benzie County Historic D.H. Day Farm The lakeshore during winter View from Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive at Sunset View from Lake Michigan Overlook, with people climbing up the dunes See also Michigan portal Sand Dune Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive List of areas in the National Park System of the United States Footnotes Jump up ^ http://www.nps.gov/slbe/index.htm Jump up ^ Butch Street ( March 2011 ). `` Statistical Abstract 2010 '' ( PDF ). Natural Resource Data Series. National Park Service. p. 15. NPS / NRPC / SSD / NRDS -- 2011 / 147. Retrieved July 1, 2012. ^ Jump up to : Orso, Alberto & Parise, Sabrina ( August 17, 2011 ). `` Sleeping Bear Dunes Voted ' Most Beautiful Place in America ' ''. Good Morning America. ABC News. Retrieved September 21, 2014. Jump up ^ Kalt, Brian ( 2001 ). Sixties Sandstorm : The Fight Over Establishment of a Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, 1961 -- 1970. East Lansing : Michigan State University Press. ISBN 9780870135590. Jump up ^ Scheffel, Richard L. ; Wernet, Susan J., eds. ( 1980 ). Natural Wonders of the World. Pleasantville, NY : Reader 's Digest Association. p. 347. ISBN 0 - 89577 - 087 - 3. Jump up ^ Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore ( May 23, 2014 ). `` Dedicating Sleeping Bear Dunes Wilderness '' ( Press release ). National Park Service. Archived from the original on September 18, 2014. Retrieved September 18, 2014. Jump up ^ Ellison, Garret ( June 1, 2014 ). `` Sleeping Bear Dunes Dedicated as Federally Protected Wilderness ''. MLive. Booth Newspapers. Retrieved September 18, 2014. Jump up ^ Sleeping Dear Dunes National Lakeshore. `` Glen Haven Village Tour ''. The Cordwood Era ( Pamphlet ). Empire, MI : National Park Service. Jump up ^ Sleeping Dear Dunes National Lakeshore. Port Oneida Historic Farm District ( Pamphlet ). Empire, MI : National Park Service. Jump up ^ `` Historical Weather for Traverse City, Michigan ''. Weatherbase. Retrieved June 5, 2009. Jump up ^ 5 Most Popular Camping Spots in Michigan ( based on Google Traffic ) Campthat Jump up ^ `` D.H. Day Campground ''. National Park Service. Jump up ^ `` Platte River Campground ''. Campthat. Jump up ^ `` Weather Station Campground ''. Campthat. Jump up ^ `` The Bay Campground ''. Campthat. Jump up ^ `` The Popple Campground ''. Campthat. Jump up ^ `` Sleeping Bear Dunes Camping ''. CampHero. External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. National Park Service : Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore : Final General Management Plan, Wilderness Study Environmental Impact Statement Traverse City Convention and Visitors Bureau North Manitou Island Sleeping Bear Dunes Visitors Bureau The Sleeping Bear Organization Aerial Video of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore United States National Lakeshores, National Seashores, and National Rivers National Lakeshores Apostle Islands Indiana Dunes Pictured Rocks Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashores Assateague Island Canaveral Cape Cod Cape Hatteras Cape Lookout Cumberland Island Fire Island Gulf Islands Padre Island Point Reyes National Rivers Big South Fork Buffalo River Mississippi River New River Gorge Ozark National Scenic Riverways Protected areas of Michigan See also : Important Bird Areas of Michigan National Parks Isle Royale Keweenaw ( Historical ) River Raisin ( Battlefield ) Lakeshores Pictured Rocks Sleeping Bear Dunes Landmarks Au Sable State Forest Dukes Research Natural Area Grand Mere State Park Haven Hill State Natural Area Newton Woods Porcupine Mountains Roscommon Virgin Pine Stand Strangmoor Bog Tobico Marsh Toumey Woods Warren Woods State Park Waterloo State Recreation Area Forests Hiawatha Huron - Manistee Ottawa Wildlife Refuges Detroit River Harbor Island Huron Kirtlands Warbler Wildlife Management Area Michigan Islands Michigan Wetland Management District Seney Shiawassee Wild and Scenic Rivers Au Sable Bear Creek Black Carp Indian Manistee Ontonagon Paint Pere Marquette Pine Presque Isle Sturgeon ( Delta County ) Sturgeon ( Houghton County ) Tahquamenon Whitefish Yellow Dog Other Protected Areas Father Marquette National Memorial Grand Island National Recreation Area Saint Helena Island National Scenic Area Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary State Parks Algonac Aloha Baraga Belle Isle Bewabic Brimley Burt Lake Cambridge Junction Cheboygan Clear Lake Coldwater Lake Craig Lake Dodge No. 4 Duck Lake Fayette Fisherman 's Island Fort Michilimackinac Fort Wilkins Grand Haven Grand Mere Harrisville Hart - Montague Trail Hartwick Pines W.J. Hayes P.H. Hoeft P.J. Hoffmaster Holland Indian Lake Interlochen Kal - Haven Trail Lake Gogebic Lakelands Trail Lakeport Laughing Whitefish Falls Leelanau Ludington Mackinac Island Maybury F.J. McLain Charles Mears Meridian - Baseline Mill Creek Wm. Mitchell Muskallonge Lake Muskegon Negwegon Newaygo North Higgins Lake Onaway Orchard Beach Old Mission Otsego Lake Palms Book Petoskey Porcupine Mountains Port Crescent Sanilac Petroglyphs Saugatuck Dunes Seven Lakes Silver Lake Albert E. Sleeper Sleepy Hollow South Higgins Lake Wm. C. Sterling Straits Sturgeon Point Tahquamenon Falls Tawas Point Thompson 's Harbor Traverse City Twin Lakes Van Buren Van Buren Trail Van Riper Warren Dunes Warren Woods Watkins Lake and County Preserve J.W. Wells White Pine Trail Wilderness William G. Milliken Wilson Young Recreation Areas Bald Mountain Bass River Bay City Brighton Fort Custer Highland Holly Ionia Island Lake Lake Hudson Lime Island Menominee River Metamora - Hadley Ortonville Pinckney Pontiac Lake Proud Lake Rifle River Rockport Tippy Dam Waterloo W.C. Wetzel Yankee Springs Forests Au Sable Copper Country Escanaba River Lake Superior Mackinaw Pere Marquette Underwater Preserves Alger De Tour Passage Grand Traverse Bay Keweenaw Manitou Passage Marquette Sanilac Shores Southwest Michigan Straits of Mackinac Thumb Area Whitefish Point Other ( inc. game areas ) Agate Falls Scenic Site Allegan State Game Area Bond Falls Scenic Site Michigan Islands Wilderness Area Pointe Mouillee State Game Area Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center Wagner Falls Scenic Site Commons Detroit Grand Rapids Michigan Department of Natural Resources National Park Travelers Club Conventions 2003 : Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area 2004 : Rocky Mountain National Park 2005 : Mammoth Cave National Park 2006 : Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore 2007 : Olympic National Park 2008 : Lowell National Historical Park 2009 : Sequoia National Park 2010 : El Malpais National Monument 2011 : National Mall 2012 : Apostle Islands National Lakeshore 2013 : Shiloh National Military Park 2014 : Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park 2015 : Chamizal National Memorial 2016 ( planned ) : Independence National Historical Park Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sleeping_Bear_Dunes_National_Lakeshore&oldid=835514826 '' Categories : IUCN Category III Protected areas of Benzie County, Michigan Landmarks in Michigan Protected areas of Leelanau County, Michigan Tourism in Michigan Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Protected areas established in 1970 Important Bird Areas of Michigan Beaches of Michigan Landforms of Leelanau County, Michigan Landforms of Benzie County, Michigan Dunes of Michigan Hidden categories : Wikipedia articles needing page number citations from September 2014 Use mdy dates from September 2014 Coordinates on Wikidata Talk Contents About Wikipedia Wikivoyage Cebuano Deutsch Français Edit links This page was last edited on 9 April 2018, at 04 : 00 ( UTC ). Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: where is sleeping bear dunes national lakeshore located
Answer: along the northwest coast of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan in Leelanau and Benzie counties near Empire, Michigan