6:15am Empire Bluff Trail, which is one of the parks most spectacular -- and popular -- summer hiking routes, is also a great spot in the winter, Bauman says. Cozy cafes and restaurants: Frankenmuth has several cafes and restaurants that offer cozy indoor seating and delicious food. We encourage visitors to take advantage of self-guided activities: Our complete winter guide has all the information youll need in order to make long-lasting memories in Michigans best-kept secret: Sleeping Bear Dunes. The Ashininaabek used the Mother Bear as a landmark and tell a story about how she came to be . Most roads and parking lots are snow-covered but the sun is out and the streets are quickly clearing. Your browser is not supported for this experience.We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. Luckily, snow is easier than sand when it comes to hiking, so youre able to enjoy yourself even more. The Sleeping Bear Dunes region provides a number of options for campers. A Metro Detroit Indoor Water Park is the Best Cure, 2023 New: What To Do When its Raining in Metro Detroit. Arrive anytime between 6pm and 7:30pm to enjoy . Snowshoeing: There are several parks and nature preserves in the area that offer snowshoeing trails. You dont have to do the whole thing, she says -- even just a portion can provide a great outing. Most of the trail is groomed in the winter with a corduroy base for skate skiing, snowshoeing, and classic tracks on the outside for classic cross-country skiing. Home | Site Map, For more information about the organizatione-mail: info@friendsofsleepingbear.org, Learn About the Park: Sleeping Bear Dunes has a lot to offer, whatever your interests. Snowmobiling: For couples looking for a little more adventure, snowmobiling is a popular activity in the area. This is the most well-known hiking trail in the entire park, and its a badge of honor for anyone who completes it. Come winter, the landmark thats arguably the most well-known spot in the park -- a giant and seemingly endless mountain of sand that kids love to climb and tumble down -- becomes the ultimate sledding hill. Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail. Couples can bring their cameras and capture the snowy scenery, including the frozen Lake Michigan. Relax at a spa: Several spas on the island offer couples massages and other relaxing treatments. Yesterday, areas across the Lakeshore received 3-6 inches of snow. The wildlife in northern Michigan is at its peak in the dunes, which are home to over 50 species of mammals. Other people were hiking through the woods trying to avoid the trail altogether. Trails include Old Indian Trail, Platte Plains, Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, Windy Moraine, Alligator Hill, and Bay View Trail. New 2023 Easter Egg Hunts & Events in Metro Detroit by Date, 20+ Michigan Indoor Waterparks, Metro Detroit Waterparks & Beyond, 7 Unique Things to Do in Detroit this Weekend, Easter Egg Hunts & Events in Metro Detroit New by City, Leaving your Kids Home Alone Includes Michigan Law, How To: Install a Car Seat in an Extended Cab Truck, Biggest Guide to Birthday Party Ideas in Metro Detroit. This mile-and-a-half out-and-back trail has amazing views of snowy trees, open fields, and of course plenty of cliff-side water views. And you can get out to the end of that trail and of course its breathtaking., RELATED: This hidden trail is one of the best hikes in Michigan, Eight tiny deer Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore #sleepingbeardunes #puremichigan #empiremichigan #m22, A post shared by David Marks (@dmarksupnorth) on Dec 22, 2019 at 9:36am PST. The Park is open seven days a week with the exception of some holidays. Voted the Midwest's "Number One Nature Escape for Families" by the readers of Disney's Family Fun Magazine, the Sleeping Bear Dunes are an ideal family vacation destination. Horse-drawn carriage rides: Frankenmuth offers horse-drawn carriage rides through the town, which provide a romantic way to see the sights and take in the Bavarian architecture. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is pleased to announce that they will be recruiting additional winter interns for the 2021/2022 season to assist with snowshoe field trips, weekend hikes, and virtual distance learning programs. Here you can find all info on domestic travel insurance for your trip. With about 100 miles of trails, there is no shortage of treks for you to explore this season. She loves trying to find places that people havent been before and loves writing about those places even more. Sleds, snowboards, toboggans, saucers, and just about any other speed-inducing sled are permitted at the Dune Climb. For the best restaurants in Sleeping Bear Dunes, click here. Here are my favorite places to camp in Southern California during Fall and Winter: 1. The newest section of trail from Port Oneida Road to Bohemian Road (CR-669) is open for skiing but is not groomed. Of course, many people first come to love Sleeping Bear Dunes as a summertime destination. RELATED:This Sleeping Bear Dunes scenic route is one of the most spectacular in the U.S. RELATED: Sleeping Bear Dunes announces winter snowshoe hike dates. Spa day: There are several spas in Traverse City that offer couples massages, facials, as well as other relaxing treatments. Everything you need to know to plan your camping trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes. The sand underneath can be unstable and the snow cover can add to the instability, causing an avalanche. Todaywe groomed from Glen Haven to Glen Arbor. Couples can rent equipment and spend a day ice fishing together. Within a 20 mile radius of Sleeping Bear Resort are four ski resorts, nine cross country ski & snowshoe trails, two snow tubing destinations and over 135 miles of groomed snowmobile trails. Note, Pets are not allowed on designated cross-country ski trails from December 1 March 31. . As one of the most popular winter activities in our state, ice fishing is always a great option when visiting the great lakes. Not only will soft conditions make biking an incredibly strenuous workout for you, but it also damages the groomed trails by leaving grooves on the paths. Frankenmuth is a charming Bavarian-themed town in Michigan that offers plenty of activities for couples during the winter months. There is free wifi where you can check on the weather, and accessible restrooms and a souvenir shop. With an abundance of winter sports, stunning natural landscapes, and fun activities for the whole family, Sleeping Bear Dunes should top your bucket list as one of the most beautiful and memorable places in the Midwest, especially during wintertime. Good covering of snow EXCEPT near Glen Haven, where the wind has blown some of the snow off. Before you go, make sure your tires are at least 3.7 wide, your tire pressure is under 8 psi, and the weather conditions are suitable for biking on the trails. Park rangers say Bring on the snow! so visitors can begin to explore Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on snowshoes this winter! Not only will you experience perfect terrain for a day of skiing, but this activity is a great way to get some outdoor exercise too! Here's how to explore the park as a family. The SBHT is groomed by the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes. The Heritage Trail is a groomed trail that is perfect for a skier of any skill level, and its a great time no matter how many times youve been. From the top of the first dune, you have impressive views of Glen Lake. Couples can enjoy browsing the shops and finding one-of-a-kind treasures. Credits: Wikimedia Commons Sleeping Bear Dunes Weather 49630, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Zehnders Snowfest: Every January, Frankenmuth hosts the Zehnders Snowfest, a winter festival that includes snow and ice sculpting competitions, live music, food, and more. The name derives from an Ojibwa Indian legend in which a mother bear and two cubs swam across the lake from Wisconsin to escape a forest fire; the cubs drowned and . Winter photography: The winter landscape at Sleeping Bear Dunes offers stunning photo opportunities. It now has 2-3 of additional, soft powder on top. I was hopeful that the @sleepingbearnps had closer the scenic drive, because its such a nice snowy hike, so I was delighted to see the blaze pink ROAD CLOSED sign upon my arrival. The lakeshore is also known as the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park and it's been part of the park system since 1970. Be sure to stop by the visitor center to grab any trail maps you need. Best Self-Guided Tours in Japan: 10 Amazing Tours For 2023, Airbnb in Clifton, Cape Town: 11 great places to stay in 2023, What are the best Airbnbs in Tokyo? Ice skating: Traverse City has several outdoor ice skating rinks, including one in the towns downtown area. Would you like to volunteer to help out on the trails? Then all of Palmer Woods. Best tips for your Sleeping Bear Dunes trip. Lake effect squalls blew through yesterday (and all day today), so I waited for the snow to stack up and then left for some photo opportunities. However, we recommend that you use a compass if you are going to deviate from the hiking trails. Explore the Shore Trust me, your kids will not want the day to end! Couples can bring their cameras and capture the snowy scenery, including the frozen Lake Michigan. The Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail winds through the forest with views of 19 th century farmsteads. You can always count on Platte Plains Trail, Good Harbor Bay, and Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, remember you dont have to do the whole Heritage trail in one go, for an easy route at a reasonable distance. There youll also find information on trail etiquette from rangers that ask visitors to walk on the side of the freshly groomed trails and to not allow dogs on the paths. Guided Snowshoe Hikes Ice fishing in compliance with State of regulations is permitted. Ice formations along the Lake Michigan shoreline may be tempting to explore but are dangerous. During the winter months, visitors can enjoy skiing, snowshoeing, and ice-skating, as well as cozying up in front of a fireplace at a bed and breakfast. Light fluffy snow covering the trees and trail make it ideal for photography, skiing, or snowshoeing through a secluded winter wonderland! Visit historic sites: Mackinaw Island has a rich history, and couples can explore the islands many historic sites, such as Fort Mackinac as well as the Mackinac Island State Park Visitors Center. Amber is the proud mother to four beautiful children, Damian (27), Rosaleigh (13), Carlyn (10), Naomi (7), and a wife to her loving husband, Chancellor. Who says cycling is a summer sport? All rights reserved (About Us). Official news and information source for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. If you havent sledded the dune climb, you have not sledded, Bauman says. A loop trail through DH Day Campground and a loop just south of the Dune Climb have been added. Sledding is permitted at the Dune Climb in the designated area only when it is covered with snow. Couples can explore the snowy landscapes together and also take in the stunning winter scenery. And we came upon the most unexpected gift: We were the first to arrive at the trail. Plan a trip to the State Theater in Traverse City, take in a show at the Interlochen Center for the Arts, or peruse our galleries and museums. We stayed until the frozen bluff was too cold through my winter pants - and the sun had arrivedon our side of the dunes. Yes! If you are visiting during summer, check out these amazing Sleeping Bear Dunes beaches. If you are leaving a rut deeper than an inch, having a hard time riding in a straight line, or pushing your bike, the snow is too soft and you should not ride your bikeon the trail. Miles of sand beach, bluffs that tower 450' above Lake Michigan, lush forests, clear inland lakes, unique flora and fauna make up the natural world of Sleeping Bear Dunes. Additionally, there are annual passes and free entrance days too (Martin Luther King Jr. Day is the only day in winter) that are completely free for all guests. But the 3.5-mile round-trip hike is a different experience altogether in the winter, Bauman says. Joshua Tree National Park. Couples can enjoy a winter hike through the snowy forests and take in the stunning views of Lake Michigan. Id recommend bringing some Yak Tracks or Micro-spikes and hiking poles just in case you find the trails icy. Many travelers choose to stay in Empire or Glen Arbor because of the proximity to the park and the greater range of hotels, bed and breakfasts, motels, cabin rentals, and resorts. Fat Tire Bikes are ONLY allowed on the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail. https://www.nps.gov/slbe/index.htm, Ride, Hike, and Ski the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive Winter Trail, Website Design and Development by Pro Web Marketing. The park allows the use of a power auger with a permit on Lake Michigan, Loon Lake, School Lake, Bass Lake, and Tucker Lake. Dont forget to stop by the visitors center on your way in to the park. Stop by the museum, check out an event in the auditorium, get to know a ranger, or buy a souvenir in the bookshop. Traverse City is a beautiful destination for couples looking to escape to Michigans northern region. Clear blue waters, rolling woodlands, and 65 miles of pristine sand invite visitors to get outside and enjoy life.naturally. Check out the Ultimate Guide to Summer Camps in Metro Detroit 2023, Best Vacation Spots in Michigan for Couples in Winter, Gymnastics, Parkour, Acrobatics & Ninja Classes, Splash Pads, Spray Parks and Outdoor Pools, Biggest Guide to Original Date Night Ideas, Metro Detroit Family Events Calendar Mobile, 7 Things to Do in Metro Detroit This Weekend, Ultimate Guide to Summer Camps in Metro Detroit 2023, Mad Foamers Foam Parties: New Idea for the Best Party, Just Want to be Warm? The Sleeping Bear Dunes address for mail going to the park is 9922 Front Street in Empire, Michigan. People dont realize its a fairly complex set of hills. Couples can enjoy a leisurely tour of the island while snuggling up under a blanket. Its wild.. Wear cleats for icy days for sure but dont worry the big climb is gone! High dunes afford spectacular views across the lake. 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