Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive
Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive
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- ManningAvengerSellersburg, Indiana2,052 contributionsNice driveWhen you pay the $25 entrance fee, they'll give you a map of the road. Red dots are placed at the important stops. The covered bridge is the first stop, surrounded by beautiful woods. Another stop includes views of the Manitou Islands and what looks like a dairy barn. And of course, the dune climb. The drive is an important part of the national lakeshore so don't miss it.Visited May 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten June 1, 2024
- Karen B2 contributionsBEST option with limited time - or with a dog!Absolutely wonderful! Do yourself a favor & take time to talk to the Welcome Center when you 1st arrive! We were traveling with a dog, which prevented us from walking certain areas within the park (ie the sandy dunes stop - altho we could each take a turn to go walk the dunes on this tour while fido was happily visiting people/dogs in the parking are at that stop). This drive was PERFECT! The route was well marked, provided great views, had numerous stops to get out & see everything. Go at your own pace, take pics everywhere you'd like. The Welcome Center also provided maps with lots of options to drive within the park, including stopping at several lakes & trails we would not have otherwise seen. We 'all' had an amazing visit!Visited June 2024Traveled with familyWritten June 13, 2024
- KAREN SNiles, Michigan950 contributionsAwesome!This was my 3rd visit here and it's still an awesome spot. I took my elderly mother and she really enjoyed the scenery and even walked to the viewing platform through the sand. We got some great pictures! Bonus was the park had free entry that day!Visited August 2024Traveled with familyWritten August 8, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
727 reviews
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610
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94
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13
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3
Terrible
7
DRMIZZOU
Columbia, MO125 contributions
Sep 2022
While we were in the Traverse City area we drove to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and stopped at the Visitor Center. There we picked up a map which led us to the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. We would highly recommend taking this scenic before doing anything else in the national park. The drive itself is beautiful, but there are also several stops and pull-offs along the drive that provide access to the dunes, overlooks and great views of Lake Michigan.
Written September 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AndSand76
Fort Morgan, CO114 contributions
Aug 2021
What started off with hesitation to pay the $25 fee for a private vehicle turned into a wonderful morning for our family of five with kids ages 4 to 8. It is a pleasant drive on well-maintained roads. There are several beautiful viewpoints. At one location we were able to hike around a portion of the dunes on trails. The highlight, by far, was the Lake Michigan Overlook (#9 and #10 on the provided map and marked at the entrance). After a short walk, the view was absolutely stunning, the dunes were a blast to play on, it was fun to watch people test their bravery on the steep drop towards the lake, and there were lots of great photo opportunities.
Written August 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul F
Grand Rapids, MI12 contributions
Sep 2020
It's a pretty drive, about 7-miles, much of it under a tree canopy, until you reach an overlook Beautiful views, but take heed of the signs warning you not to hike to Lake Michigan from the top of the dune. People do it, but it's a very difficult climb back up.
We've biked the drive several times over the years, and the admission fee is $5 for doing so, unless you have a NPS pass. There are a couple challenging climbs, followed by a great downhill descent. There really isn't a shoulder to ride on--just a curb. When the road gets narrow and steep, I feel a little uncomfortable when being passed by autos.
We've biked the drive several times over the years, and the admission fee is $5 for doing so, unless you have a NPS pass. There are a couple challenging climbs, followed by a great downhill descent. There really isn't a shoulder to ride on--just a curb. When the road gets narrow and steep, I feel a little uncomfortable when being passed by autos.
Written May 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kirsten C
Hamilton, OH37 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
This was a beautiful drive and amazing views. We did this and Empire Bluff. I would recommend doing the drive first and skip the Bluff with young kids. By the time we did the drive they were tired after the 1.5 mile hike earlier. Our kids are 9 and 11. They whined by the end...just keeping it real. But on this drive the views are priceless and people watching too! We were amazed at how many people chose to go to the bottom of the dune. Its like 400 feet straight up/down. Trails were clean and well maintained, pit toilets along the way. $25 park entrance fee.
Written June 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bebigirl424
Woodridge, IL406 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
It will cost you $25 per vehicle to enter. There are 12 stops along this scenic route. There were only 3 that were "Wow!" The ones we liked were the "Overlook" stops. The best one was the stop at the top of the Dunes. It was an amazing site. It was such a far and steep drop. One should take care not to accidentally roll down the Dunes! We did see people choose to go all the way to the bottom. Can't imagine having to walk back up. We were there at about 6 and there was a nice breeze. What a beautiful view!
Other:
1. There are people who want to drive fast along the route. Move over and let them pass you. You paid $25... Take your time.
2. There are out houses along the way. Kinda gross.
3. Bring a selfie stick.
4. There are picnic spots along the way
Other:
1. There are people who want to drive fast along the route. Move over and let them pass you. You paid $25... Take your time.
2. There are out houses along the way. Kinda gross.
3. Bring a selfie stick.
4. There are picnic spots along the way
Written July 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rdsm77
Tucson, AZ392 contributions
Jul 2021
After a hike on the Good Harbor Bay Trail, I went through the Pierce Stocking scenic drive and went to several of the overlooks. Completely worth it. One overlooked the dunes from a distance. Then there was an area where you could climb down closer to the steep dunes. There was a sign warning people that being rescued costs $3000. It looked really scary so there was no way I was getting close to the edge. Wasn't too crowded on the road or any of the stops.
Written September 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pro K
1 contribution
Oct 2022
Scenic drive has a 30 dollar toll fee. This is way over priced. This drive is not worth any toll. This place is definitely NOT for fall colors. A drive to Houghton lake was much better than this. Michigan has lot of beautiful places that has no toll.
Written December 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christina B
Louisiana6,962 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
If you have a National park pass it’s free to enter, otherwise $25. We enjoyed the drive although it’s not very long. There’s a couple of look outs. Not really sure it’s worth it unless you are doing the Dunes as well and in the area.
Written July 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SnowyShasta
Portland, OR2,601 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
We enjoyed all of our time at Sleeping Bear, but this drive (with corresponding stops) was probably our favorite thing there. We decided to do the drive first thing in the morning, and started it around 8:30 AM. You can spend as much or as little time as you want at each of the stops; we appreciated that there weren't a lot of other people around for a lot of it.
The entire drive is about 7.5 miles, and you end up right where you started. We took about an hour and a half to do the entire thing. We stopped at most of the numbered stopping points, although not all of them. There are 12 in total; the best and the one where we spent the most time was at #9, where you have gorgeous views of Lake Michigan and the dunes. We also liked the first couple, including the covered bridge and the overlook on Glen Lake.
The entire drive is about 7.5 miles, and you end up right where you started. We took about an hour and a half to do the entire thing. We stopped at most of the numbered stopping points, although not all of them. There are 12 in total; the best and the one where we spent the most time was at #9, where you have gorgeous views of Lake Michigan and the dunes. We also liked the first couple, including the covered bridge and the overlook on Glen Lake.
Written October 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
parksvisitor
Maple Grove, MN1,469 contributions
Sep 2022
An absolute fantastic scenic drive. We stopped at Glen Lake Overlook, Dune Overlook, Lake Michigan Overlook (stunning). Sleeping Bear Dune Overlook and North Bar Lake Overlook. We were thinking of hiking Cottonwood Trail, but had had enough of sand dune hiking after some other hikes during our 10-day road trip.
Written November 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
can i use my national park pass tp get into pierce stocking scenic drive
Written August 1, 2024
Can you drive an RV on the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive?
Written August 19, 2023
I am planning a trip to this area in mid September and saw on the National,park website that this drive is closing at the end of August. Can the dunes still be accessed or is this only road in to the dunes/trails? I have never been to sleeping bear dunes so know much about how the area is set up. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Written August 22, 2020
I would call the Visitor center to answer this question
Written September 1, 2020
Judy C
Plymouth, Michigan
How long does it take to drive the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive?
Written June 30, 2019
Depends on if you atop to take. Hike on the dunes. If you are not planning on getting out of the car. About 15 minutes.
Written June 30, 2019
When during the park visit do you think is a good time to do the drive? We will be arriving late morning on a Sunday and will be camping at Platte River and heading to Charlevoix the next morning. I'm wondering if this would be a good introduction to the park? My only thought is that we will have already been in the car for 4+ hours this day. I'm wondering if Monday morning would be a better time and add this into our drive to Charlevoix? I've read a few places that suggest Empire Bluff trail as an introduction to the park. We haven't been to the area before so are hoping to enjoy as much as we can!
Written May 20, 2018
The Pierce Stocking drive is by far the best introduction to this park. It has bits of all the best aspects of the park. The Empire Bluff trail is very good, especially in Spring and early Summer when the walk to the lake has lots of wildflowers. To break up driving, definitely stop here.
Written July 13, 2018
What is the actual route to drive? I can't seem to find directions on the scenic drive itself.
Written May 8, 2018
It is a one way drive. One turns into the park just south of the dunes. If you have a pass it is free.
It is 30 minutes if you don't stop. Caution on going down the dunes to Lake Michigan. Coming back up is extremely hard.
Search on map Pierce stocking drive.
Written May 8, 2018
If you can, go in the spring, summer or fall. You will miss a great deal in the winter, and the roads may be a tad treacherous. Keep in mind the rates for hotels go up significantly in the areas from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Written January 26, 2018
Can we see fall colors at this place in second week of October?
Written September 2, 2017
We are currently here (Oct 19th) and the locals are telling us it's at peak right now. All I know is it's gorgeous. We are from FL.
Written October 19, 2017
At the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore visitor center, the rangers will provide written directions to see each of the attractions including how to drive to Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. You will need to purchase a park pass at the visitor center before you can enter the drive.
Written July 29, 2017
Is it still nice in late March - early April? Wondering about spring break...
Written March 29, 2017
Se the website for hours and days open.
Written November 3, 2017
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