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5.0 635 reviews

Excellent85%
Very good12%
Average1%
Poor1%
Terrible1%

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“scenic drive”(92 reviews)

“lake michigan”(152 reviews)

“sleeping bear dunes”(59 reviews)

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Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Empire, MI

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+1 231-326-4700

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Reviews (635)

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1 - 10 of 631 reviews

Varsha G

Michigan

193

Reviewed 5 days ago

Colorful drive

One should not miss this scenic drive while visiting sleeping bear dunes. You can see spectacular colors in Fall.

Thank Varsha G

Fred J

Florida Keys, Florida

7818

Reviewed 6 days ago

neat drive

We did catch the Fall Foliage of the Sleeping Bear Dunes and some wildlife along the scenic drive. Very pretty part of NW Michigan and the Park is unusual, as is most of the National Parks.

Thank Fred J

jalowu

Chicago, IL

5419

Reviewed 1 week ago

A "do not miss" scenic drive.

Lovely drive with various stops and outlooks through the forest and out onto the dunes. Take your time and enjoy the views.

Thank jalowu

sabinocanyoneluv

Dallas, Texas

211

Reviewed 1 week ago

Great drive to pull over and explore

Lots of beautiful places to stop. Small fee i believe for a park pass, ask for the map it has all the stops described on it.

Thank sabinocanyoneluv

jeneeo

Newport, Michigan

38066

Reviewed 2 weeks ago via mobile

Love this scenic drive!

Do not miss this drive if you are nearby! The views are breathtaking! This was my first time taking the drive in the fall. We are usually here in summer. Fall colors are absolutely beautiful!!

Thank jeneeo

Doubrava1

Lansing, Michigan

6324

Reviewed 2 weeks ago

Scenic and Serene

On a color tour a few weeks ago, we were traveling from Traverse City to Empire. I looked up what to do in Empire and this national park came up. It is a hidden gem. We were given a map that showed points of interest...More

Thank Doubrava1

Terry B

Noblesville, Indiana

61

Reviewed 3 weeks ago

Don't miss this scenic drive

The scenery is breathtaking and beautiful. Well worth a drive to take this drive. The road is single lane and just goes in one direction with several places to stop and take a closer look at the sights. Good mix of dunes, vistas and forests.

Thank Terry B

Fastphilad

Mich

894258

Reviewed October 12, 2018 via mobile

Beautiful drive.

We did not have a lot of time to spend at the park however we did want to see this and do it. The purest stocking drive was recommended to get an overview of the park. We intend to go there again in the summer...More

2 Thank Fastphilad

Oodnil

Ann Arbor, Michigan

21467

Reviewed October 12, 2018

If you like Scenic Drives, this is it.

Took a car club group of 25 Jaguars thru the scenic drive. Nice roads, great views, even a covered bridge to go thru. It doesnt get much better.

Thank Oodnil

lvsdx

15856

Reviewed October 10, 2018

Scenic Drive

We don't have any covered bridges near where I live so I had to pull over and take this covered bridge picture.

Thank lvsdx

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Questions & Answers

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Lew1120

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!

May 20, 2018|

AnswerShow all 2 answers

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... More

Christine B

What is the actual route to drive? I can't seem to find directions on the scenic drive itself.

May 7, 2018|

AnswerShow all 2 answers

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... More

Elizabeth R

Is January a good time to go

January 25, 2018|

AnswerShow all 5 answers

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... More