10 Nature & Parks in Leelanau County That You Shouldn't Miss

August 30, 2021 Jacquiline Delozier

Discover the best top things to do in Leelanau County, United States including Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Platte Plains Trail, Empire Bluff Trail, Lane Road Beach, Christmas Cove Beach, Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, Lake Michigan Beach Park, South Manitou Island, Peterson Park, Sleeping Bear Dunes.
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1. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

9922 W Front St, Empire, MI 49630-9417 +1 231-326-5134 http://www.nps.gov/slbe/index.htm
Excellent
86%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,861 reviews

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

This national park includes a 35-mile stretch of beach on Lake Michigan for swimming plus 13 hiking trails.

Reviewed By JoeandKarin - Levering, United States

We only had a day to spend here....you can easily make this a nice vacation spot...we will be back !! There are plenty of activities for everyone...trail hiking, sandy beach walks, lots of areas to build sand castles or just to sit and take in the beautiful lake shore, swimming, and also plenty of bike trails. The “Scenic Trail” drive is a must!!! There are plenty of “overlook areas” of the Dunes and the lake where you can stop and take pictures. The Dune hike is very adventurous and worth the climb in the sand !! Bring plenty of water and wear a hat !!! Going down the Dune, whether at a run, roll or stroll, makes the effort of the climb well worth it !! We stopped at the visitor center first and found the volunteers there very helpful and informative. Very fun time !

2. Platte Plains Trail

Empire, MI +1 231-326-4700 http://www.nps.gov/slbe
Excellent
86%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 7 reviews

Platte Plains Trail

Located in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore, this is a 15-mile network of scenic hiking and biking trails.

3. Empire Bluff Trail

Empire, MI +1 231-326-4700 http://www.nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/trailempirebluff.htm
Excellent
84%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 294 reviews

Empire Bluff Trail

Extending two miles in length, this picturesque point-to-point hiking trail is rated moderate in skill level.

Reviewed By amys91 - Bowling Green, United States

Nice hike along Lake Michigan. Great breeze and about 1 mile hike in the woods before you can see the lake.

4. Lane Road Beach

2686 S Lane Rd, Maple City, MI 49664-9670
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
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Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

Lane Road Beach

5. Christmas Cove Beach

E Christmas Cove Rd, Northport, MI 49670
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
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Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

Christmas Cove Beach

6. Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail

Forest Haven Dr., Glen Arbor, MI http://sleepingbeartrail.org/
Excellent
86%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 188 reviews

Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail

Reviewed By mclaughc - Ann Arbor, United States

The National Park Service has done a great job here. Signage is perfect, the points of interest along the trail are noted, and the surface is very bikable. Scenery along Lake Michigan is awesome and made the most of here.

7. Lake Michigan Beach Park

Lake Michigan Drive, Empire, MI 49630 http://www.leelanau.cc/empirevlgparks.asp
Excellent
79%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 91 reviews

Lake Michigan Beach Park

Reviewed By Jinnyus

Our family wanted to watch the sunset on a beach, so we drove to Empire. The beach has lots of deep sand and places to sit. You can cook out or have a fire. We sat on a bench overlooking the water while our grandsons played on the playground equipment. While we were there, a mother/daughter were sitting at a picnic table next to us waiting for sunset. One by one, people started gathering right next to the table (there's a big standing rock, perhaps it's a meeting point) and basically made themselves at home by putting their stuff on the table or sitting down. I was surprised to see this. The mom/daughter obviously were also surprised. Is that the new beach etiquette? Just walk up to someone's table and take it over? Sunset was lovely. Plenty of people were in the water even at the end of daylight, including kayakers and paddleboarders. I think there's a parking fee, but I didn't see any place to pay.

8. South Manitou Island

Lake Michigan, Leland, MI +1 231-326-4700 http://www.nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/southmanitouisland.htm
Excellent
91%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 11 reviews

South Manitou Island

9. Peterson Park

10001 East Peterson Park Road, Northport, MI 49670 https://www.leelanau.cc/leelanautwppark.asp
Excellent
50%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4 reviews

Peterson Park

10. Sleeping Bear Dunes

6748 S Dune Hwy, Empire, MI 49630-9446 +1 231-326-4700 http://www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/hiking.htm
Excellent
78%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 131 reviews

Sleeping Bear Dunes

This 4.5-mile challenging hiking trail is the most popular in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

Reviewed By DJB1954 - Homosassa Springs, United States

Been coming here for sixty years well before it became a National Park. Still an amazing and beautiful place. Lots to see but if you attempt the dunes climbs make sure you are in good shape. Good place to take the kids and if you are really adventurous you can take the dunes climb and hike all the way to Lake Michigan. But for that you must be in excellent shape and be able to walk in deep sand for around five miles round trip.

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