Sleeping Bear Dunes - 17 Things to Do (Dunes Climb, Beaches & More!)

Sleeping Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan, once voted the most beautiful place in America, is an absolute must visit, especially if you want to see towering bluffs, gorgeous beaches and tons of dunes.
This video is part of our epic road trip to all 5 US Great Lakes (Ontario, Erie, Huron, Superior & Michigan) where we visited Niagara Falls in New York, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Pictured Rocks and Apostle Islands National Lakeshores, Mackinac Island, the Porcupine Mountains ("Porkies" as they say in da UP), the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Ohio, the Henry Ford Museum in Detroit, the Lakeshore bike trail in Chicago, Frankenmuth the year-round Christmas city - are you tired yet? Oh and we ate a lot of pasties and fudge. Like a lot of fudge. So much fudge that we actually take no offense to the Yoopers and Trolls calling us Fudgies. We've been called much worse. Stay tuned for a ton of videos showing our adventures like dune climbing, kayaking, hiking or biking, that we will continue to link below as they are released. The United States of America is a huge place and this is just one small portion of it.
All the Great Lakes Road Trip 2022
All the Great Lakes Trailer | USA Road Trip - • All the Great Lakes Tr...
Niagara Falls - Cave of the Winds Tour (USA Side) - • Niagara Falls - Cave o...
Niagara Falls Boat Ride - Maid of the Mist Tour (USA Side) - • Niagara Falls Boat Rid...
Niagara Falls - 11 Things to Do! (USA Travel Guide) - • Niagara Falls - 11 Thi...
Henry Ford Museum Tour - Dearborn, Michigan - • Henry Ford Museum Tour...
Frankenmuth, Michigan Tour - Things to Do in Little Bavaria! - • Frankenmuth, Michigan ...
Mackinac Island Travel Guide - Things to Do in Michigan (No Cars Allowed!) - • Mackinac Island Travel...
Sleeping Bear Dunes - 17 Things to Do! - • Sleeping Bear Dunes - ...
Kayak Tour of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on Lake Superior - • Kayak Tour of Pictured...
Pictured Rocks - 12 Things to Do! (America's First National Lakeshore) - • Pictured Rocks - 12 Th...
The Porcupine Mountains in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula - • The Porcupine Mountain...
Apostle Islands - Kayak Tour of Sea Caves on Lake Superior - • Apostle Islands - Kaya...
Chicago Lakefront Trail Bike Ride - • Chicago Lakefront Trai...
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Tour - Cleveland, Ohio - • Rock and Roll Hall of ...
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Music from Epidemic Sound - bit.ly/2MY6ilU
0:00 Intro
0:33 Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
0:50 Good Harbor Beach
1:36 Pyramid Point
2:31 Glen Lake Overlook (Pierce Stocking)
3:06 Dune Overlook (Pierce Stocking)
3:27 Cottonwood Trail (Pierce Stocking)
4:01 Lake Michigan Overlook (Pierce Stocking)
5:03 Sleeping Bear Dunes Overlook (Pierce Stocking)
5:44 North Bar Overlook (Pierce Stocking)
6:08 Esch Beach
6:44 Empire Bluffs
7:35 Dune Climb
9:59 Glen Haven
10:55 Maritime Museum
11:40 Heritage Trail
12:19 Glen Arbor
12:56 Inspiration Point
13:21 Leland (Fishtown)

[@Adaisy45]

We are from the Grand Rapids, Michigan and love the Sleeping Bear Dunes area! Just amazing. I’m 59 and first went down the dunes when I was 5 years old. We currently live in NC but will be moving back to our home state next year! So excited! Ludington is beautiful as well as is all the Upper Peninsula! Thank you for the wonderful video! 🌲🌼

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

That's awesome, and thank you. We continued into the UP after this on our big road trip. Such a beautiful part of the country. Glad you are able to move back!

[@AdventureMuse]

What a beautiful area. I think the Empire bluff was my favorite. Great tour as always.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Thank you! It was a really pretty area. Shame the water never really gets warm :)

[@dmill1043]

Just love this area, It is so scenic. One of the most beautiful areas in the US. Great video too

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

It really is! Loved this area so much. And thank you :)

[@_Myfriend012]

One step, one step! I love the feeling of being invited with beauty and healing!👍👏 Magellan and Greyhound! 🌹🍀 Have a day full of energetic smiles! 🙏

[@Shaman196]

Back in the 80's I did back-hand springs and lay-out flips down the face of Sleeping Bear! What a Rush!

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

That is wild! Not that either of us can do gymnastics lol

[@Shaman196]

@@MagellanandGreyhound Lol..... That was many moons ago for me, I was 15 at the time. My wife actually got to see a video of it, we've been married for 30 years. Time flies........ Happy adventuring to y'all!

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

@@Shaman196 that’s awesome! Time does fly, but that’s ok if it’s fun! Happy adventuring to you too. What a world we live in …

[@lakemi4665]

Great video, I've lived here for 62 years raised 4 kids here, beautiful place to live

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Thank you! It really is. Not everyone gets to live in beautiful places, but you certainly do! We loved it there

[@dougclark6696]

As usual, you make me want to visit. Mission accomplished! Thanks!

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Thank you Doug! It has been on our long list of places to visit for years and we weren't disappointed. We have a whole new appreciation for Michigan now

[@walkingj.m9132]

So beautiful sea and Dunes!! Interesting and nice scenery!!😍😍 Thank you for sharing this my new friend!!👍👍

[@alisonflaxman1566]

Lake and dunes.

[@Jax4umalta]

Awesome video you guys. You definitely did it justice. So cool to see your viewpoints of everything. And thanks for the shout out at the end.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Thank you! It was nice seeing your home finally. Beautiful place 😁

[@adventure.anywhere]

We just watched this video and I had to go back at the end when I heard them say your name. The picture looked familiar so of course I had to come to the comments to see if it was you! That’s too cool!

[@rosegialanellaobrien6028]

You guys are too funny! Great video❤

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

We try lol

[@petr-podrouzek]

Fantastic, my friends 🙂

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Thank you Petr. 😁

[@tiffanymengor217]

Such a great video. We are planning our vacation for here for this summer. So many great spots to check out

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Thank you! Very much worth the visit. The only problem we had was how long it took us to finally check it out!

[@TravelwithSuri]

Wow! This is great video. I never heard about the sleeping bear dune. All the overlooks are beautiful.. it’s worth the hike to see such a beautiful places. It’s fun walking/hiking on the sand though..) I have been to Colorado Sand Dune National park and it was awesome. Another nice video. Have a great Sunday!

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Now you have heard of it :) We have to visit the sand dunes in Colorado - on our list! Thank you Suri

[@wendingourway]

Now that is really something! I've been to some of the dunes in Michigan, but not as marvelous as Sleeping Bear...and indeed, the water is never warm...despite what "some others" say. lol If you get to these areas one has to get to the dunes!! Oh dear yes, the deer flies are killer...I had forgot about them...something we have plenty of around our lakes as well. Awesome adventuring! Bruce and Otis

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

This planet never ceases to amaze us. I'm not sure if we would really want to visit in winter, but apparently this place is still popular with the locals haha. The flies weren't bad for most places, but that one area they were awful!

[@scottfranson4215]

Beautiful Lake Glen ,Nice VIdeo .It isn`t run over with people .

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

It wasn’t, and this was in the summer. So hard to find places like this anymore.

[@melissas7757]

Love your voice, Magellan, you sound like the narrator of “A River Runs Through It” which is one of my favorite movies! Thanks for sharing this video. My oldest daughter and I will be visiting this summer!

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

I’m no Robert Redford, but I greatly appreciate that! I hope you and your daughter have an amazing time. Sleeping Bear is a really special place. 😁

[@jamesodwyer5219]

Been going to Sleeping Bear, Leland and Benzi Country's for about 40 years.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

You are blessed! What a truly beautiful area.

[@I_LOVE_THE_SUNCOAST]

Great scenes! I've heard that parts of Coastal Michigan have a similar look and feel to Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

I can see that in parts, definitely. Much less crowded in Michigan though :)

[@I_LOVE_THE_SUNCOAST]

@@MagellanandGreyhound Right, that seems to be the great appeal of the Michigan coast, as well as Wisconsin, in places like Door County. Parts of them have a very similar appeal to Cape Cod, but with much less of the crowdedness. That's a great thing.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

@@I_LOVE_THE_SUNCOAST we were surprised how quiet it was compared to other places

[@virgilflowers9846]

@@I_LOVE_THE_SUNCOASTShhhhh, don’t tell people about Door County 😉

[@I_LOVE_THE_SUNCOAST]

@@virgilflowers9846 Right, gotta keep it a Midwestern secret. :) I am from Florida by the way and I got word of it, and will be visiting Door County next month!

[@LoveIsVitalEverlasting]

Just remember to be respectful of mother nature, and read the signs if they are posted. Many people have trashed as well as caused erosion in these areas by littering and going on dunes that are supposed to be left alone. The rivers and lakes have been trashed each year. These are amazing places that need protection. The wildlife is crucial, and unfortunately due to high levels of foot traffic many of the animals have dwindled in certain areas. There is also numerous non-native and invasive species that have been introduced to these areas from boating as well as foot traffic. Please don't go anywhere in nature if you do not care or don't want to take the proper precautions.

[@waterfallmadman]

Sweet. Your didn’t die either. 😁 The dunes overlooking the lake was very cool. It looked so steep. And it looked like some people had gone down it. Crazy.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Haha we didn’t. And yes that dune super steep. I watched this one guy go down right as we came and by the time we left he was still working his way back up. No thanks …

[@nateb2715]

Every year someone has to get rescued from the bottom because they can't make it back up

[@scottfranson4215]

Beautiful Lake Glen ,Nice VIdeo . One thing to remember it considered a very good work out to walk on soft sand , But Caution only a little each day ,as you can do this with out seriously bad Leg cramps , You add distance What happens is your body will work to equal Strength SO The Good Part ,You will have a Strong perfectly lined up posture ,as found out from the folks the live in Africa that have to run the trails to get to other villages with a message . No kidding. Also many are very Tall

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

That’s so true. Our feet get beat up especially from running on pavement. Running on grass works the same way. Sand is really tough but at least it’s soft

[@ReSprout]

Just remember that not long ago that “fairy dancing gazelle” was hiking Death Valley with a peg leg crutch. 💪😛

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

So you’re a dancing pirate gazelle?

[@ReSprout]

@@MagellanandGreyhound That is creating the craziest cartoon image in my mind! 🤣

[@jeffwaite6624]

At time 4:08 mark the narrator say "450 feet above sea level" It should be '450 above lake level' Lake Michigan is 580 feet above sea level and the deck over looking the lake is around 1000 above sea level.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Good catch, thank you!

[@genarocruz6326]

♥️♥️♥️👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@jhowardgreenthumb]

What time of year in the summer did you go? My family is heading up this summer.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Late June into July. It was gorgeous!

[@TerminatorJuice]

What was the date when you went here? Because the flies usually only last for a few weeks in Michigan.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

If memory serves, it was around the last week of June.

[@TerminatorJuice]

@@MagellanandGreyhound That sounds about the right time for the annoying biting flies along the Lakeshore...

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

@@TerminatorJuice in the grand scheme, it didn’t take away from how beautiful it all was. We were just very surprised 😂

[@BeenDeliveredToday]

do you know if there's a spot i could drive to where i could barbeque and have a nice view of the lake? Would be nice if i could just park my car there, unload all the stuff, grill some kabobs and enjoy the view of the lake

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

I am not sure, but I imagine you can. I remember seeing picnic tables along Pierce Stocking Drive, Glen Lake, etc. If you call the visitor center I’m sure they would know the best places, but Pierce Stocking is likely your best bet.

[@BeenDeliveredToday]

@@MagellanandGreyhound thank you

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

@@BeenDeliveredToday you are very welcome. Hope you have a blast!

[@JLStreetDoc]

Beautiful, but seems like it would get boring after about a day.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

I guess it just depends on what you like to do. I think we were in the area three days, and spent about two days time wise here, but for people with just a few hours, it's still very worth it too.

[@JLStreetDoc]

@@MagellanandGreyhound I’m sure it’s more fun in person. Just lots of sand and water. lol Somebody mentioned to me, thought I would like to take the wrangler up and do some camping with the kayaks, maybe.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

@@JLStreetDoc definitely lots of sand and water :) we wish we took our kayaks, but we had space issues. we had to rent some.

[@Wholeshowtv]

Deceptively steep

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Very much so