Sleeping Bear Dunes Overlook: Is it Lake Michigan or the Caribbean?

August 4th, 2022: we are heading to the main attraction of our trip. That attraction is the primary driver of this trip: Sleeping Bear Dunes.
We mainly wanted to go to the Sleeping Bear Dunes Overlook, where the panorama is breathtaking, and you can climb the steep dune.
I wanted to drive to the Dune Climb first (goo.gl/maps/dK.... Reading the name of the place made me think that that's the place where you can climb the dune. The location faced Lake Glen, and I expected to see Lake Michigan. The trail from the Dune Climb leads to Sleeping Bear Dunes Beach (goo.gl/maps/Aj..., which is at Lake Michigan. Looking at the map and seeing some pictures of others didn't make sense.
I saved the place just in case.
We targeted Dunes Scenic Overlook (goo.gl/maps/nk...) and the Sleeping Bear Dunes Overlook (goo.gl/maps/pD...) via the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive (goo.gl/maps/Lu.... The photos on the map are mixed. It didn't help us to understand which place is what exactly.
We arrived before 10 AM. It wasn't crowded at that time. There were just a few cars at the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive Entrance. Great! It turns out that there is no admission today! Even better! It is $25 per car usually.
August 4th is entrance free day to celebrate the Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act (www.nps.gov/or.... We learned something again.
Anyway, the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is great. It feels good to cruise under the enormous trees. Nature is lush here. It reminded me a bit of the Blue Ridge Parkway ( • Come With Us for a tri... ).
We saw a covered bridge and stopped at the first overlook, which is nr 3 on the map that you get at the entrance. We quickly realized that is not the place we were looking for. The dunes and the panorama is incredible. No doubt.
We drove to stops 9 and 10. So if you want to see the unbelievable panorama of Lake Michigan and want to climb that dune, go to Sleeping Bear Dunes Overlook (goo.gl/maps/pD...) (nr 9 on the map) via the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive (goo.gl/maps/Lu...!
Arrive early, as the parking spaces are limited. We made a mistake by leaving the lot. We made another round on the scenic drive, but there was a long queue to enter the parking lot at the stops 9 and 10.
However, it is worth the wait! You could think you are somewhere in the Caribbean if you see it. The sand, the dark and light blue, the turquoise color of the water. You cannot stop looking around. It is so immersive that I can't describe it. You have to see it.
Climbing the dune was exhausting. It looks it's steep and long. You will notice the length of the dune when you start "galloping" down the hill. I had no trouble downhill, but I already knew it would take much more time and effort uphill! 😄
I can't tell how long it took to climb up, but I was tired and thirsty.
Think twice: rescuing when you are stuck and want to get rescued by officials will cost you $3000.
The Sleeping Bear Dunes National park is big, and it is the largest freshwater dune system in the world. There are many places to visit and discover. I wish we had more time and money to go back and see every corner.
Sleeping Bear Dunes became one of the top places that we visited.
Learn more about the park: www.nps.gov/sl...
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Music: Before we knew by TeaTime
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