Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Sleeping Bear Dunes' phone lines are down. This includes the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center, and both the Platte River and D.H. Day Campground offices. In the meantime, please direct questions to sleepingbearinfo@nps.gov. In an emergency, always call 911.

During #NationalPoliceWeek we honor those who help keep us safe in parks. This week, we also honor the memory of those officers who gave their lives in the line of duty. Learn more at: nps.gov/orgs/1563/poli…

Calling all artists! Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore invites YOU to create artwork inspired by our nation’s history and the Port Oneida Rural Historic District. Your original piece could be featured in this year's Port Oneida Fair (POF) poster! nps.gov/slbe/planyourv…

Do you have a favorite spring wildflower? Great trails for wildflowers: Empire Bluff Trail Pyramid Point Trail Bay View Trail NPS Photo of blooming Dutchman's breeches nps.gov/slbe/learn/nat…

Dogs love Sleeping Bear Dunes, but nesting piping plovers need extra space. Please keep pups leashed and off closed beaches so these tiny, endangered birds can safely nest. Thanks for protecting wildlife while enjoying the park. nps.gov/slbe/planyourv… NPS Photo/Mary Lundeburg

Celebrate America’s 250th with art inspired by Port Oneida and Freedom 250. Submit original artwork by May 27 to slbe_programs@nps.gov. Visit nps.gov/slbe/planyourv… for more details. NPS Photo #PortOneidaFair #Freedom250 #Art #SleepingBearDunes #NPS #Heritage #Celebration

Are you a local to the Sleeping Bear Dunes area and planning a staycation? Or perhaps you're traveling this way instead? Either way, we have some fun family-friendly programs in store for you! For more info, visit the Lakeshore's calendar: nps.gov/slbe/planyourv… Photo: NPS

"Peent! Peent!" You may hear this sound in the spring woods. The male American woodcock sky dance is one early sign of spring. The bird launches into the air, spirals upward in circles, and then drifts back toward the ground in a zig‑zag. NPS Photo - Female American woodcock

"On the road again..." Our Education Team is hitting the road in Bear Force One over spring break! Their mission? To present FREE public programs with the Lakeshore's mobile planetarium! Check out our calendar to learn more: nps.gov/slbe/planyourv… Photo: NPS

Local black bears are waking up from torpor, which means it’s time for a little spring clean‑up! • Take down bird feeders • Secure trash cans and compost • Bring outdoor pet food inside • Clean grills and outdoor cooking areas nps.gov/slbe/learn/nat… NPS / Betty Blanton

Mother Nature wasn’t quite done with winter yet! More than two feet of snow fell during this week’s blizzard, giving one last unexpected chance for winter fun. Special thanks to the Sleeping Bear Dunes maintenance crew for keeping parking lots plowed during the snow-pocalypse.

THIS WEEKEND! Maple Sugaring Days Saturday, March, 7, 10 am-3 pm Sunday, March 8, 11 am-3 pm Dechow and Olsen farms in Port Oneida This event offers hands-on demonstrations and a chance to learn the history of maple sugar and syrup making. nps.gov/slbe/planyourv… NPS Graphic

Tap into tradition! Maple Sugaring Days Saturday, March, 7, 10 am-3 pm Sunday, March 8, 11 am-3 pm Dechow and Olsen farms in Port Oneida nps.gov/slbe/planyourv… NPS Graphic

Apply to be a Custodial Maintenance Worker to help keep the park clean, safe, and inviting for everyone. This is a full-time seasonal role offering 40 hours per week at $23.44 per hour, April to October. nps.gov/slbe/getinvolv…

Summer 2026 Internship Opportunities Why Apply? Cross-training opportunities in multiple fields Contribute to meaningful projects that make a real impact Work alongside NPS professionals Open to students and recent graduates. nps.gov/slbe/getinvolv…

Admire from a distance—your life depends on it. Illustration: NPS

Join our team and help visitors enjoy one of the most beautiful places in the country. On your free time, you can explore the beaches and trails that make Sleeping Bear Dunes unforgettable. nps.gov/slbe/getinvolv… #FindYourPark

Walking on shelf ice? Hard no! Great Lakes shelf ice is one of the most dangerous places you can step. The folks in this photo are doing it right: staying on the shore. Admire the ice. Photograph the ice. Don't walk on the ice; your life depends on it.

Snowshoe Drop-In Programs Saturdays, Jan 24 – Feb 28 11 am - 3 pm Checkout snowshoes and receive instructions at the Dune Climb's Dune Center Garage. More info on the Lakeshore's calendar. nps.gov/slbe/planyourv… NPS Photo/S. Singleton #IceFishing #JuniorRanger

Get ready to reel in some fun! Youth Ice Fishing Saturdays Dune Center at the Dune Climb Every Saturday from Jan. 24 – Feb. 28, 2026 11 am - 3 pm, drop-in family program Free with park pass NPS Photos/S. Singleton