Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
IUCN category III (natural monument or feature)
Various smaller dunes located within the Sleeping Bear Lakeshore
Location of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Location	Benzie & Leelanau counties, Michigan, United States
Nearest city	Empire, Michigan Glen Arbor, Michigan
Coordinates	44°51′N 86°03′W / 44.850°N 86.050°W / 44.850; -86.050
Area	71,199 acres (288.13 km2)[1]
Established	October 21, 1970 (1970-10-21)
Visitors	1,501,117 (in 2022)[2]
Governing body	National Park Service
Website	Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a U.S. national lakeshore in the northwestern Lower Peninsula of Michigan. Located within Benzie and Leelanau counties, the park extends along a 35-mile (56 km) stretch of Lake Michigan's eastern coastline, as well as North and South Manitou islands, preserving a total of 71,199 acres (111 sq mi; 288 km²). The park is known for its outstanding natural features, including dune formations, forests, beaches, and ancient glacial phenomena. The lakeshore also contains many cultural features, including the 1871 South Manitou Island Lighthouse, three former stations of the Coast Guard (formerly the Life-Saving Service), and an extensive rural historic farm district.

The park is administered by the National Park Service, and was established on October 21, 1970.^[3] In 2011, the area won the title of "The Most Beautiful Place in America" from Good Morning America.^[4] In 2014, a section of the park was named the Sleeping Bear Dunes Wilderness by the United States Congress.