Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Sleeping Bear Dunes is the name of a National Lakeshore on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan in the U.S. state of Michigan.

The protected area is about 288 square kilometers and extends over 60 km along the northwestern shore of the Lower Peninsula of Lake Michigan. The main attraction of the park form sand dunes that tower above the banks of up to 140 m high. From here you can enjoy spectacular views of the lake, offshore islands and the hinterland with the Glen Lake. The two islands North Manitou and South Manitou Iceland Iceland are also part of the protected area.

The landscape is dominated by the last Ice Age. However, the dunes themselves are only about two thousand years old and are subject to wind erosion is constant change. At the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, there is a very nice vantage point on the cliff. Before descending to the beach, one should remember that the return in the loose sand is strenuous and lengthy, as it appears, and also increased the erosion of the steep terrain. Especially for visitors are located near the western shore of Glen Lakes walk- dunes, but not directly on Lake Michigan. The park is rich in forests, but today's trees forms a secondary forest. The original primary forests were completely cleared in earlier times. Existing forests are converted into natural forests.

The name of the area goes back to a legend of the Anishinabe: Einstein is a bear with her ​​two cubs have fled before a forest fire in the lake water. The bears swam for their lives, but soon the boys were back behind her mother. Finally, the bear reached the other shore and climbed a dune to look for her boy out, but they were drowned. Over time, the wind covered the waiting mother with sand. The most striking, now largely eroded by wind erosion point of the dunes reminiscent in shape to a sleeping or out holding bear. Under the Sand is this still waiting for the arrival of their boys. Impressed by the fate and unwavering hope the bear had the great Manitu at the point at which drowned the two young bears, two islands arise. They carry the names North and South Manitou Iceland today. On both there is a small lake and camping, boats ply between the mainland and the islands. In the South Island there is a lighthouse, former stations of the Coast Guard and deserted villages.

While walking through the park should pay attention to poison ivy. Skin contact with the plant can cause unpleasant poisoning.