Guided Tours in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

From iconic dune views to quiet forest trails and wildlife encounters, each tour is a unique experience!

View of a sandy shoreline along the blue waters of Lake Michigan. On shore are green trees and forested dunes, under a clear blue sky.

Dune Tours and Activities

Local guides helping visitors experience the dunes, forests, shores, wildlife and scenic overlooks — without the guesswork.

EXPERIENCES

Planning your first visit? Read our Local Guide to Visiting Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore spans over 70,000 acres. Our guided experiences focus on timing, access, and perspective, so you can see more within a shorter period of time.

Why Visitors Choose Sleeping Bear Tour Co.

• Local naturalist-led experiences
• Small groups & private options
• First-time visitor friendly
• Environmentally responsible guiding
• Five-star guest reviews

Choose a Tour Theme to Get Started

Sand dunes with green grass leading to the beach, with blue Lake Michigan and sky in the background and some clouds.

DUNE

Rolling, Sandy, Retrospective

1.5 hours $50
A narrow dirt hiking trail winds through a dense, green forest with tall trees and lush undergrowth.

FOREST

Level, Tranquil, Immersive

3 hours $100
A Great Lakes Piping Plover, a small federally protected shorebird with white and brown plumage, orange legs, and a yellow beak standing on sandy ground near water.

PLOVER

Michigan Exclusive

1.5 hours $60
A white tour bus parked on a road with a scenic landscape of green hills, sandy cliffs, and a body of water under a partly cloudy sky.

GROUPS

Step-on Interpretive Guide

Group Tour Options

GIFT NATURE

Gift Experiences

Share the Spirit

Need a little help in deciding what to do in Sleeping Bear Dunes?

Here are a few ideas to inspire your travel planning!

A person wearing an orange shirt and hat with a backpack walking on a trail through a lush green forest under a partly cloudy blue sky.

Immersive Hikes

Visitor Center sign for Philip A. Hart with the National Park Service logo, American flag, and a blue building in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Start at the Visitor Center

Family walking on sandy beach with grassy dunes and trees in background during sunny day.

Family Time

A close-up of a common loon swimming in calm water with a blurred brownish-green background.

Waterfowl & Birds

Group of six people, three adults and three children, jumping and smiling on a beach with sand and water, under a partly cloudy sky.

Private Tours

Three people, two women and a child, sitting on grass by the water and facing Lake Michigan on a sunny day, wearing hats and sunglasses.

All Tours Support Environmental Protection

The National Lakeshore receives 3% from ALL tours & Plover Tour generates $10 to GLPP protection.

Escape your busy life for a short period of time or an entire day!

Book Now

Embark on an unparalleled journey with Sleeping Bear Tour Co. Immerse yourself in nature, leaving behind the ordinary. Your adventure awaits, offering an unmatched connection with the natural world. Discover happiness in nature.

Explore Sleeping Bear Dunes on Foot — Book a Guided Walking Tour Today!

Join Sleeping Bear Tour Co. for guided walking tours through the forests, dunes, and shoreline of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Our interpretive hikes offer rich storytelling, wildlife, and breathtaking views — perfect for curious travelers, nature lovers, and families.

Slow down. See more. Book your Sleeping Bear adventure today.

Read more about each experience by selecting a tour type below:

A Great Lakes Piping Plover, a small federally protected shorebird with white and brown plumage, orange legs, and a yellow beak standing on sandy ground near water.
A beach with sandy dunes and green grass leading to a calm Lake Michigan under a partly cloudy sky.
A narrow dirt hiking trail winds through a lush green forest with tall trees and dense foliage.
A white tour bus driving on a paved road with a scenic landscape of green hills, sandy cliffs, and a blue Lake Michigan in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
Young black bear sitting on grass among green bushes.

REASONS WE ROCK!

  • The original wilderness guided hike

  • Activities aid resource protection

  • 77 Five Star Google Reviews

Sleeping Bear Tour Co is unique for its unparalleled combination of personalized adventures and sustainable practices.

Offering exclusive small-group and private tours, we prioritize customer preferences and create tailor-made itineraries. Our commitment to eco-friendly tourism sets us apart, as we actively contribute to preserving the pristine beauty of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

With expert guides, top-notch service, and a deep passion for nature, we ensure unforgettable, responsible, and immersive experiences for every traveler. We offer the state of Michigan's only Great Lakes Piping Plover tour, the only guides entering designated "wilderness" in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and offer step-on motorcoach service for large group tours.

Book Now

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Tours promote education, aid protection, and provide personalized outdoor experiences.

  • Group of people posing on a sandy cliff with the blue water of Lake Michigan in the background under a clear blue sky.

    Our group of seniors from Ohio absolutely loved our full afternoon tour provided by Julie. She was so full of love for the surrounding wildlife and nature that it was contagious. We all wanted to be like Julie! Thank you for making our tour time through Sleeping Bear Park so fun and informative!

  • Person with a backpack standing in a grassy forest clearing near a misty body of water, surrounded by trees and fallen branches.

    Moved at the right pace for me, providing time to appreciate and soak up the stillness and beauty; Don't miss the Wilderness Hike or Dune Hike. Seeing where the river joins the lake with almost no other people was so memorable. Being able to visit parts of the Park I never would have known about was terrific. You helped me create memories.

  • Person walking on a sandy beach path with green grass, carrying a yellow backpack, towards the blue waters of Lake Michigan under a clear blue sky.

    Went on the Piping Plover tour. It was amazing. The Piping Plovers did not disappoint. They are so darned cute. Such an amazing return from a dozen breeding pairs. Highly recommend Julie as a guide, knowledgeable & very prepared.

  • Bobcat standing in tall grass, looking back.

    The Sleeping Bear Tour Co guide was very flexible and knew the area well, all contributing to maximizing our time in this beautiful region and getting great photos. We had a great three days!

More Google Reviews

Walks for all ages and capabilities. Or hire a guide to ride with you in your vehicle taking in all the highlights.

Read more about each experience by selecting a tour type below:

A Great Lakes Piping Plover, a small federally protected shorebird with white and brown plumage, orange legs, and a yellow beak standing on sandy ground near water.
A beach with sandy dunes and green grass leading to a calm Lake Michigan under a partly cloudy sky.
A narrow dirt trail winds through a lush green forest with tall trees and bright green foliage.
A white tour bus driving on a paved road with a scenic landscape of green hills, sandy cliffs, and a blue Lake Michigan in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Landscape exploration.

Fifty years of Michigan expertise.

Book with confidence - Read our reviews

Logo of Sleeping Bear Tour Co. white line replicating the dune landscape, another line for Lake Michigan. Three black bears a top line hiking in line.
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