Great Lakes Piping Plover Tour
A Great Lakes Shorebird Experience
Ideal for Birders and Nature Lovers
Michigan’s Great Lakes Piping Plover Tour Birdwatching & Conservation
Why Book a Plover Tour
This conservation-focused experience, located near Traverse City MI, offers an intimate look at one of North America’s most endangered shorebirds nesting along protected Lake Michigan shores.
What You’ll Experience
A guided shoreline beach walk
Observe fragile federally protected nesting areas from a respectful distance
Learn why Sleeping Bear Dunes is critical to plover recovery
Discover how your visit supports conservation success
Tour Details
Price: $60
Duration: 1.5 hours
Group Size: Book a private tour
Terrain: Boardwalk, soft sand, compact shoreline beach
What to Bring: Binoculars, sun protection, water, and your curiosity!
A wildlife experience found nowhere else in Michigan
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We have 95 nesting pair, This is the highest pair count since ESA listing in 1984!
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For a total of 252 Great Lakes Piping Plover chicks!
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Currently, there are 25 active nests in SBDNL of which 2 nests are still incubating.
REVIEW: July, 2024 -I learned a ton about the endangered Piping Plover bird and the efforts to encourage their population growth. They’re adorable little birds that nest right on the sand by the water and we saw many of them! I got some amazing photos.
$10 from your tour aids Great Lakes Piping Plover conservation!
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Yes — absolutely!
The ideal tour for those looking for:
Up-close wildlife viewing of a federally protected species
A calm, slow-paced experience with plenty of photo opportunities
A deeper understanding of the role of conservation at Sleeping Bear Dunes
Our guide keeps the conversation naturally engaging and nature-focused.
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Yes — this is a guided walking tour
Terrain includes boardwalk, loose sand, and compacted sand
Frequent stops for interpretation and observation
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This tour provides the only guided Great Lakes Piping Plover experience in Michigan.
Stand in the presence of an endangered species
Visit a federally protected nesting site
Be captivated by the plovers’ playful, determined behavior
Leave with a real connection to the birds — not just a photo (photos are allowed)
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We’d love to provide more information so you can begin planning your visit! Email us at this clickable link: guides@sb2r.com
Frequently Asked Questions
See you soon!
Need help deciding which incredible experience to book? Click any tour type below to learn more.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Northern Michigan
Traverse City area tours
Michigan guided tours
Cancellation Policy
4% credit card recovery fee for all client cancellations - zero costs to reschedule.
Client cancellations within 24 hours of tour time will not be refunded.
Cancellation by SB2r will receive a 100% refund.
