Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Permit Information

NPS Special Use Permit required for any wedding with guests, chairs, or an arch. Submit the completed NPS Form 10 930 to Slbe_permits@nps.gov at least 30 days in advance (60 days is strongly recommended for peak summer weekends). Fees are split into a $50 non refundable application fee paid through Pay.gov and a $50 cost recovery fee once the permit is approved, for roughly $100 total before any add ons. Guests also pay the $25 per vehicle park entrance fee. Ceremonies must use the wedding loca…

Planning Your Day at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

One-Spot Day

Sleeping Bear one spot days split between the dunes themselves and the bluff overlooks. The Dune Climb and the walk to the Lake Michigan Overlook is a strenuous 3.5 mile sand trip for couples who want the full dune experience. Empire Bluff is a 1.5 mile flat forest walk to a jaw dropping view, the accessible alternative. Pick based on how much effort you want on the ceremony day.

Ceremony + Portraits Split

The park runs 35 miles along the Lake Michigan coast from Empire north to Glen Arbor. Empire Bluff, the Dune Climb, Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive overlooks, and Sleeping Bear Point all sit within 20 minutes of each other. A Dune Climb ceremony in the morning and an Empire Bluff sunset portrait is a classic two location day. North Manitou and South Manitou Islands are separate ferry day trips.

A Note on Light

West facing bluffs and dunes reward late afternoon and sunset, the sand turns gold and the lake deepens to dark blue. Morning on the dunes is cool and quiet with soft light, good for ceremony. Midday in summer is hot with no shade anywhere, bring water and plan around it. Fall foliage in the surrounding beech maple forest peaks mid October, layered with the open dune and lake horizon for compositions no other Great Lakes park offers.

Ceremony Spots at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

• Dune Climb, Lake Michigan Overlook — Climbing a massive sand dune to a panoramic overlook of Lake Michigan's turquoise water and the Manitou Islands
• Empire Bluff Trail — Easy forested hike to a dramatic bluff overlook with sweeping views of South Bar Lake, the dunes, and Lake Michigan