Anchor at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

A MUST-STOP! Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is one of only three National Lakeshores in the entire country. And you can drop the hook right there!

As huge fans of our National Parks, this anchorage had been on our radar since before we began the Loop!

Unfortunately we only had favorable winds for one night, but we made the most of it! We rode the dinghy to shore and explored.

While we were there, South Manitou Island was undergoing construction and both the Visitor’s Center and lighthouse complex were closed.

“The National Park Service is relocating the docks on both islands to safer, more sheltered locations. This project addresses damage caused by storms, shifting sand, and high-water levels. It also includes repairing historic buildings and replacing failing infrastructure. Safety and resource protection are the top priorities. For these reasons, all facilities, docks, and utilities on both islands will remain closed until the work is complete.“

The working barge was moored right in the best spot to anchor! But we dropped the hook in ~25′ of water, just before the abrupt shelf, and it held like a champ.