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Looking for endless sandy beaches? What to know about Michigan’s Sleeping Bear Dunes

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Looking for endless sandy beaches? What to know about Michigan’s Sleeping Bear Dunes


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  • The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a popular tourist attraction on the coast of Lake Michigan in northwest Michigan.
  • The national lakeshore features sand, beaches, forests, inland lakes, islands, historic villages and more.
  • Visitors can buy entrance passes online or in person to check out the national lakeshore.

A trip to northwest Michigan this summer can land you at one of Michigan’s national lakeshores, a top attraction for those seeking sweeping views, trails to hike and beaches to relax on.

The popular tourist destination, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, welcomes 1.5 million visitors each year with its expansive sand dunes and sandy beaches, former Life-Saving Service/Coast Guard stations, inland Manitou islands, a historic farm district and coastal village, inland lakes, 1871 lighthouse, forests and campgrounds, according to the National Park Service.

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“The park was established primarily for its outstanding natural features, including forests, beaches, dune formations, and ancient glacial phenomena,” Pure Michigan says.

Michigan’s other national lakeshore is Pictured Rocks, which features the towering Grand Sable Dunes on Lake Superior.

Here’s what to know about Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore.

What is Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore?

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a popular tourist destination and one of two national lakeshores in Michigan.

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Where is Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore?

The lakeshore lies along 35 miles of Lake Michigan’s eastern shoreline in west Michigan northwest of Traverse City. Nearby are the villages of Glen Arbor and Empire. The lakeshore is about 39 miles from Traverse City. M-22 runs north and south along the lakeshore.

How can you visit this season?

To visit the lakeshore, you will need a national parks entrance pass, which you then display on your car. You can buy the pass ahead online or in person at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center.

If you’re planning a camping trip, you’ll need to book a reservation at one of the lakeshore’s campgrounds; you can reserve up to six months in advance.

How much do lakeshore passes cost?

Entrance passes to the lakeshore include a $25 standard pass, with varying prices for larger vehicles; $45 annual pass and America the Beautiful pass at varying prices. There are also seven-day digital passes.

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The America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands pass is $80 for an annual pass, $80 for a senior lifetime pass, $20 for a senior annual pass and free for military annual pass, military lifetime pass, access pass, fourth grade pass, and volunteer pass.

The following will be national park free entrance days in 2025:

  • Juneteenth National Independence Day: June 19
  • Great American Outdoors Acts Anniversary: Aug. 4
  • National Public Lands Day: Sept. 27
  • Veterans Day: Nov. 11

Are there beaches, other activities at the lakeshore?

The national lakeshore offers sand dunes, beaches, trails, inland islands, camping, forests, rivers, inland lakes, a lighthouse and more. The tallest dune is 450 feet.

For those looking to relax near the water, the park offers seven beaches. Platte River Point Beach includes the gently-flowing river’s mouth at Lake Michigan, a popular place for canoers and tubers to pause before loading up for home.

While visiting, you can hike the lakeshore’s various trails, bike the paved heritage trail, swim at the beach, set up camp, navigate the dunes, kayak or tube or canoe the rivers, take a trip to the Manitou Islands, explore historic coastal villages and museums and and more, per the lakeshore website.

What islands are part of the lakeshore?

The lakeshore features two inland islands, the Manitou Islands. The North and South Manitou Islands form part of an island chain spanning north toward the Straits of Mackinac. The islands offer hiking and camping in vast nature and the nearby Manitou Passage State Underwater Preserve to explore shipwrecks.

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North Manitou Island is closed for the 2025 season amid a multi-year project to move the islands’ docks.

On South Manitou Island, there are 10 miles of pebble beaches, a lighthouse, sand dunes, village, over 500-year-old white cedar trees, campgrounds, historic tours and more, per the NPS website.

How can you get to the islands?

The islands are accessible by Manitou Island Transit ferry service from Leland, Michigan or by private boat. The islands do not have food service, stores or medical centers, so come prepared and be aware emergency responders may take hours or days to arrive, depending on weather.

To access the islands, you need an entrance pass to the lakeshore. Pets are not allowed on the islands.

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How many lighthouses are at the lakeshore?

The lakeshore features one lighthouse, located on South Manitou Island. The 100-foot South Manitou Island Lighthouse was in operation from 1871-1958, per the lakeshore’s website.

Previously, North Manitou Island Lighthouse, built in the late 1890s stood, joined by a lightship in 1910, until 1927. The light was replaced by the current North Manitou Shoal Light, an offshore beacon, completed in 1935, according to the North Manitou Light Keepers.

Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.



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Yaxel Lendeborg scores 29 points and No. 2 Michigan stays unbeaten with 101-83 win over Maryland

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Yaxel Lendeborg scores 29 points and No. 2 Michigan stays unbeaten with 101-83 win over Maryland


COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — Yaxel Lendeborg had 29 points, a career-best nine assists and eight rebounds, and No. 2 Michigan rallied from a nine-point deficit Saturday night to defeat Maryland 101-83.

Aday Mara scored 18 points for the Wolverines (10-0, 2-0 Big Ten), who overcame a halftime deficit for the second time this season and the first since they beat TCU on Nov. 14.

Michigan scored 100 points for the fourth time in five games.

Diggy Coit made eight 3-pointers and scored 31 points for the Terrapins (6-5, 0-2), who lost center Pharrel Payne to a right leg injury late in the first half and forward Solomon Washington to ejection after he picked up his second technical foul early in the second half.

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Coit scored nine of Maryland’s first 10 points and 22 before the break, helping to prevent Michigan from opening a lead larger than six in the first half.

The Terps lost Payne, their leading scorer at 18.7 points a game, with 4:36 remaining before halftime. Yet Maryland stretched its lead from one to 50-45 at the midpoint, then expanded it to 56-47 on Elijah Saunders’ 3.

Washington, who had a first-half technical for celebrating a 3 in front of the Michigan bench, was called for a delay-of-game technical just after Saunders’ basket. His departure left the Terps without their two most experienced and imposing interior players.

Lendeborg took advantage, scoring the next eight points. Mara’s dunk with 14 minutes left made it 64-63 and gave the Wolverines the lead for good.

Elliot Cadeau’s layup with 21.2 seconds remaining got the Wolverines to 100 points for the fifth time this season.

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Up next

Michigan hosts La Salle on Dec. 21.

Maryland visits No. 24 Virginia on Dec. 20.

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Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

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Aquinas College expands automatic acceptance to 2 more West Michigan high schools

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Aquinas College expands automatic acceptance to 2 more West Michigan high schools


GRAND RAPIDS, MI – After beginning a direct admittance program at one West Michigan high school in November, Aquinas College has now expanded the program to cover more classrooms.

The guaranteed admission program, first implemented for graduates of West Catholic High School with a 2.0 GPA or above, has now been expanded to Catholic Central High School in Grand Rapids and Muskegon Catholic Central High School.

The partnership will apply to students from all three schools entering college in the fall of 2026.

The direct admission program was described by Aquinas College leaders as offering high school students a “clear path to college success” while also continuing to develop partnerships.

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Aquinas College, a private Catholic liberal arts institution located at 1700 Fulton St. E, was founded by the Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids in 1886.

The college has enrolled 1,262 students during the 2025-26 academic year, and its new student numbers are up, with 419 new students on campus this fall, up from 311 in 2024-25.

The college’s overall enrollment total is just slightly under the approximately 1,300 students Aquinas recorded across its campus in 2023-24, according to a press release sent out in January 2025.

This year’s partnership announcements do not mark Aquinas’ first direct admittance deal.

The college also has a direct admit bachelor’s in nursing partnership with the University of Detroit Mercy, which allows students to take core curriculum courses at Aquinas and nursing classes from Detroit Mercy faculty.

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On Nov. 14, Aquinas announced its direct admittance deal with West Catholic High School.

The school, located at 1801 Bristol Ave. NW, enrolled just over 500 students as of the 2024-25 school year, according to an online school profile.

West Catholic President and CEO Jill Wierzbicki said the initiative simplifies the college application process and offers students a straightforward path to higher education.

On Nov. 20, Aquinas then announced it had also partnered with Grand Rapids’ Catholic Central High School, 319 Sheldon Blvd SE, which enrolls 567 students and is the oldest co-educational diocesan Catholic high school in the nation.

Brian Matzke, vice president for enrollment management, said there’s “no doubt that Aquinas here has had more graduates from Catholic Central than any other school in our history.”

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On Dec. 10, the college announced another partnership deal with Muskegon Catholic Central High School, 1145 W Laketon Ave., which enrolled just under 300 students in 2023-24, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Jerry McDowell, Muskegon Catholic Central president, said both the high school and Aquinas share a “deep commitment to developing the whole student — academically, spiritually, and individually.

“This direct-admit program provides our graduates with an exceptional opportunity to transition confidently into higher education while maintaining the Catholic values that guide their formation,” McDowell said.

Aquinas’ listed price for traditional undergraduate tuition is $41,192, according to senior director of strategic communications Dave DeJonge.

Students are eligible for annual merit scholarships between $15,000-$25,000, depending on their GPA and housing status. Additional scholarships may be available. This applies to all students who are admitted to Aquinas.

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Matzke highlighted the direct admittance program’s easy transition from one West Michigan school to another, with those accepted to Aquinas able to live on campus or commute from home depending on what best fits their needs.

He also said a growing Grand Rapids job market, combined with support from the college’s career center, contributes to a 97% placement rate for graduates.



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Legal experts question University of Michigan’s role after charges against former HC Sherrone Moore

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Legal experts question University of Michigan’s role after charges against former HC Sherrone Moore


WASHTENAW COUNTY, Mich. – Former Michigan Wolverines head football coach Sherrone Moore appeared in court Friday on charges of stalking, home invasion, and breaking and entering, just days after being fired from his position.

The 39-year-old coach, who has no prior criminal history, was terminated by the university on Wednesday following an investigation that uncovered evidence of an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.

According to prosecutors, the charges stem from an incident that occurred after the victim, a University of Michigan staff member, ended her relationship with Moore on Monday (Dec. 8).

Following the breakup, Moore allegedly made numerous unwanted calls and texts to the victim.

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The situation escalated on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2025, when Moore allegedly forced his way into the victim’s Pittsfield Township apartment.

Prosecutors say he grabbed kitchen utensils and threatened to take his own life, allegedly telling the victim, “My blood is on your hands.”

“The totality of the behavior is highly threatening and highly intimidating. She was terrorized, your honor,” a prosecutor told the court during Friday’s arraignment.

Defense attorney Joseph Simon pushed back on prosecutors’ claims that Moore could be a threat to public safety.

“My client’s 39 years old, with zero prior criminal history, zero prior contact with the criminal justice system in any fashion,” Simon stated.

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Attorney Todd Flood, who practices both criminal defense and civil litigation, said the fallout within the university could continue depending on when the organization was first alerted about the relationship and how university athletic officials first responded.

“What did they know, when did they know it, and what did they do about it when they found out? Those are going to be the three major questions,” Flood said.

“The university could possibly have some culpability there, that they didn’t put a stop to this,” noted Flood, adding that the victim may have grounds to pursue action against both the university and Moore.

Flood said the stalking charge against Moore likely stems from a documented pattern of harassment.

“When there is a position where he is harassing, either via text messages, harassing via telephone calls, social media content, or showing up at a place where he doesn’t belong,” Flood said. “Those stalking charges are ones where you can show that pattern of conduct.”

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“He’s ultimately going to probably plead this case out, under some sort of either misdemeanor, or something that gives probation,” Flood said.

Moore posted his $25,000 bond Friday.

As part of his bond conditions, he must wear a GPS tether, undergo mental health treatment, and have no contact with the victim.

He is scheduled to appear in court in person on Jan. 22.

–> Jim Harbaugh talks Sherrone Moore’s firing, arrest after former Michigan football understudy posts bond

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