Some ideas take time to come together, and this one has been in the works long before Atlas, my vintage VW bus, ever hit the road. The Sleeping Bear Dunes Tour is a new Wander with Direction experience built around one of Northern Michigan’s most iconic drives, and this year, it finally became possible in a very real way!

At the center of the tour is Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, a 7.4-mile loop within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. With a rare commercial use permit secured, I’m now able to guide guests along this route, something that isn’t widely available, and share it in a way that feels relaxed, personal, and unhurried.

We follow the winding road through forest and dunes, stopping at overlooks that stretch out across Glen Lake and Lake Michigan. The views are expansive, but it’s the in-between moments are lovely too, the quiet curves of the road, the shifting light, the feeling of being surrounded by this unique landscape.

Riding in Atlas is part of what makes the experience special. As a 23-window Brazilian Samba Deluxe VW bus with an open-air sunroof, it invites you to take it all in, the breeze, the warmth of the sun, and that unmistakable fresh scent coming off Lake Michigan. There’s something about the “Big Lake” air—it’s clean, a little crisp, and somehow resets you the moment you notice it.

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Guests also have the option to add on a guided National Park hike

This a wonderful option to experience the dunes in a deeper way. Depending on the day and your interest, we can explore trails like Empire Bluff, Pyramid Point, Alligator Hill, or the Dunes Trail, along with less-traveled options like Shauger Hill, Cottonwood, Bayview, and Kettles—each offering its own perspective of the landscape.

Empire Bluffs Trail View

This tour offers guests a unique way to enjoy an iconic and beautiful drive through Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park.

Work with me to craft a custom private tour.

We can add on a hike or other nearby stops in and around the villages like Empire and Glen Arbor.

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