A day spent exploring the route from Traverse City to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and the lively village of Glen Arbor blends iconic Northern Michigan landscapes with laid-back small-town charm.

From scenic dune overlooks and forested hiking trails to artisan roadside stops and time to explore the village, the experience is designed to feel relaxed, flexible, and easy to enjoy at your own pace.

Sleeping Bear Dunes Overlook

Choose Your Own Adventure5 or 6-Hour Tour Itinerary– Drive There (45 Minutes)
– M-72 Handmade Hwy – Stop at a couple of shops along the way.
– SBD Park Headquarters
– Pierce Stock Scenic Drive (2-Hours)
– Village of Glen Arbor (1-Hour)
– Alligator Hill Hike (1-Hour)
– Drive Back (45 Minutes)

Tour Rate: $175 Per Hour for up to 6 guests

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Start & End your Day in Traverse City

Your tour begins with a convenient pickup, allowing you to settle in and enjoy the ride without the stress of planning or navigation.

En Route

Optional Local Stops

Along the way, you can choose to pause and explore a few hidden gems that add personality and depth to your tour. These stops can be visited on the way to the dunes or saved for the return journey.

Arrival

National Park Welcome Stop

Before heading into the heart of the dunes, you’ll stop at the park headquarters to pick up your park pass and get oriented for the experience ahead.

  • Purchase park passes at the visitor center
  • Quick overview of the park layout and highlights
  • Restroom and refresh opportunity before continuing
Highlight

Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive

The centerpiece of the day is the iconic Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, a winding route that showcases some of the most breathtaking views in the Midwest. This is where the landscape truly opens up.

  • Multiple scenic overlooks of Lake Michigan
  • Towering sand dunes and sweeping vistas
  • Opportunities to stop, walk, and take in the views at your own pace
  • A perfect blend of drive-and-stop exploration
Explore

Village of Glen Arbor & Alligator Hill Hike

Add an optional hike up Alligator Hill

Before going to the village of Glen Arbor, we can head over to the Alligator Hill Trail, where you’ll find a quiet forested trail with a steep incline up to panoramic bluff-top views overlooking Lake Michigan and, further down the trail, epic views of Big Glen Lake.

How hard is the hike?

It is easy to moderate highly groomed nature trail. You will walk on gravel, dirt, and sand. You will also encounter hills to walk up. I recommend wearing tennis shoes. The total trail length is 3 to 4.5 miles long, depending on how far you want to go.

The first leg of the trail is 1.5 mile up a moderate incline to the vista that overlooks Sleeping Bear Bay, the Manitou Islands, and Sleeping Bear Point. There is an optional spur over flat land that is about a .75 of a mile to the Big Glen Lake vista. It is an in-and-out trail, so if you visit both vistas, you will hike 4.5 miles.

After your Hike

Enjoy time in the village of Glen Arbor

After experiencing the sweeping landscapes of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the tour continues into the lively village of Glen Arbor. During the summer months, Glen Arbor is often buzzing with visitors enjoying the shops, restaurants and galleries. The atmosphere feels vibrant and distinctly Up North.

Despite the summer energy, Glen Arbor still manages to feel relaxed and welcoming, offering the perfect mix of activity and lakeside charm. It’s an ideal place to slow down after exploring the dunes—whether that means shopping local boutiques, enjoying a glass of wine, or simply soaking in the atmosphere of one of Northern Michigan’s most beloved small towns.

Return

A Flexible Journey Back

As the day winds down, the return to Traverse City remains flexible, giving you the option to revisit a favorite stop or discover something new along the way.

  • Opportunity for additional stops on the return route
  • Time to reflect, relax, and enjoy the scenic drive
  • Drop-off back at your home or hotel

This tour is less about rushing from place to place and more about creating space to experience Northern Michigan in a way that feels personal, unhurried, and memorable—where every stop, view, and detour adds to the story of your day.

View from Alligator Hill

Are you interested in exploring Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park?

Ride in style when you book Atlas for the day.

Tour Rate: $175 Per Hour for up to 6 guests

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