Discover how Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes’ adaptive equipment helped Kate and her family experience a beach walk and bike ride together, creating meaningful memories and new possibilities for an accessible adventure at Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes’ PSAR volunteers made nearly 50,000 visitor contacts this season, providing safety education, 59 hiker assists, and support during more than 13 search-and-rescue incidents across Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

Meet Japhet Hoff, Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes’ new Program and Volunteer Coordinator. Learn how his journey from intern to staff member will help strengthen volunteer programs, trail maintenance, accessibility, and conservation efforts across Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

FOSBD Executive Director Laura Ann Johnson recently set out on a fall adventure at Sleeping Bear Dunes with her kids, exploring the park’s historic orchards and picking apples along the way. What began as a simple outing became a memorable family adventure.

2026 was a great year for Great Lakes piping plovers: their numbers reached 99 pairs, with Sleeping Bear Dunes supporting about one-third of the population. That’s the largest year-to-year increase in more than 20 years! Thanks to Park Service conservation teams and Friends volunteers, these endangered shorebirds are starting to make a comeback.

For Griessmeyer, the Sleeping Bear Marathon is all about pairing an unforgettable fall race with meaningful support for Sleeping Bear Dunes. Through their partnership with the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes, every participant's journey directly funds trail improvements, leaving a lasting legacy across the park.

Recent emergency responses at Sleeping Bear Dunes prove how life-saving equipment, specialized training, and strong partnerships help rangers act when every second counts.

With over 3,000 volunteer hours logged for Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes, Bunny and Jim Hickey embody true community stewardship. From Bunny connecting with cyclists on the Heritage Trail to Jim guiding visitors at the Dune Climb, this Empire couple has dedicated decades to protecting and sharing the park they love. Discover their inspiring journey of giving back.

Why do I love volunteering as a Trail Ambassador? From swapping trail stories and helping visitors navigate the park to spending my days outdoors doing what I love, it’s pure joy—come see how you can get involved or support our trail programs today!

A simple hike at Alligator Hill became one of our family's most meaningful memories. Thanks to the Friends' Accessibility Program and a Track Chair, my 84-year-old grandpa was able to experience the trail again, reminding us that everyone deserves the chance to explore the beauty of Sleeping Bear.

Beyond the scenic drive lies the real adventure. Discover how a park ranger’s brother experienced true trail freedom—and why our track chair program is transforming access at Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Looking for a quieter trail in the Park? Check out the Platte Plains for a variety of views, from woods to inland lakes. You’ll even see trees cut down by beavers.

On the morning of July 4th, Good Morning America broadcast live from Pierce Stocking Drive right here at Sleeping Bear Dunes! While they were here, they sat down with our Executive Director, Laura Ann Johnson, and Accessibility Coordinator, Chris Timm, to talk about our work making the park accessible to everyone.

The Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes is expanding its role with the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail by assuming fiduciary stewardship of its maintenance funds from TART Trails. Learn how this natural evolution helps ensure year-round care and access for all 22 miles of the trail for years to come.

Under a perfect sunny sky and serenaded by a local loon, fifteen wonderful volunteers joined together for a beach cleanup at Good Harbor, turning a morning of hard work into a beautiful celebration of community and habitat care.

We are absolutely thrilled and incredibly proud to share that our amazing Preventative Search and Rescue (PSAR) volunteers were featured nationally on NPR and the iconic storytelling show This American Life in their episode "Maximal Americanness"!

Your donation have equipped park rangers with advanced new water testing technology, ensuring faster water quality updates and stronger protection against invasive species to keep our favorite beaches healthy all summer long.

Tucker Lake Boardwalk under construction on the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail.

What began as a chance encounter and an unexpected ferry delay on South Manitou Island in 1979 turned into a lifetime of shared memories for Donna and Mike Flynn. Discover how Sleeping Bear Dunes set the stage for their decades-long love story and why they continue to give back to the park today.

Join Amy at Glen Haven on Fridays at 10 AM for beach yoga. Classes are donation-based ($15–$25 suggested) to benefit both her business and the Friends. Note for returning participants: All donations will now be paid directly to Amy instead of the Friends. Grab a towel and enjoy the best studio nature has to offer!