Hi there!
Glen Haven beach is a nice Lake Michigan beach in Glen Haven village.
Glen Haven village is a historic “town” in Sleeping Bear Dunes.
It’s no longer really a real town, but it’s a spot you can go to see Michigan history.
There are many Lake Michigan beaches you can visit in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and Glen Haven Beach is one of them!
There is easy access to the beach, and it’s at the end of a historic village in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
More for your Sleeping Bear Dunes trip beyond Glen Haven village
If you’re interested in Glen Haven village, you may also be interested in these things around Sleeping Bear Dunes:
- Sleeping Bear Inn
- Dune Climb
- Port Oneida Rural Historic District
- Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive
- Cannery Boathouse Museum
- Lake Michigan overlook
- Sleeping Bear Point
- Platte River Point
- Alligator Hill Trail
- Things to do in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (for VIEWS!)
Glen Haven Beach parking
There is a parking lot directly next to the beach.
If the parking lot is full, people park along the side of the road that leads to Sleeping Bear Point.
Cost to visit Glen Haven Beach
The beach (and the historic village) is officially a part of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
It’s listed near the beach that an “entrance permit is required.” There’s no one actively monitoring the Glen Haven Beach area but it’s still a good thing to have a Sleeping Bear Dunes park pass or another kind of national park pass when visiting Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore!
You can get a park pass at the Sleeping Bear Dunes visitor center (15 minute drive from the beach), or there are a number of self-pay stations throughout the park, including at the Maritime Museum that’s down the road from the beach.
In 2020, a one week pass is $25. See current fees here, where you can also buy your pass online.
Things to do near Glen Haven Beach
aka ideas for planning out a perfect day in Sleeping Bear Dunes that includes a Lake Michigan beach!
Note in summer 2020 the museums and buildings are closed due to health safety reasons. You can still walk around the grounds to look around, but you can’t go inside. Check the National Park Service website for current updates.
1. Cannery Boat Museum (Glen Haven canning company)
This is a historic site. If you’ve been doing research on your Sleeping Bear Dunes visit, you may have seen it. This is located practically right at the beach and you can’t miss it.
It’s a landmark to know the location of the Glen Haven beach!
2. Glen Haven historic village
You can walk down a street in Glen Haven village that has historic buildings that have been preserved so you can learn about the history of what the area used to be. You’ll pass this as you’re driving to the beach so you can’t miss it.
The beach is basically at the end of the road of this street.
3. Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail
The Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail extends for around 20 miles and there are many spots that you can pick it up, including near Glen Haven Beach.
A common activity is to ride a bike along the trail. So bring your bike along on your trip, and ride the trail from Glen Haven for a few miles! Then, you can head to the beach after your bike workout!
4. Maritime Museum (US Life Saving Service)
The Maritime Museum is about a 2 minute drive from the beach. This is another historic site. This was run by what would have been considered the US Coast Guard of the time. There is beach access here as well.
Depending on how many people are at Glen Haven Beach, you may try the beach at the museum too. This will likely be a quieter beach, especially if the museum is closed.
5. Sleeping Bear Point Trail
Make it a hike and beach day! Sleeping Bear Point is just past the Maritime Museum, so maybe it’s a 3-4 minute drive from Glen Haven Beach.
This trail will be a hike across sand dunes with grand views of Lake Michigan. If the full loop seems like a bit much for you, at least start on it so you can get those grand views. That will be the first part of the trail.
There is also beach access here, but you’ll be hiking to the beach, maybe 10-15 minutes across sand from the parking lot. There are no beach facilities here.
So you can go for a hike, and then follow it up with beach time at either here or Glen Haven Beach! Perfect day!
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And now…
More PHOTOS of Glen Haven Beach!
And that’s a bit about making a visit to Glen Haven Beach and the area!
See the list of more Lake Michigan beaches in Sleeping Bear Dunes!
See the best of Sleeping Bear Dunes.
More Lake Michigan beaches in Michigan:
Plus, see the best of Michigan’s national lakeshores.
HAPPY VISIT TO GLEN HAVEN BEACH!
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