Hi there!

So a hike to Pyramid Point is one of the great hikes in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore!

The highlight of the Pyramid Point Trail is that it’s a hike to a Lake Michigan overlook with views of the Manitou Islands!

I did a hike to Pyramid Point, and here is what you need to know, along with my pictures!

 

pyramid point. sleeping bear dunes hike, michigan hiking near traverse city

 

 

Trail distance to the Lake Michigan overlook

From the Pyramid Point trailhead, it’s listed that it’s around 0.6 miles to see Lake Michigan. So this would make it around a 1.2 mile hike round trip. 

The trail is a little hilly through a forest, and your total hiking time might be around 30-40 minutes.

And the entire hike might take more time depending on how much time you spend at the overlook! 

 

Pyramid Point Trail how much time. Sleeping bear dunes. Northern Michigan travel blog

Pyramid Point Trail how much time. Sleeping bear dunes. Northern Michigan travel blog
That water color of Lake Michigan!!!

 

You can also make it a longer hike, as there’s also a loop trail that you can add on.

That would make it around a 2.7 mile hike in which you’ll go through some “meadows.”

 

 

Location of Pyramid Point

The 2 main towns of Sleeping Bear Dunes are Glen Arbor and Empire.

This trail is closer to Glen Arbor on the northern side of the park.

And if you’re camping on this side of the park, it’s just a couple of minutes of driving away.

So it’s a hike kind of near DH Day campground, around a 15 minute drive.

 

 

Cost to hike Pyramid Point Trail

Pyramid Point is officially a part of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

It’s listed at the trailhead that this is a National Park Service “fee area” and that an “entrance permit is required.”

 

Pyramid Point Trail cost, national park fees for sleeping bear dunes national lakeshore. North Michigan travel blog

 

There’s no one actively monitoring the Pyramid Point Trail, 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 (30 minute drive from the trail) that will be on the way to Pyramid Point if you’re driving up from the south on M-22. Or there are a number of self-pay stations throughout the park.

In 2023, a 7-day Sleeping Bear Dunes pass is $25. There is no one-day pass. See current fees here, where you can also buy your pass online.

 

 

Another note from the National Park Service

Pyramid Point sand dunes to Lake Michigan. Sleeping bear dunes. Northern Michigan travel blog



Side note! Check the reviews at partner websites included below!

How to save money on your trip

I use hotels.com to look for the cheapest hotels. You can also try the expedia hotels site (good for car rentals too) or see if you like any of the vrbo vacation rentals or cottages.

Munising is the major gateway town of Pictured Rocks. Look at Boarders Inn and Suites that has very good reviews, or the Au Train Motel that has okay reviews but is cheaper.

In Marquette, take a look at the Days Inn Wyndham.

Or, go camping in Pictured Rocks (book early!) or look for more Upper Peninsula campgrounds.

Empire is the small gateway town for Sleeping Bear Dunes, and Traverse City is "big" city nearby. (Look for hotels near Sleeping Bear Dunes.)

Or, go camping in Sleeping Bear Dunes.

/end side note


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Once you get to the overlook, there’s a steep hill of sand here that goes all the way down to Lake Michigan.

You’re officially requested not to go down these sand dunes, for the reasons of preventing erosion as well as for safety.

 

 

Dogs on Pyramid Point Trail

Pyramid Point Trail - pet-friendly, dog-friendly hiking trail in sleeping bear dunes hike. North Michigan travel blog

 

Pyramid Point Trail is a dog-friendly hiking trail in Sleeping Bear Dunes, as long as you keep your dog on a leash.

Read more about pets in Sleeping Bear Dunes and where you can go with your dog, and to make sure this information is still current! 

 

 

For the best pictures, try to go to Pyramid Point on a sunny day!

If you are looking for the perfect picture (aka really amazing water color), then it’s best to go hiking to Pyramid Point when the sun is out to see the color of the lake at its best. 

You can check weather for Glen Arbor MI.

The pictures you see in this post were taken around 1pm in August 2020 on a sunny and clear day.

 

 

🌳

 

 

 

Now…

More PHOTOS of what you’ll see at Pyramid Point!

And getting there

Pyramid Point Trail to Lake Michigan overlook hike. best hikes in Sleeping bear dunes national lakeshore. Northern Michigan travel blog

 

So for google maps, Pyramid Point Trailhead as your destination will get you there.

You’ll be driving through Port Oneida rural historic district, an area preserved by Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and it will feel a bit like driving through rural America! (A little bit.)

 

Getting to Pyramid Point trailhead start of hiking trail - port oneida rural historic district farms drive. sleeping bear dunes. North Michigan travel blog

Getting to Pyramid Point trailhead start of hiking trail - drive. sleeping bear dunes. North Michigan travel blog

Getting to Pyramid Point trailhead start of hiking trail - port oneida rural historic district farms drive. sleeping bear dunes. North Michigan travel blog

 

Once you start getting closer, you’ll start to see signs for Pyramid Point Trail and this will take you to the parking lot. 

 

Getting to Pyramid Point trailhead start of hiking trail - drive. sleeping bear dunes. North Michigan travel blog

Getting to Pyramid Point trailhead start of hiking trail - drive. sleeping bear dunes. North Michigan travel blog

Getting to Pyramid Point trailhead start of hiking trail - drive. sleeping bear dunes. North Michigan travel blog

Pyramid Point Trail parking lot. sleeping bear dunes. North Michigan travel blog

Pyramid Point Trail start trailhead. sleeping bear dunes. North Michigan travel blog

 

There is a toilet at the parking lot.

 

Pyramid Point Trail toilet. sleeping bear dunes. North Michigan travel blog

 

And you’ll see the trail from the parking lot, and then you can get started on your hike through a forest to see Lake Michigan!

 

Pyramid Point Trail start trailhead. sleeping bear dunes. North Michigan travel blog

Pyramid Point Trail forest hike. sleeping bear dunes. North Michigan travel blog

Pyramid Point Trail forest hike. sleeping bear dunes. North Michigan travel blog

Pyramid Point Trail forest hike. sleeping bear dunes. North Michigan travel blog

Pyramid Point Trail forest hike. sleeping bear dunes. North Michigan travel blog

Pyramid Point Trail forest hike. sleeping bear dunes. North Michigan travel blog

Pyramid Point Trail to Lake Michigan. Sleeping bear dunes national lakeshore park hiking trails, hikes, overlook. Northern Michigan travel blog

Pyramid Point Trail to Lake Michigan. Sleeping bear dunes national lakeshore park hiking trails, hikes, overlook. Northern Michigan travel blog

Pyramid Point Trail to Lake Michigan. Sleeping bear dunes national lakeshore park hiking trails, hikes, overlook. Northern Michigan travel blog

Pyramid Point Trail to Lake Michigan. Sleeping bear dunes national lakeshore park hiking trails, hikes, overlook. Northern Michigan travel blog

Pyramid Point Trail to Lake Michigan. Sleeping bear dunes national lakeshore park hiking trails, hikes, overlook. Northern Michigan travel blog

Pyramid Point Trail to Lake Michigan. Sleeping bear dunes national lakeshore park hiking trails, hikes, overlook. Northern Michigan travel blog

Pyramid Point Trail to Lake Michigan. Sleeping bear dunes national lakeshore park hiking trails, hikes, overlook. Northern Michigan travel blog

Pyramid Point Trail to Lake Michigan. Sleeping bear dunes national lakeshore park hiking trails, hikes, overlook. Northern Michigan travel blog

Pyramid Point Trail to Lake Michigan. Sleeping bear dunes national lakeshore park hiking trails, hikes, overlook. Northern Michigan travel blog

Pyramid Point Trail to Lake Michigan. Sleeping bear dunes national lakeshore park hiking trails, hikes, overlook. Northern Michigan travel blog

 

 

 

And that’s a bit about going to Pyramid Point!

 

More of the best places to see sand dunes in Sleeping Bear Dunes:

Also see some of the great hikes in Sleeping Bear Dunes, including hikes to a Lake Michigan beach!

Plus the best of Michigan’s national lakeshores!

 

HAPPY HIKING TO PYRAMID POINT!

 

Pyramid Point Trail to Lake Michigan overlook to see Manitou Islands. best hikes in Sleeping bear dunes national lakeshore park. Northern Michigan travel blog

Pyramid Point Trail to Lake Michigan overlook to see Manitou Islands. best hikes in Sleeping bear dunes national lakeshore park. Northern Michigan travel blog

Pyramid Point Trail to Lake Michigan overlook to see Manitou Islands. best hikes in Sleeping bear dunes national lakeshore park. Northern Michigan travel blog

 

 

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