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!
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!
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.”
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
Side note!
Clothes to buy on Amazon for your outdoor adventures!
- Lightweight quick-dry hiking shorts (comfortable shorts that are good for movement!)
- for women: hiking shorts | for men: hiking shorts
- Lightweight quick-dry hiking pants
- for women: hiking pants | for men: hiking pants
- capris for women
- Easy-to-pack rain gear (instead of a proper rain jacket)
😴 Search for cheap hotels!
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 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.
🌳
Read the reviews and compare prices at partner websites!
Where to stay
- Traverse City: Bayshore Resort (Day trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore)
- Mackinaw City: Baymont by Wyndham or Beach House Lakeside Cottages
- St Ignace: Best Western Harbour Pointe Lakefront or Moosewood Inn or(UP side of the Mackinac Bridge)
- Munising: The Beach Inn Motel or Scotty's Motel (Day trip to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore)
- Marquette: Hampton Inn Marquette (waterfront)
- Keweenaw Peninsula: Country Inn & Suites by Radisson in Houghton or AmericInn by Wyndham in Calumet
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Now…
More PHOTOS of what you’ll see at Pyramid Point!
And getting there
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.)
Once you start getting closer, you’ll start to see signs for Pyramid Point Trail and this will take you to the parking lot.
There is a toilet at the parking lot.
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!
And that’s a bit about going to Pyramid Point!
More of the best places to see sand dunes in Sleeping Bear Dunes:
- Empire Bluff Trail
- Lake Michigan Overlook
- Dune Climb Trail
- Sleeping Bear Point Trail
- Cottonwood Trail
- Old Indian Trail
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!
Top places to visit in Michigan:
- Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
- Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
- Upper Peninsula Michigan
- Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
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