Our signature Sleeping Bear Dunes Tour (M-22 Adventure Tour) allows you to experience and explore the National Park like never before. We supply all the gear, do the driving, and even feed you twice! Your group will have an adventure that you’ll always remember.
This adventure takes you on a biking, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding tour through the most iconic stretches of M-22 and the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Hop in, as our custom adventure buses depart from Downtown Traverse City. First stop, Kayaking at the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes in Empire, MI, where you’ll experience magnificent sand bluffs and Caribbean-like blue seas. Local cuisine will be provided once off the water. Next, strap on your helmet as we blaze a trail from Empire to Glen Arbor, MI. The beautiful Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail is a smooth-winding bike path that takes you through 10-miles of breathtaking forests, dunes, and coastline. The bike ride ends at the base of the famous Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes (Dune Climb), where your paddleboards are waiting for you on Little Glen Lake. Paddle out, and experience the colossal size of the Dune Climb from its best vantage point. After paddleboarding across Little Glen Lake, we head to Northern Michigan’s premier outdoor craft brewery, “Hop Lot Brewing Co.” Sit fireside, under the stars as you enjoy a delicious handcrafted meal and beverage of your choice. Stay a while, as we discuss the highlights of the day as a group of new and acquainted friends! Drop off in Downtown Traverse City immediately following dinner. Our guests have the option to opt-out of any of the activities, where a less physically demanding option provides for your comfort level.
Pickup/ Drop Location
Grand Traverse Commons, Traverse City, MI
Times
Pick Up: 10am
Drop Off: ~8:30pm
Durration
10.5-11 hours
Difficulty
Included Food
Snacks, Water & Soft Drinks, Lunch (Sandwich Baskets), Dinner at Hop Lot Brewing Company
After loading up at the pick up location in Traverse City, we will drive 30 minutes west to Empire, MI to start our first adventure. After unloading the Kayaks, we will paddle 3.5 miles north along the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes from Esch Beach to Empire Beach in Downtown Empire, MI. This process will take about 1.5-2 hours.
On bad weather days where the water in Lake Michigan is too rough, we will alternate to a 2 hour paddle down the Platte River. Life vests are provided for this activity. Basket Lunches will be provided once off the water!
Durration
1.5 - 2 hours
Distance
Approx. 3.5 miles
Lunch
Custom ordered sandwich box
After having lunch on Empire Beach, your specialized mountain bike will be unloaded by your guides, and awaiting your presence! From downtown Empire, you will have a short bike ride to the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, where you will then bike 10-11 miles through beautiful terrain to the base of the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes (Dune Climb). Don’t worry, there will be numerous rest stops, and picture locations along the way! From start to finish, this process will take about 1.5-2 hours. Helmets will be provided for this activity. If you decide to opt out of this activity, You will have the option to ride with the driver to the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes, and hike the famous Dune Climb!
Durration
1.5 - 2 hours
Distance
Approx. 10-11 miles
At the end of the Sleeping Bear Heritage Bike Trail, you will arrive at Little Glen Lake, where you will find your 11’ 6’’ Atoll Paddle Boards unloaded and ready to go. You will then paddle 2 miles across the crystal clear waters with the famous Sleeping Bear Dune Climb as your backdrop. Ending the paddle at a boat launch site on the east side of the lake, where your driver will be awaiting your arrival with high fives all around! Life vests will be provided for this activity. After loading up, we will travel north on on M-22, stopping at Hop Lot Brewing Co in Sutton’s Bay, MI for dinner and drinks! You will be provided with one free dinner token on us. As we wind down from a long day, we will discuss the highlights of the adventures over dinner and drinks, while enjoying an outdoor bonfire, and sometimes live music!
Durration
1.5 - 2 hours
Distance
1.5 - 2 miles
Dinner
1 dinner token at Hop Lot
Be ready with your gear and a good breakfast. We are going to be on the move the entire day! Make sure the electronic waiver/lunch form is completed during booking process.
We will have a 30 minute drive to Empire, MI, where we will play local trivia on the bus!
We will kayak along the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes, heading north 3.5 miles to Empire Beach.
We will eat lunch on the beach in Empire or at the mouth of the Platte River
Your custom lunch baskets will be waiting once off the water!
Food catered by The Empire Village Inn
We will traverse 10-11 miles through beautiful scenery on the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail!
Alternate activity: Hike the Dune Climb
Paddle Board 2 miles throughout Little Glen Lake with the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes as your backdrop!
Once off the water, we will load the Paddle Boards in the trailer.
This is a good time to change into fresh clothes.
We will have a 30-35 minute drive to Hop Lot Brewing Co in Sutton’s Bay, MI and continue trivia/games on the bus!
You will be provided with one free dinner token for your meal at Hop Lot in Sutton’s Bay, MI!
A short 30 minute drive back to the drop off location in Traverse City to finish the day!
Winner of trivia will receive a SBAC Custom T-Shirt!