In some areas of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan, the sandy bluffs tower as high as 450 feet above Lake Michigan. Luckily, stairs and trails make it easier for you to get down to the cool, blue waters and dynamic shoreline. The beaches and bluffs along Lake Michigan and around North and South Manitou Islands are always changing. The steep sandy faces occasionally slide tons of sand into Lake Michigan which is quickly whisked up or down the coast by the almost constant wave actions. Observations like this make Sleeping Bear Dunes not only a place to admire the beauty of nature, but also its power. Photo by National Park Service.

Indiana Dunes National Park in Indiana lies at the southern tip of Lake Michigan. With a surface area of over 22,000 square miles, Lake Michigan provides habitat for a wide variety of fish, birds and aquatic organisms. This truly “great” lake also provides food, recreation, transportation and water for drinking, industry and agriculture, serving more than 10 million people living within its watershed. Bordering these important waters, beaches, grass and tree covered dune ridges, oak savannas and picturesque prairies all come together to form the tapestry of this wonderful park. Photo by Rafi Wilkinson, National Park Service.

Get some gratification from a little elevation. There are so many excellent views at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan. Along the lakeshore, overlooks at the Sleeping Bear, Empire and Pyramid Point bluffs stand 400 feet above water. On the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, the North Bar Lake Overlook offers a vista over the forest and beyond to Lake Michigan. It looks particularly good in November. Photo by National Park Service.

Located on the little finger of Michigan, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore includes 65 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and numerous inland lakes and streams. Of course, the park’s most dramatic features are the 400-foot-tall sandy bluffs that slope down to the lake’s cool, blue waters. Visitors can enjoy epics views of Lake Michigan, canoe on one of the many inland lakes, hike the myriad of trails through the lovely forests or visit the Manitou Islands. It’s all just part of a wonderful opportunity for bird watching, wildlife viewing and enjoying nature at its best. Photo by National Park Service.

Last month, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore was redesignated as America’s 61st national park. Located in northwest Indiana, the park includes 15 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and 15,000 acres of beaches, woods, prairies and marshes. If you love sand, surf and sun, start planning your visit to Indiana Dunes National Park. Photo by Rafi Wilkinson, National Park Service.

There is no one-size-fits-all trip to Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Each season offers new and different ways to enjoy the park. Spring splashes the riverbanks and shoreline with an abundance of colorful wildflowers. Summers are all about fun in the sun and on the sand. In the fall, Maple trees burst with warm red and golden hues crafting a spectacular backdrop for a hike by Lake Michigan and winter brings a scenic canvas of white snow begging for cross-country skiing. Photo by Rafi Wilkinson, National Park Service.

After a thrilling day of hiking, biking, fishing, boating and birdwatching, settle into the sand at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and watch the sunset over Lake Michigan. The colorful skies and breaking waves make this a perfect summer experience. Photo by Rafi Wilkerson, National Park Service.

Do you want to take a sunset stroll by Lake Michigan? Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan offers 65 miles of shoreline and endless views of the lake. Although the lakeshore is long and narrow, it still has excellent forests, wetlands, lakes and streams where visitors have a wonderful opportunity for canoeing, hiking, bird watching, wildlife viewing and enjoying nature at its best. Photo by Lorie D'Elia (www.sharetheexperience.org).

Snow covers the sand at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in Indiana. Winter wind kicks up waves from Lake Michigan, rolling chunks of ice and snow onto the beach. Under a colorful sunrise sky with the Chicago skyline visible in the distance, the wonder of this special park is undeniable. Photo by National Park Service.

Perched on bluffs 400 feet above Lake Michigan, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan is a great place for lake vistas and sunset viewing. With 65 miles of shoreline and numerous inland lakes and streams, the park is perfect for lovers of aquatic fun. Put it on your summer bucketlist! Photo by Ben Wynsma (www.sharetheexperience.org).