The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore recently made the difficult decision to pause the Pathway to Good Harbor project after careful deliberation with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. The Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail (SBHT) project partners respect this decision-making process, though disappointed by this outcome.
This 4.5-mile pathway represents a critical step in creating a connected, safe, and immersive trail system that links communities, landscapes, and history within one of the nation’s most cherished natural areas. The Pathway to Good Harbor isn’t just a local priority; it’s part of a broader vision for responsible access and regional connectivity.
The vision for this trail was born from community support for safe access to the Lakeshore’s invaluable resources, the opportunities a trail provides for health and wellness, and the environmental exploration it encourages. The project partners continue to believe in the importance of the SBHT and the future of regional trail projects throughout Leelanau County.
If you have any questions please contact 231.941.4300.
Since 2001, community partners have worked together to create a non-motorized trailway system that is connected to historical, cultural, recreational, and environmental points of interest throughout the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore and surrounding communities. Designated a Pure Michigan® trail, the Heritage Trail promotes health, environmental, social, and economic benefits and provides a safe place for walking, biking, running, and cross-country skiing.
Built on ancestral land of the Anishinaabe people, there are over 21 miles of trail and shared roadway on the ground today, which are universally accessible wherever possible. The trail connects Lakeshore amenities and attractions such as Glen Haven, DH Day Campground, the Dune Climb, and the Port Oneida Historic District. Most of the trail is asphalt, but a 3-mile section which goes through the Port Oneida Rural Historic District north of Glen Arbor is crushed stone, and there is also a boardwalk section over Lake Narada.
