Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Have you ever wanted to try snowshoeing but didn't know where to start? Rangers are here to help. Come get an informal lesson and borrow a pair of snowshoes to break your own trail. Modern and traditional wooden snowshoes are available in adult and youth sizes. Hikes will start at the base of the Dune Climb and cover flat terrain (no dune climbing required). Each week will feature a different self-guided activity to go with the hike. The program and use of snowshoes is free with a valid park pass.   Saturdays, Jan 24 – Feb 28 11 am - 3 pm Checkout snowshoes and receive instructions at the Dune Climb's Dune Center Garage. Last checkout is at 2:30 pm. Snowshoes must remain in the general vicinity of the Dune Climb; rangers will provide route options and suggestions.

Youth Ice Fishing Saturdays Dune Center at the Dune Climb Every Saturday from Jan. 24 – Feb. 28, 2026 11 am - 3 pm, drop-in family program Free with park pass -Learn ice fishing basics like the proper gear and safety. -Earn your Junior Ranger Angler certificate. -Get some free fishing swag (Thanks to the National Park Foundation). -Hit the ice and test your new skills—conditions permitting!* -No preregistration, just drop in anytime between 11 am and 3 pm. -Expect to spend at least an hour completing the activities. -Children must be accompanied by an adult. *If conditions are safe and favorable, ice fishing on an inland lake may be offered at a secondary location.

North Manitou Island is visible from different spots around Sleeping Bear Dunes, but have you wondered what life was like on the island? 

Find out about the island's 100+ year history, from logging to recreation.

Maple Sugaring Days Saturday, March 7, 2026, 10 am - 3 pm
Sunday, March 8, 2026, 11 am - 3 pm
Dechow and Olsen Farms

Dechow and Olsen Farms are in the Port Oneida Rural Historic District of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Located on M-22 and Port Oneida Road.

Come experience the sugaring process through time. Learn the history of maple sugaring from the Anishinaabe, then travel to the present day at the Olsen Farm. End your adventure by sampling warm syrup or making maple taffy.

The event is free with a park pass.

The fun includes:

• a self-guided hike,
• a visit to a historic sugar shack,
• sap boiling demonstrations,
• kid's activities,
• and maple syrup sampling.

Maple Sugaring Days is presented by Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in partnership with Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear. This event is in collaboration with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians' Natural Resource Department.

Visit two sites for the Maple Sugaring Days event. If you want to follow the timeline in chronological order, start your day at the Dechow Farm for a self-guided history hike to see tapped maple trees and sap boiling. End your visit at the Olsen Farm to experience first-hand how the sap is finished and try some warm maple syrup. There is nothing like it!

Plan on spending 2.5 hours at the event, visiting both locations. If you arrive after 2 pm, you will only have enough time to take-part in the activities at one site.

Parking is available at each farm site. Look for the parking signs with arrows off of M-22. The lot is in a snowplowed field near the farmhouses. You can either drive and park at each site or follow the groomed path to cross M-22. Port-o-johns are available at each location.

Dress for the weather. The path for the hike at the Dechow Farm can be icy, depending on the conditions. If there is snow or ice, attendees are encouraged to bring their own traction devices, trekking poles, or snowshoes for the event. Snowshoes will be available to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis.

Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome at the outdoor portions of the event. Pets are not allowed inside historic barns or buildings.

Dechow Farm Activities

Start your experience by meeting park rangers at the entrance to the site. Just past the parking area, you will see the greeter table where you will get an event orientation and find information for the hike.

Explore the Dechow Farm and discover the history of maple sugaring on a (just over) 1 hour, 1-mile self-guided hike to a historic sugar shack. This hike goes up a hill, across an uneven field to tapped maple trees, and then to the sugar shack.
No reservations required.

While you are there, visit with the Dechow family. Hear about their lives on the farm, including their sugaring experience.

Plan to spend 1.5 hours at the Dechow Farm.

Olsen Farm Activities

Visit multiple activity stations at the Olsen Farm anytime from 10 am-3 pm. If you visit the Dechow Farm first, head over to the Olsen Farmhouse after your self-guided hike. In the historic kitchen, see how the sap is boiled down into syrup, candy, or sugar. The other activities are placed around the outside of the house. Be sure to stop at all activities for the full experience.

Plan to spend at least an hour at the Olsen Farm.

Inside the Olsen House

• Finishing the syrup
• Making maple sugar and candy
• Syrup grading scale
• Sample warm maple syrup
• Items for sale including fresh maple syrup, books and resources, and Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear items

Outside the Olsen House

Learn about the history of sugaring and get an overview of the process from a historic presenter. This is a must if you are unable to go on the self-guided hike at Dechow.

How does weather and climate play a role in the flow of sap? How are changes in northern Michigan changing the sap season?

Activity Stations

• Test your skills to balance maple sugaring pails on a yoke
• Anishinaabe method of warming syrup
• Practice drilling using a traditional brace and bit

Syrup fun

• Maple taffy activity
• Make some maple snowcones

Childrens games

• Jump rope and bean bags
• ...and more!

Community Pancake Breakfast

Homestead Resort's Whiskers

Saturday, March 7, 8 am - 12 pm

Menu inclues pancakes, sausage, bacon, eggs, potatoes, fruit and beverages at $17 per adult, $9 per child ages 6-12, and free for children 5 and under. The breakfast is hosted by the Homestead Resort, sponsored by the Sleeping Bear Visitor's Bureau, with proceeds benefiting Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear.

Maple Sugaring Days Saturday, March 7, 2026, 10 am - 3 pm
Sunday, March 8, 2026, 11 am - 3 pm
Dechow and Olsen Farms

Dechow and Olsen Farms are in the Port Oneida Rural Historic District of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Located on M-22 and Port Oneida Road.

Come experience the sugaring process through time. Learn the history of maple sugaring from the Anishinaabe, then travel to the present day at the Olsen Farm. End your adventure by sampling warm syrup or making maple taffy.

The event is free with a park pass.

The fun includes:

• a self-guided hike,
• a visit to a historic sugar shack,
• sap boiling demonstrations,
• kid's activities,
• and maple syrup sampling.

Maple Sugaring Days is presented by Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in partnership with Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear. 

Visit two sites for the Maple Sugaring Days event. If you want to follow the timeline in chronological order, start your day at the Dechow Farm for a self-guided history hike to see tapped maple trees and sap boiling. End your visit at the Olsen Farm to experience first-hand how the sap is finished and try some warm maple syrup. There is nothing like it!

Plan on spending 2.5 hours at the event, visiting both locations. If you arrive after 2 pm, you will only have enough time to take-part in the activities at one site.

Parking is available at each farm site. Look for the parking signs with arrows off of M-22. The lot is in a snowplowed field near the farmhouses. You can either drive and park at each site or follow the groomed path to cross M-22. Port-o-johns are available at each location.

Dress for the weather. The path for the hike at the Dechow Farm can be icy, depending on the conditions. If there is snow or ice, attendees are encouraged to bring their own traction devices, trekking poles, or snowshoes for the event. There is no advanced registration needed.

Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome at the outdoor portions of the event. Pets are not allowed inside historic barns or buildings.

Dechow Farm Activities

Start your experience by meeting park rangers at the entrance to the site. Just past the parking area, you will see the greeter table where you will get an event orientation and find information for the hike.

Explore the Dechow Farm and discover the history of maple sugaring on a (just over) 1 hour, 1-mile self-guided hike to a historic sugar shack. This hike goes up a hill, across an uneven field to tapped maple trees, and then to the sugar shack.
No reservations required.

While you are there, visit with the Dechow family. Hear about their lives on the farm, including their sugaring experience.

Plan to spend 1.5 hours at the Dechow Farm.

Olsen Farm Activities

Visit multiple activity stations at the Olsen Farm anytime from 11 am-3 pm. If you visit the Dechow Farm first, head over to the Olsen Farmhouse after your self-guided hike. In the historic kitchen, see how the sap is boiled down into syrup, candy, or sugar. The other activities are placed around the outside of the house. Be sure to stop at all activities for the full experience.

Plan to spend at least an hour at the Olsen Farm.

Inside the Olsen House

• Finishing the syrup
• Making maple sugar and candy
• Syrup grading scale
• Sample warm maple syrup
• Items for sale including fresh maple syrup, books and resources, and Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear items

Outside the Olsen House

Learn about the history of sugaring and get an overview of the process from a historic presenter. This is a must if you are unable to go on the self-guided hike at Dechow.

How does weather and climate play a role in the flow of sap? How are changes in northern Michigan changing the sap season?

Activity Stations

• Test your skills to balance maple sugaring pails on a yoke
• Anishinaabe method of warming syrup
• Practice drilling using a traditional brace and bit

Syrup fun

• Maple taffy activity
• Make some maple snowcones

Childrens games

• Jump rope and bean bags
• ...and more!

With Michigan in its third winter, maybe you'll be taking advantage of the snow by sledding the Dune Climb. Or maybe you want nothing to do with the cold and prefer to stay inside. No matter what you choose, be sure to stop by the Visitor Center to warm up after sledding or to escape the cold altogether. From 10am-3pm, our ranger interns will be hosting fun activities for kids of all ages. Come join the fun!

No preregistration, just drop in anytime between 10 am and 3 pm. 

 

Explore the Case of the Missing Berries with Ranger Leighann!

This interactive program is ideal for children ages 3-9, and for families looking to spend quality time together. Understand more about animals and their senses throughout the program. Also learn how to protect wildlife when enjoying the outdoors! 

Discover the fascinating world of beavers! Join park rangers on a short, guided hike (0.5-1 mile round trip) to learn about these marvelous mammals. Please note, the trail crosses uneven, muddy, or snowy ground and is not stroller-friendly. 

Due to changing weather conditions, visitors must sign up in advance so rangers can share the hike location and trail updates. If heavy rain is forecasted, the event may be moved indoors and replaced with a story and activity session about beavers. 

To make a reservation, please call 231-326-4700, extension 5010. If you need to cancel your reservation, please contact the National Lakeshore so that visitors on the waiting list can be informed and take part in the hike. 

Come any time between 10 am -noon to learn about challenges animals face, and how they have adapted to the changing environment here at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Then challenge yourself to use some of those adaptations to create your own critter to take home! 

This program is open to all ages, and is most ideal for ages 8 and up.