Drop-in Snowshoe Program

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 wil......More

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 2811 am - 3 pmCheckout 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.

Dune Climb Parking Lot - 6748 S Dune Hwy, Glen Arbor, MI 49636 44.8817,-86.0429

Youth Ice Fishing

Youth Ice Fishing SaturdaysDune Center at the Dune ClimbEvery Saturday from Jan. 24 – Feb. 28, 202611 am - 3 pm, drop-in family programFree with park pass-Learn ice fishing basics like the proper gear and safety.-Earn your Junior Ranger Angler certificate.-Get some free......More

Youth Ice Fishing SaturdaysDune Center at the Dune ClimbEvery Saturday from Jan. 24 – Feb. 28, 202611 am - 3 pm, drop-in family programFree 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.

6748 S Dune Hwy, Glen Arbor, MI 4963644.8817,-86.0429

Island Life: The Story of North Manitou Island

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.

9922 Front StreetEmpire, MI 9630

Drop-in Snowshoe Program

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 wil......More

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 2811 am - 3 pmCheckout 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.

Dune Climb Parking Lot - 6748 S Dune Hwy, Glen Arbor, MI 49636 44.8817,-86.0429

Youth Ice Fishing

Youth Ice Fishing SaturdaysDune Center at the Dune ClimbEvery Saturday from Jan. 24 – Feb. 28, 202611 am - 3 pm, drop-in family programFree with park pass-Learn ice fishing basics like the proper gear and safety.-Earn your Junior Ranger Angler certificate.-Get some free......More

Youth Ice Fishing SaturdaysDune Center at the Dune ClimbEvery Saturday from Jan. 24 – Feb. 28, 202611 am - 3 pm, drop-in family programFree 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.

6748 S Dune Hwy, Glen Arbor, MI 4963644.8817,-86.0429

Drop-in Snowshoe Program

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 wil......More

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 2811 am - 3 pmCheckout 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.

Dune Climb Parking Lot - 6748 S Dune Hwy, Glen Arbor, MI 49636 44.8817,-86.0429

Youth Ice Fishing

Youth Ice Fishing SaturdaysDune Center at the Dune ClimbEvery Saturday from Jan. 24 – Feb. 28, 202611 am - 3 pm, drop-in family programFree with park pass-Learn ice fishing basics like the proper gear and safety.-Earn your Junior Ranger Angler certificate.-Get some free......More

Youth Ice Fishing SaturdaysDune Center at the Dune ClimbEvery Saturday from Jan. 24 – Feb. 28, 202611 am - 3 pm, drop-in family programFree 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.

6748 S Dune Hwy, Glen Arbor, MI 4963644.8817,-86.0429

Maple Sugaring Days

Maple Sugaring DaysSaturday, March 7, 2026, 10 am - 3 pmSunday, March 8, 2026, 11 am - 3 pmDechow and Olsen FarmsDechow 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 ex......More

Maple Sugaring DaysSaturday, March 7, 2026, 10 am - 3 pmSunday, March 8, 2026, 11 am - 3 pmDechow and Olsen FarmsDechow 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 ActivitiesStart 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 ActivitiesVisit multiple activity stations at the Olsen Farm anytime from 10 am-5 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 HouseFinishing the syrupMaking maple sugar and candySyrup grading scaleSample warm maple syrupItems for sale including fresh maple syrup, books and resources, and Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear itemsOutside the Olsen HouseLearn 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 StationsTest your skills to balance maple sugaring pails on a yokeAnishinaabe method of warming syrupPractice drilling using a traditional brace and bitSyrup funMaple taffy activityMake some maple snowconesChildrens gamesJump rope and bean bags...and more!

Dechow Farm:3991 W Harbor Hwy, Maple City, MI 49664

Maple Sugaring Days

Maple Sugaring DaysSaturday, March 7, 2026, 10 am - 3 pmSunday, March 8, 2026, 11 am - 3 pmDechow and Olsen FarmsDechow 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 ex......More

Maple Sugaring DaysSaturday, March 7, 2026, 10 am - 3 pmSunday, March 8, 2026, 11 am - 3 pmDechow and Olsen FarmsDechow 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 ActivitiesStart 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 ActivitiesVisit multiple activity stations at the Olsen Farm anytime from 10 am-5 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 HouseFinishing the syrupMaking maple sugar and candySyrup grading scaleSample warm maple syrupItems for sale including fresh maple syrup, books and resources, and Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear itemsOutside the Olsen HouseLearn 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 StationsTest your skills to balance maple sugaring pails on a yokeAnishinaabe method of warming syrupPractice drilling using a traditional brace and bitSyrup funMaple taffy activityMake some maple snowconesChildrens gamesJump rope and bean bags...and more!

Dechow Farm:3991 W Harbor Hwy, Maple City, MI 49664