Friends of Sleeping Bear step up during government shutdown, keep trails safe, port-a-johns at Dune Climb
From staff reports
Three weeks into the federal government shutdown, the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore visitors center in Empire remains closed, as are museum spaces and interpretive programs.
Laura Ann Johnson
However, popular destinations such as the Dune Climb and Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive are open. Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes, a nonprofit partner of the Park, has raised approximately $2,500 in donations and used that to cover the cost of two porta-johns at the Dune Climb. Porta john rentals cost about $250 per month, said Friends’ executive director Laura Ann Johnson.
With the National Lakeshore officially closed, and only rangers working to ensure visitor safety, the Friends have stepped up in other ways.
“We were able to blow the [Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail] as the leafs have piled up and become very slippery when wet,” Johnson told the Sun yesterday. “We also took care of a large tree branch that fell on the [Heritage Trail] by the cemetery on Port Oneida.”
The Friends remain in contact with key Park leadership, even as National Lakeshore staff are unable to communicate with the general public.
“Typically, the Park welcomes around 100,000 visitors in October,” the Friends wrote in an email earlier this week. “With no entrance fees being collected during the shutdown, the park is losing hundreds of thousands of dollars—funds that would normally support the Lakeshore’s 2026 project budget. This pause in revenue puts future operations at risk. We continue to hope for a quick resolution so our park rangers can return to work protecting and preserving Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. In the meantime, here’s what’s happening around the park.”
Friends of Sleeping Bear encourage the public to consider donating the value of a park pass at friendsofsleepingbear.org/
“It is early to tell what projects will be impacted and what will not,” Johnson told the Sun. “It will have to be evaluated when all the dust settles. The first projects to go will be all non-deferred maintenance projects like the PSAR (Preventive Search and Rescue) ranger. This ranger works directly with our volunteers all summer so this one will impact [Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes] in a big way as well. Campground ranger programs, interpretive programs in the park, wayside exhibit updates, training, basically a lot of visitor education and outreach.”
The Friends’ email offered a rundown of Park operations this time of year, including what’s open and what’s closed:
Winterization is underway: Glen Haven, Dune Climb, and Platte River are complete; Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is next.
All vault toilets remain open and are being serviced by limited park staff.
Two porta-johns have been added at the Dune Climb, funded by Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes to assist during the lapse.
D.H. Day Campground Office is closed; self-registration through November.
Platte River Campground Open by reservation through Nov. 1, then Loop 2 will remain open via self-pay through winter.
All museum spaces are closed.
Dune Center remains open 9–5 through the end of this week.
Special projects and access
The North Manitou Island Hunt is taking place, with approximately 200 hunters participating for resource management.
Law Enforcement Rangers are receiving full pay from 2025 fee funds, which will impact the 2026 project budget.
Empire Visitor Center remains closed.
Volunteer duties are suspended, except for visitor-safety-related projects, which may be approved individually.
Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive will stay open until falling leaves make it unsafe—likely another 2–3 weeks, weather permitting.
The North and South Manitou GAOA project continues on schedule; this work is not affected by the budget lapse.
All vault toilets remain open and are being serviced by limited park staff.
Two port-a-johns have been added at the Dune Climb, funded by Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes to assist during the lapse.
D.H. Day Campground Office closed; self-registration through November.
Platte River Campground Open by reservation through Nov. 1, then Loop 2 will remain open via self-pay through winter.
All museum spaces are closed.
Dune Center remains open 9–5 through the end of this week.
