Government Shutdown closes Sleeping Bear Dunes visitor center, programs, snowshoe hikes

From staff reports

Despite Donald Trump’s federal government shutdown, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will remain as accessible as possible while still following all applicable laws and procedures.

The visitor center will be closed and there will be no National Park Service (NPS)-provided visitor services at the National Lakeshore, including restrooms, trash collection, or facilities maintenance. Services at the Platte River Campground will be discontinued as well, including snow plowing, custodial, bathrooms, showers, electricity, check-in/check-out, and reservations. Trails will remain accessible to visitors, but trailhead parking lots will not be plowed and emergency and rescue services will be limited.

During the federal government shutdown, NPS social media and websites will not be monitored or updated and so may not reflect current conditions. All park programs will be canceled until operations resume, including the guided snowshoe hikes that had been scheduled during Christmas week and early January.

Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes will continue to groom and maintain the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail through the shutdown. For information on the Heritage Trail, watch the Heritage Trail Winter Page on our website.