Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore opens Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive on weekends

From staff reports

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is pleased to announce that they have completed a variety of projects needed to prepare the popular Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive for visitors to safely enjoy, and it will be open for the first time this season on Saturday, July 11. For the next several weeks, however, the Scenic Drive will only be available on Saturdays and Sundays as one big project is still being worked on during the week — replacement of the entrance station that sits at the base of the Scenic Drive. Superintendent Scott Tucker expressed relief that the one of the park’s main attractions could finally accommodate visitors, saying “The pandemic really set us back. We had a big list of projects we couldn’t even start until after the date we had originally hoped they would be done by! Then we had that big windstorm in June, and had to start the road clearing all over again.” 

The Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive will be open on weekends, but will be closed to all traffic on weekdays when the construction at the drive entrance will make it unsafe to enter. Visitors should also be aware that in order to provide for social distancing the narrow boardwalk to the Lake Michigan Overlook platform has not yet been installed. Visitors with limited mobility are encouraged to enjoy the spectacular views (and shorter paths) at the Dune and North Bar Lake Overlooks for now. Park Rangers will be at the drive entrance from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each weekend to answer visitor questions. 

Among the projects that were completed in June, following the return to work of field employees, were a new roof on the covered bridge, rehabilitation of the restrooms at Picnic Mountain, refurbishing railings at the overlook platforms, site preparation for the entrance station construction, and the clearing of many, many downed trees. The Lakeshore plans to open the drive seven days a week when the entrance station construction is completed sometime in August.

Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on the Lakeshore website and social media channels. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.