Aral was a logging settlement with a colorful history, largely because it witnessed one of the area’s few pioneer shootouts. Aral is located four miles south of Empire at the end of Esch Road, where Otter Creek empties into Lake Michigan. Today it’s one of the most popular swimming beaches in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and offers few signs of its colorful past, when Aral was a thriving wooding town.
“Saturdays at the Lakeshore” programs take place every Saturday from Sept. 15 through Oct. 27. Meet at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire on M-72 at 1 p.m. to meet the Park Ranger who will lead the hike. Then, car caravan a short distance to where the walk will begin. Each week, a different topic and location in the park will be featured. All are welcome. Each program will be no more than a mile and a half round trip and will conclude by 3 p.m.