Sleeping Bear Dunes Closes All Trails, Park Amenities

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore has closed all of its park trails, trailheads, parking lots, and picnic areas until further notice, park officials announced Tuesday.

The shutdown comes in response to visitors refusing to follow social distancing guidelines, according to a park statement. Beach fires are prohibited until further notice, and Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive - already seasonally closed since November - will remain closed. Previous closures of park facilities including bathrooms, campgrounds, and the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center are still in place.

"The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners is our number one priority," according to the park statement. "The NPS (National Park Service) is working with federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. The park will notify the public when it resumes full operations and provide updates on the park website and social media channels."