<P> Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a United States National Lakeshore located along the northwest coast of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan in Leelanau and Benzie counties near Empire , Michigan . The park covers a 35 - mile - long ( 56 km ) stretch of Lake Michigan 's eastern coastline , as well as North and South Manitou islands . This Northern Michigan park was established primarily because of its outstanding natural features , including forests , beaches , dune formations , and ancient glacial phenomena . The lakeshore also contains many cultural features including the 1871 South Manitou Island Lighthouse , three former stations of the Coast Guard ( formerly the Life - Saving Service ) and an extensive rural historic farm district . In 2011 , the area won the title of `` The Most Beautiful Place in America '' from Good Morning America . In 2014 , a section of the park was named the Sleeping Bear Dunes Wilderness by the United States Congress . </P>
where is sleeping bear dunes national lakeshore located
along the northwest coast of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan in Leelanau and Benzie counties near Empire , Michigan