Traveling Ted is a blog that takes readers along on my adventures hiking, canoeing, skiing, and international backpacking. Many blogs focus on one aspect of backpacking, but I tackle both the outdoor adventure side and international exploration as well.

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I decided to extend my stay in northern Michigan an extra day, so I could enjoy Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. It would be criminal to leave without staying at least a day there. I set up camping in the Platte River campground. I then set off to see as much of the park as possible because I wanted to post a Sleeping Bear Dunes Instagram photo essay.

Sleeping Bear Dunes Instagram photo essay

Sleeping Bear Dunes Instagram photo essay begins with the Caribbean looking Lake Michigan

Although one could easily stay longer, the park is perfect for a one or two days stay. There are many beautiful lookouts easily accessible by short trails, so I took in a few of these and then caught the sunset at the campground.

Lake trout fish fry

Lake trout fish fry at Sleeping Bear Dunes campsite

Lake trout cooked over the fire

Earlier in the first day, I fished with Sports Fish Michigan and caught several lake trout on Lake Michigan. I bought some butter, lemon pepper garlic, some sides, and beer and had a wonderful cookout over the fire at the campground. I could not think of any better way to end a perfect day in the Traverse City, Michigan area.

Related: Traverse City lake trout fishing amazes

sunset Sleeping Bear Dunes

Sunset the first night at Platte River Campground

Sleeping Bear Dunes Instagram photo essay

I have been to Sleeping Bear Dunes before. On my last trip I hit most of the major trails. I decided to visit a few places that were so beautiful that they deserved a second look. Stops like the Empire Dunes, the scenic drive, and the Lake Michigan lookouts deserve revisits. I wanted to get as many good photos as possible for this Sleeping Bear Dunes Instagram photo essay before leaving town.

Empire Dunes

Sleeping Bear Dunes Instagram photo essay – View from Empire Dune

While I was at it, I also captured a bunch of GoPro footage including some time lapses, selfies, and video. The two days I was in Sleeping Bear Dunes were two of the most gorgeous days of the spring. The effect of the sun reflecting off the golden dunes and azure blue of Lake Michigan made for a memorable experience.

GoPro selfie

GoPro selfie from one of the scenic drive overlooks

Old barn Sleeping Bear Dunes

In case you tire of Caribbean like Lake Michigan and golden dunes, here is an old barn

I ended my stay with a little fishing where the Platte River meets Lake Michigan. I planned to leave earlier in the day, but I could not leave. Sunset time loomed, so I decided to enjoy one more sunset before leaving home. I did not catch any fish, but I did catch some great sunset shots.

Glen Lake

Sleeping Bear also has a few scenic inland lakes – Glen Lake

Sleeping Bear Dunes Lake Michigan

Sleeping Bear Dunes Instagram photo essay – Manitou Island sticking out in the distance

Sleeping Bear Dunes

From the northern end of the park near Sleeping Bear point

Sleeping Bear Dunes

Sleeping Bear Dunes Instagram photo essay

Sleeping Bear Dunes

Scrub land between the woods and the dunes

Sleeping Bear Dunes

A storm rolled through interrupting the perfect weather

Empire Dunes

Empire Dunes from a distance

Sunset Sleeping Bear Dunes

Good thing I stayed for the second sunset

Adventure on!

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