Research and Resources

From official National Park Service sites to historical memoirs, find everything you ever wanted to know about the North and South Manitou Islands and the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore area.

Organizations

  • Sleeping Bear Dunes

    Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

    The official communication channels of the National Park Service

    Website     Facebook     Instagram

  • Olsen House

    Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear

    Nonprofit Park Partner partnering with Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore to provide funds and volunteers for the preservation of its 360 historic buildings and landscapes, and share its pioneer heritage for the enrichment of individuals and communities.

    Website     Facebook     Instagram

  • Heritage Trail

    Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes

    Nonprofit Park Partner dedicated to protecting resources and heightening visitor experiences in partnership with Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

    Website     Facebook     Instagram

  • Leelanau Historical Society

    Leelanau Historical Society Museum

    Visitors to the museum learn about Leelanau life and maritime history from exhibits, educational programs and publications. There is also an online archive.

    Website     Facebook

  • South Manitou Light

    Manitou Islands Memorial Society

    A nonprofit organization which helps preserve the history and cultural resources of Michigan’s Manitou Islands by serving as volunteers and partnering with Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

    Website

  • North Manitou Shoal Lighthouse

    North Manitou Light Keepers

    A nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of the North Manitou Shoal Light Station, also known as "The Crib". 

    Website     Facebook     Instagram

Manitou Island Transit

Manitou Island Transit

Fourth generation ferry service to the North and South Manitou Islands.

Website 

Publications

All
  • All
  • Backcountry Camping
  • Backpacking
  • Canoeing
  • Do it yourself
  • Gear Reviews
  • Hammock Camping
  • Hiking
  • Historic Preservation
  • Husky Dog
  • Kayaking
  • Lake Michigan
  • Meditations on Nature
  • Michigan History
  • Nature Preserves
  • North Manitou Island
  • Oral History
  • Pilgrim Haven
  • Port Oneida
  • Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear
  • Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
  • South Manitou Island
  • Stories
  • Traverse City
  • Trip Planning
  • Volunteering
  • Winter
  • Winter Camping
Supper in the Evening

Supper in the Evening

Al Barnes

Pioneer living in Michigan, Civil War, early settlers, cultural life, logging, and recipes. Barnes is a noted Traverse City historian.

259 pages, 1967     Purchase

Michigan History / Traverse City
The Legend of Sleeping Bear

The Legend of Sleeping Bear

Kathy-jo Wargin

Illustrated by Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen

A classic retelling of the Ojibwe legend that names the Sleeping Bear Dunes, with beautiful illustrations.

48 pages, 1998     Purchase

North Manitou Island / Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore / South Manitou Island