Philip A. Hart Visitor Center

Sylvia Lin

2023-10

Watched for 25-min park introductory movie; it was great. Got to know more about the park: both its nature and culture. There are arts with local theme on the walls of the movie room. They are multi-medium; very interesting. There are display like a little nature museum; it's worth a look, especially for kids.There are also chances to shop for souvenirs. There are bottle refilled station and best bathroom for the whole park.

brandon dengler

2023-09

It was super crowded when we went in the middle of the day, but there was still ample parking, and the line to pay moved quickly. Small selection of gifts and no food. Nice displays of the park area as well. Extremely helpful and nice staff that helped plan our day. The national lakeshore sign is also right out front if you want a picture of it

Diana Kirtland

2023-11

Amazing visitors center. Includes a cool topography map of the Sleepy Bear Dunes. Push buttons to see the different locations in the National Park. nice displays of the flora and fauna of the area. Different animals that reside in the terrain is fascinating too. Be sure to look.in this big room. Special area is the auditorium that includes artwork on both sides. Look up close to see the different mediums such quilts, acrylic paint, watercolors, wood etc. Super clean bathrooms. At the front area you'll purchase your 7 day pass. Various types to purchase. If anyone is over 62 purchase a pass for $20 lasts 365 days (1 year) otherwise pass is $25. Yes gift items in lobby. Large parking area. Don't forget the beach about one mile away. Beach parking area to right (small lighthouse) to see if looking for lighthouses (tour). Worthy of photos. SUPPORT the national parks. In 2023 I watched an amazing video about this park. Which changes every few years.

Adam Vengroff

2023-05

Beautiful National Lakeshore.Huge expanses of sand and shores. Trails that go on forever. It's like Dunes NP but more wild and clean and beautiful.All the little towns, like Empire, are cute little vacation towns.The folks at this particular VC were just great. They really enjoyed all the badges the kids have collected. They were very accommodating and we enjoyed the video in the theater. The displays were minimal as was the gift shop.I'm sure this place is absolutely jammed in the summer time. We loved it in April.

Richard Corey

2024-04

Sleeping Bear National Park Rangers are always friendly and so helpful. Can't wait for the scenic drive to open. Always a highlight of our summer.

George MP

2018-05

We enjoyed this Visitor Center. The park rangers are nice and take time to explain the pass options and can help you decide where to go first. The 15 minute video explaining the legend of the Sleeping Bear has very pretty images of the park in the different seasons and colors. There is a nice display area that explains the different sand dune types and has examples of the local flowers and animals you can see in the park. The gift shop is well stocked and has reasonable prices.

Muriel Robinette

2023-11

Lovely glacially derived dunes which are both stable and still migrating, well described on the Visitors Center.

Dan S

2020-05

A very quilty experience here at this visitor center. Check out the great exhibits and, yes, the massive quilt depicting the beautiful shoreline and dunes this park was established to preserve. It is a great place to start your Sleeping Bear Dunes journey if approaching from Empire.

Timothy Keebler

2023-11

Definitely stop here before going to the dunes! The facilities are very clean, and the staff are super knowledgable and friendly. We got a park map which a ranger helpfully walked us through, highlighting the best parts of the park and answering questions. Lots of souvenir options too! It was a quick visit, but worth the stop.

Jessica Friske

2021-05

The Rangers in the visitor center are super helpful and nice. There are a bunch of interesting displays with animals you can read about, and they have a 3D map. They have t-shirts and sweatshirts available for purchase, as well as informational books and stuffed animals. There are restrooms as well.

Keith Kidd

2020-05

The visitors center was a great place to start. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park is a good was to spend a day or two. Magnificent!

Wyatt W. Penke

2023-08

A fairly nice visitor center with ample parking and bathrooms.

Kevin Schacht

2021-05

If you are looking for a REAL workout drive the scenic drive and go down the 450 ft sand dune at a 33 degree angle. Real easy to get down, not so much getting back up. Lol BEAUTIFUL views!! Must see in N. Michigan!!

Rabidwolf200

2020-05

Always visit the visitor center first if they have one as there is a ton of information and displays! This one is about 10 miles before the dunes so it is spread out.

Dave Herber

2023-09

Such excellent customer service! From explaining to my handicapped mother what scenic trails she could enjoy without much worry, to getting her a senior handicapped park pass. Ranger Kim was a delight to interact with and even directed us to Point Betsie light house. We also witnessed a Junior Ranger swearing in and enjoyed the museum before we left!

Marissa Yee

2023-08

We stopped here on our way to Sleeping Bear Dunes to purchase a park pass ahead of time. The employees are helpful with providing information on the Dunes. While there was a long line to purchase passes upon entering, the line moved quickly. There are souvenirs for purchase that require dropping cash into a collection box so if you want to purchase some items you may need cash on hand. The restrooms are also clean and would be a good place to stop prior to going to the Dunes.

Janae Hart

2023-06

My friend and I decided to stop by Philip A. Hart Center last weekend or two weekends ago. It had a museum that related to natures in Western Michigan and had interesting information we didn't know about! They also had interesting books related to nature and Sleeping bear dune. I had purchased a book that was mushroom foraged related and it had good price for that book. I was at cashier and elder ladies who worked there. I had to inform them that we were deaf after one of ladies talked to me vocally and we were tried to communicate through one of apps (Transcribe live) on my phone. I figured it was new to them. They were effective in communicating with us as the deaf customers & tourists. I noticed one of ladies picked a sheet with a picture of communicating device for between hearing and deaf & hard of hearing people. I read my Transcribe live app translateing as the lady told the ladies that they should have gotten the device for deaf people in the future. They were adorable and tried to accommodate! I appreciated them. 💓☺️👌🏼

Allison Jaloszynski

2023-06

Fantastic visitor center! They have tons of wonderful and local to Michigan books and items to purchase. A fantastic video of Michigan and a really nice walk-through museum of Sleeping Bear Dunes wildlife. We love coming to Sleeping Bear. We have been many, many times and the visitor center is a great place to get everything you need to complete your visit!

Brian Keller

2022-05

Awesome views. Grateful of the free entrance for veterans.

Andrew Cottrell

2023-07

Excellent staff! I was able to get my veterans national park pass there. Those that work there are informative and very polite ! The people in this area are very patriotic. Love coming to visit this area of Michigan.

Alyssa Vest

2023-07

Very friendly ranger that shared a lot of their knowledge with us about the dunes. They have the junior ranger program here which is always fun to have kids do! Small gift shop with Tshirts and sweatshirts and postcards and books.

mandy dale

2023-07

Volunteers and workers who provide information at these places are incredibly helpful in assisting us deciding where we should visit, how to find our campgrounds, and so much more! We also learn about the local history, culture, and other aspects of the places we intend to visit.

Dan G

2023-08

Nice visitor center for the Sleeping Bear Dunes. There were 2 staff by the large topo map of the area that talked about the area. The theater has a video that has history of the region.

Amanda Broseus

2023-09

Gift shop with a brief history of the National Park and the area. Able to buy the pass needed to be at the Park. Friendly and helpful rangers on staff to help plan your trip as well.

Jake Grossbauer

2023-05

Staff is incredible. Very informative for the location and advocate for the local adventure. Ranger Mary P was amazing with both my girls in swearing them in with Jr. ranger badges and making it fun for them!The souvenir option/apparel was limited and overall a better detailed mapping for visits with the area would be the 'extra' needed

Joel Russcher

2023-05

This visitors center is a must stop when visiting Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park. Great information about both the park and the surrounding area. The new video is beautiful and professionally done. One of the volunteers shared a suggestion about a new addition to the park which we visited which offered an amazing view. A highly recommended stop even if you have been there before.

Mark

2018-05

Great place to start the trip to the dunes. Good info on history and evolution of the ecosystem.

Curt Brackenrich

2023-05

A bustling place, but they had a couple windows open for buying park passes, and rangers were talking to people in the lobby. It's very kid friendly inside and yes, they have public bathrooms too. Parking is pretty ample in their lot, but you might have trouble with a large RV.

Ryan Madden

2023-05

Highly recommend stopping in here before heading out to any trails or other sights in the park. There's an exhibit that displays the history of the area, as well as the diverse and unique fauna and flora you can expect to see.It was staffed by a few NPS employees selling passes and generally available to answer any questions you might have about your visit. There's also a little shop that sells various mementos and field guides related to the park.

Sarah Morningstar

2023-09

This place is BUSY! But beautiful with a great exhibit about the seashore's history. The location is a little weird, it's a short ride or bike from the other parts of the seashore.