Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, Michigan
This 7.4-mile drive loops through the Beach-Maple forest and sand dunes, and it provides great insight into the history of the area. It is absolutely a must-drive if ever visiting the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, as it provides spectacular overlooks of the Glen Lakes, the Sleeping Bear Dunes and Lake Michigan. You can also stop and take a dune hike along the Cottonwood Trail or at one of the many picnic areas along the drive. National Park Service offers a virtual tour of the drive, but nothing prepares you for seeing it in person. The world-class vistas this drive provides are like nothing you’ve seen before.
Pit Stop: You will definitely want to take the time to stop and see the South Manitou Island Lighthouse. It can be viewed from the mainland near Glen Haven, and with a history that spans back to 1838, it’s definitely worth the stop.