Can you visit Sleeping Bear Dunes, Pictured Rocks? What to know amid federal shutdown

Because of the federal government shutdown, a trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore along Lake Michigan or to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on the Lake Superior coast may look quite different this fall.

The U.S. is in the second-longest federal government shutdown in history, with no signs of an imminent breakthrough, and the National Park Service is feeling the impact.

"More than 350 of our national park units are open in some capacity," an NPS spokesperson said in a statement. "That includes many of the most visited sites across the country. Each park’s status is determined by its contingency plan and local conditions, but we’re doing everything possible to keep America’s parks accessible and safe for visitors."

Miners Castle cove in the autumn. Taken from out on Lake Superior, Miners Castle is typically viewed from shore. It is the iconic landform of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Because of the federal impasse, visits to NPS sites will be free because the agency isn't collecting entrance fees during the shutdown, a major revenue loss, USA TODAY reported. The NPS websites display a message warning of limited operations, and adds its websites and social media pages are inactive.

If you visit an NPS site in Michigan, be prepared for fewer services; visitor centers are shuttered and only skeleton staff remain due to the shutdown. Volunteer organizations have been trying to step in to fill the gaps.

Here's how Michigan NPS sites are operating amid the government shutdown.

How long has the government shutdown been in place?

The U.S. was on day 24 of the nation's second-longest federal government shutdown as of Friday, Oct. 24. The shutdown was assured to continue into the next week.

How is the shutdown affecting the National Park Service?

Due to the shutdown, the NPS website and social media pages are not regularly monitored or updated. Visitor centers and other amenities aren't available, either.

National Park Service sites in Michigan are not selling permits or collecting fees, although sites generally remain open to the public.

Where are Michigan's NPS sites?

• Isle Royale National Park encompasses all of Isle Royale in Lake Superior. One of the nation's least-visited parks, the rugged islands offer opportunities for backpacking, hiking, boating, paddling and diving. Entry passes are required. The park closes for the season Oct. 31.
• Keweenaw National Historic Park encompasses both public and private sites throughout the Keweenaw Peninsula in the Upper Peninsula and features heritage sites from the area's copper mining history. It is headquartered in Calumet; check with individual sites regarding entry fees.
• North Country National Scenic Trail spans eight states, including more than 1,100 miles in Michigan through urban and rural areas in the upper and lower peninsulas. There is no entry fee.
• Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore features the sandstone cliffs along Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula from Munising to Grand Marais, along with sand dunes, inland lakes, deep forests, waterfalls, beaches and wild shoreline. There are opportunities for camping, hiking, sightseeing and more. Entry passes are required.
• River Raisin National Battlefield Park in Monroe honors the history of the January 1813 battles of the War of 1812 and their aftermath. There are opportunities to visit historical sites, a museum, walking and biking trails, kayaking and more. There is no entry fee.
• Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on the shores of Lake Michigan features miles of sand beach, lush forests, clear inland lakes, unique flora and fauna, towering bluffs, an island lighthouse, coastal villages, picturesque farmsteads and more. Entry passes are required.

What's going on at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore?

Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes, a volunteer nonprofit dedicated to the national lakeshore, is helping carry out essential work at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore amid the federal shutdown, said Executive Director Laura Ann Johnson in an Oct. 21 statement on its website.

"We continue to be in communication with key park leadership during this time and have been able to provide support as needed, including taking care of some trail safety issues and providing funding for a porta-johns at the Dune Climb," Johnson said in the statement.

The group says museum spaces, the D.H. Day Campground office and Empire Visitor Center are closed due to the shutdown. The Dune Center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through the end of this week, according to the nonprofit. Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive will likely stay open for two to three more weeks, weather permitting.

Volunteer duties at the national lakeshore have been suspended, except visitor safety-related projects, Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes said. The group says NPS law enforcement rangers are getting their full pay from 2025 fee funds and that will impact the 2026 budget.

Vault toilets are open with limited staff maintenance and lakeshore winterization is ongoing, the group said. For campers, self-registration is available for D.H. Day Campground through November and the Platte River Campground is open by registration through Oct. 31, with Loop 2 open by self-pay into the winter.

The North Manitou Island Hunt is still set to occur with about 200 hunters, and the North and South Manitou GAOA project is continuing, the nonprofit said.

Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes is appealing for donations worth the value of a park pass since the NPS is not collecting entrance fees during the shutdown.

"Typically, the park welcomes around 100,000 visitors in October. With no entrance fees being collected during the shutdown, the park is losing hundreds of thousands of dollars— funds that would normally support the Lakeshore’s 2026 project budget. This pause in revenue puts future operations at risk," Johnson said.

What's happening at national parks in the UP?

The National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation, a nonprofit partner of five national parks along Lake Superior, said while Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Isle Royale National Park and the Keweenaw National Historic Park remain open, park buildings are closed and only limited staff are working, according to an Oct. 2 statement.

"NPLSF’s work to raise philanthropic support for our parks means more now than ever. While implementation of some in-park improvements are now on hold, and many of our projects aren’t missing a beat," the statement read.

Most NPS staff have been furloughed amid the shutdown, the nonprofit said. Those still working include custodial staff, law enforcement and fire safety, all unpaid until the shutdown ends.

Keep in mind when visiting parks that staff won't be available to assist with needs like route planning or interpretation and reduced staff could lead to longer emergency response times, the group said.

Isle Royale National Park closes for the winter Oct. 31 and is set to reopen to visitors April 16, 2026, according to the NPS. Ferry services to the island have already ended for the season, limiting travel to the remote park to private boats.

National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation encouraged the public to donate to support local NPS sites, support NPS workers, be kind and respectful when visiting national parks and contact your elected officials to advocate for funding the NPS.

What is the National Park Service?

The U.S. National Park Service is a federal government agency within the U.S. Department of the Interior that manages national parks, monuments, lakeshores and preserves throughout the United States.

USA TODAY contributed.

Contact Jenna Prestininzi: [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Can you visit Sleeping Bear Dunes, Pictured Rocks? What to know amid federal shutdown