The Bay to Bay Trail Masters Project focused on the planning of a 35 mile hiking and
paddling trail along the shoreline of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The Bay
to Bay Trail is named such because it would extend from Good Harbor Bay south to
Platte Bay. The project was sponsored by the Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance
Michigan Office of the National Park Service and The Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes.
The team’s process included research into similar trails, field investigations and analyses,
and development of a conceptual design for the trail that includes alternative trail routes,
campgrounds, and kayak launch sites. The team gauged interest in the trail and gathered
input through interviews with local outfitters and user groups. In addition, perspectives
on paddlers’ and hikers’ preferences on trail qualities and amenities were gathered
through a set of surveys. Finally, a campground matrix was created to assess and evaluate
potential campground sites along the trail. The team’s survey and interview findings,
maps of trail, campground, and launch site alternatives will be used in the Environmental
Assessment of the trail. The water trail and kayak launch site data and analysis will
directly benefit Michigan’s contribution to the Lake Michigan Water Trail: a four-state
effort to create a contiguous water trail around the perimeter of Lake Michigan. Conceptual designs of the campgrounds, launch sites, and trail signage will be used in
public meetings. Additionally, the team created mock-ups for a website and brochure to
be used by Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes and the Park. In sum, the project will aid in
the actualization of a dual water/hiking trail: an unprecedented recreational feature
in Michigan.