Many folks don’t know the true wonder of northern Michigan, but step into one of the Midwest’s best kept secrets and you’ll find a world of outdoor adventure unparalleled in the Midwest. This is one of our favorite trips every year!
Come with us for the ultimate outdoor lover’s adventure in beautiful northern Michigan along the shores of Lake Michigan. On this trip, you’ll experience every wild experience nature has to offer, from hiking hundred foot dunes to riding the Great Lake waves! There’s a reason folks in the know have been flocking to northern Michigan in the summer for generations, and we can’t wait to show you everything the region has to offer, from outstanding water activities to local fruit stands that will blow your socks off!
This trip is jam-packed with outdoor experiences, exploring the beautiful and unique landscape of Michigan’s lower peninsulas. It’s centered around Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, with some of the country’s most exquisite dune landscapes and hiking. We’ll head north on the Leelanau Peninsula, famous for its fruit farms (we’re in cherry country, folks!), wineries and cider. And we’ll explore the longstanding villages and towns that make up the northern Michigan culture and artistry, from centuries old fish towns to thriving downtowns filled with galleries and restaurants. Trust us, this is a trip you’ll be sorry to miss!
Adventure Rating: Intermediate
This trip is rated at Intermediate because of the jam-packed schedule and range of outdoor activities. Hiking at Sleeping Bear Dunes can be tailored to the group, but dune hiking is sometimes intensive, and the trails we’ll follow will have elevation gain. The paddling will be beginner-friendly, as well as the e-bike excursion.
ACTIVITIES
We’ll hike the many trails and dunes at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, a pristine dune landscape on the shore of Lake Michigan. Insider tip: The Indiana Dunes get the cred, but Michigan does dunes so much better!
Paddle on the Platte River, a calm and clear river that feeds into Lake Michigan. In the fall, salmon run this river, and the stretch we paddle is chalk full of wildlife and beautiful vistas. You’ll be amazed at the crystal clear water.
Enjoy an evening of sailing in Traverse Bay on a giant Schooner to learn about the ecological and cultural maritime history of the area and the Great Lakes region.
Strap on your helmets for a guided e-bike tour of local wineries and farms on the Leelanau Peninsula, one of the most scenic areas in all the Midwest. The area is famous for its ciders and wines, and e-biking on a beautiful bike path is the best way to get to them! This was a huge hit last year.
Don’t worry, we’ll be doing plenty of relaxing, too. Enjoy some beach time on the shores of Lake Michigan, where the sun warms the water just right in the summer! Hunt for Petoskey stones or enjoy an optional group surf lesson. Yep, you read that right! Midwestern surfing on the waves of Lake Michigan is a popular activity in the area!
Shop the small stores and galleries in the upper Peninsula’s cute towns and villages, known for their Great Lakes pride and artisan community.
ACCOMMODATIONS & LOCATION
We’ll be camping at a beautiful private campground in Empire, MI, just minutes away from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and a stone’s throw from the Leelanau Peninsula. The campsite is a large, secluded oasis (truly one of the best we’ve ever stayed at) with pit toilets and water within walking distance. A quarter-operated showerhouse is available at the campground as well.
About Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Michigan's Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore encompasses a 60 km (35 mi.) stretch of Lake Michigan's eastern coastline, as well as North and South Manitou Islands. The park was established primarily for its outstanding natural features, including forests, beaches, dune formations, and ancient glacial phenomena. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore also contains many cultural features including an 1871 lighthouse, three former Life-Saving Service/Coast Guard Stations and an extensive historic farm district. Source: michigan.org
GETTING THERE
If you are flying in from outside of Wisconsin, the closest airport is the Cherry Capitol Airport in Traverse City (TVC) (about a 40 min drive away). You’ll need to rent a car to get to the our campground, or arrange carpool with a local Wanderer. Carpooling details are sent pre-trip in the private trip Discord channel. Carpooling arrangements can’t be guaranteed, especially for out-of-Iowa trips, but we try our best to connect Wanderers for coordination!
“This was an outstanding trip! We hiked the sand dunes at Sleeping Bear Dunes, relaxed on the shores and beaches of Lake Michigan, explored several small, historic towns, cruised for two hours on a schooner, visited a fantastic cidery and e-biked to wineries out in the beautiful countryside, kayaked the Platte River, partook of marvelous food, some prepared by the guides, some at farm-to-table establishments - it was a very full and thoroughly enjoyable four days. It was a very fun group of amazing women, and our Wander Women guides were unbelievably organized, prepared and delightful. I can’t recommend this business enough if you love outdoor adventures and enjoy meeting amazing women.”
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Your registration provides you:
Expert planning and two Wander Women guides to help make the trip as seamless and fun as possible!
Five nights of camping accommodation and parking
3 dinners, 4 lunches and 5 breakfasts, prepared by your guides, including breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks and beverages
Paddling rental, including: boat, lifejacket and paddle
Evening sailing experience in Traverse City
E-bike rental and guided bike tour
Guided interpretive nature hikes at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore & the surrounding area
Camping accessories: Camp kitchen, camping chairs, fire kits, first aid kits, dining ware, fire wood, games, coolers
Wanderer swag bag full of goodies
A private trip Discord channel to connect with guides and fellow participants before & after the trip
Comprehensive pre-trip online guide with detailed logistics, packing recommendations, and trip tips
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Participants will be responsible for providing/paying for:
Transportation to/from trip (we always encourage carpooling and can connect you with other participants to ride with!) and to trip activity locations
Gear: Participants are able to rent camping gear from Wander Women
2 group dinners out
Nationals Parks Pass for Sleeping Bear Dunes
Optional wine tastings along bike tour
Optional group surfing lesson ($60/person—can add at registration)
INVESTMENT
$995
PAYMENT PLAN
We offer payment plans for all our trips, so you can pay a deposit now and the rest over time! WeTravel (our booking platform) easily lets you make a downpayment (this is also your non-refundable trip deposit!) and set up automatic payments for the remainder. For the payment plan schedule, just check the WeTravel page for details. There is NO fee for choosing the payment plan option!
Deposit for this trip: $500