Track Chairs
Hike to a Lookout or a sandy Lake Michigan Beach
How it works:
Select your adventure - Overlook or Beach
Make your Free reservation online.
Meet at the trailhead, where a volunteer will take you through a short orientation.
Head off on your adventure with the accompanying volunteer.
Bear Tracks Accessibility Program
Trails in Sleeping Bear Dunes often have steep slopes or sandy soil, which makes it difficult for some visitors to experience the natural environment or get to some of the spectacular vistas that others can hike. The Friends have purchased three track chairs to make the trails that can accommodate them available to visitors with limited mobility.
Reservations for track chairs are open in the spring for visitors to reserve for FREE, from Memorial Weekend to mid-October. A volunteer will arrange to meet with you, provide training, and accompany you and your friends or family on the Bay View Trail in the Port Oneida Rural Historic District, or on the Railroad Grade Trail from the Platte River Campground to the beach.
Bay View Trail
Hike through the woods and up to a lookout point, taking in the surrounding views of Lake Michigan and historical Port Oneida farms.
Equipment: Mama & Baby Bear Track Chair
Parking: gravel parking lot (directions)
Restrooms: Vault toilet
Distance: 2 miles
Elevation: 266 ft
Pets: allowed on leash
Railroad Grade Trail
Starting at the Platte River Campground Ampitheater, you’ll meander through the woods on a flat trail that crosses a few sand dunes and leads you to the open blue waters and soft sand of Lake Michigan.
Equipment: Platte Bear Track Chair
Parking: paved parking lot (directions)
Restrooms: flush toilets at the campground
Distance: 3.2 miles, out and back
Elevation: 23 ft
Pets: allowed on leash
Our Track Chair Family
Baby Bear Track Chair
Location: Bay View Trail
Seat Width: 18 inches
Max Weight: 300 pounds (with equipment)
Mama Bear Track Chair
Location: Bay View Trail
Seat Width: 24 inches
Max Weight: 350 pounds (with equipment)
Platte Bear Track Chair
Location: Platte Plains Railroad Trail
Seat Width: 22 inches
Max Weight: 300 pounds (with equipment)
Support the Bear Tracks Accessibility Program
With a commitment to provide recreational opportunities to all, Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes offers the Bear Tracks Accessibility Program. This program provides visitors with hiking mobility assistance for designated Park trails.
The Track Chairs were purchased by the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes. If you would like to make a contribution, you may make a donation to the Bear Tracks Accessibility Program. Donations will go to chair maintenance and to adding more track chairs to the Dunes. We accept cash or checks made out to Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes designating the Bear Tracks Accessibility Program.