Sleeping Bear Dunes - The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is one of over 380 National Park sites administered by the National Park Service. It is located in northwest Lower Michigan on Lake Michigan. The Dunes carry a legendary story that involves a mother bear and her two cubs. They were escaping Wisconsin where there was a fire and swam Lake Michigan ending up on the Michigan side of the lake. The mother bear reached the shore and climbed up a cliff to watch for her cubs. They didn't make it though and while the mother bear became the Sleeping Bear Dunes the two cubs became North and South Manitou Island which is just off the shore where their mother waited. Also some of the largest and best cherry orchards in the states are located in the area so if you like cherries plan on visiting during harvest time - you will certainly get your fill.