empire bluff trail

OPTraveler100

My husband and I really enjoyed hiking the empire bluff trail. We are not avid hikers but enjoyed the experience as it is a light to medium hike and the forest in early June was so beautiful. While hiking we saw many different types of trees, ferns and wild flowers. While the view at the end of the trail is spectacular as you are 400 feet above Lake Michigan and have a wonderful view of the Little Bear sand dunes to the North, we also enjoyed the beautiful views that suddenly appeared near the end of the trail. These views were the type of pleasant surprise that makes you exclaim, "wow, look at that!" Great area for photos. Note: It is a good idea to take some water with you if the day is warm.

D9vermul

Incredible view of the dune; moderately strenuous hike. 1.5 miles round trip. Well worth it! Get to the end of the path, and relax on the bluff, with Lake Michigan a couple hundred feet below you.

foxxy1601

This is one of my favorite hikes at the park (although it is really hard to choose)! It is a short hike uphill and it isn't too bad! The forest that you hike through to get to the top is quite lovely and depending on time of year the floor can be covered in a lush green floor of ferns or lovely wildflowers! The view at the end of the trail is breathtaking! You are able to see miles of shore, sand dunes & lake Michigan! This trail is one of my favorites and no matter how many times I do it over and over there is always something new to see and the view never fails to amaze me!

Jenniferleigh30

This is a quick, fairly easy walk through beautiful Michigan trees that drops you at one of the best views of Lake Michigan. Anyone in decent shape should be able to do this walk with no problem. My mom, sister and I did it carrying camera gear in about 15 minutes. We got lucky on our trip and two gentlemen walked up not long after us with a bunch of equiptment and launched their parasails right off the bluff. They flew back and forth waving and encouraging the crowd to cheer them on. We stayed up on the bluff for quite some time watching them and taking in the views. You could see people down below paddleboarding in the lake and boats going by. Definitely one of Michigan's best views.

IndyAngie

My partner and I visited in October 2014 during a rather blustery and dreary day. Still, the hike through the woods was very relaxing. When you reach the part you start to ascend the back of the bluff, it starts to get exciting! We loved the boardwalk as you step out of the woods and onto the bluff itself. Being early October and a rather chilly mornign to boot, we had the place to ourselves and found the view simply breathtaking! We appreciated the fact that we could enjoy it in peace and could see how at the height of summer, visiting the bluff and trying to "jockey for a place" with 100 other people (many screaming kids) wouldn't be nearly so nice. Despite the gale winds, we actually sat on the benches and enjoyed the view out over the lake for 10-15 minutes, and on up the coast toward "the Sleeping Bear". Very nice!

TheGardener44

The Empire Bluff dune trail is a 15 minute walk thru a deep rich upland forest filled with tall trees and a green forest floor that is a solid cover of wildflowers in May. You can walk there each week in May and see a different set of flowering woodland flowers. The first week is the Dutchman Britches, then the Toothwort begins and Trillium follows. Any month this trail is beautiful, filled with historical and geological points of interest, but what you will never tire of , is stepping out of the deep woods to the narrow boardwalk footpath that leads out to the southern overlook of Sleeping Bear Dunes that drops 400 ft to the blue water of Lake Michigan. The description will never do this experience justice.

V9030HZjenniferm

Nice walk in the woods ending with a stunning view of Lake Michigan and South Bar Lake. Fairly easy walking distance and just a little hard enough to make you work.

trbeer

We were looking for some shorter hikes today and Empire Bluff was perfect. It had some hills to help us with exercise and the view of Platte Bay and South Manitou Island were excellent. This is a trail we hadn't hiked on previous visits but I'm glad we hiked it today.

416patril

This trail was not very hard or long - I think 1.5 miles round trip. The boardwalk at the end provided the most amazing view! You are higher than you think! We went past the boardwalk and continued down the trail that goes alongside the sand dune for a bit longer. It actually goes really far but we didn't take it all the way. There was a sandy spot and it looked like someone had a campfire there the night before so that's REALLY cool. If I ever went backpacking I think that'd be the place to do it. We also saw paragliders launching from the launch spot near the boardwalk and that was cool too.

jagdds710

If you have time for only 1 trail, this is the one to do. A very easy hike (15 minutes or so) to the vista view you do not want to miss.Children can easily do this hike as well. The view is just spectacular.

RMAmom

We went early-ish (around 10) and had the whole trail to ourselves. We had the end/top to ourselves for about 15 minutes too. All of us did the walk 3-39 with ease. We saw a woodpecker. The views are unbeatable. There are benches at the top to sit, have a snack, read a book, whatever….enjoy the views.

Ralph49615

Although this is a short trail, it it absolutely lovely. The trail leads to a fantastic overlook. Early morning is best, to watch the fog lift, and the view unfold.

Alive2332

We did this hike in the morning and it wasn't crowded or difficult. The views were incredible. We followed it with the Pyramid Point hike, which was also amazing...it would be tough to pick my favorite!

lindamock

The trail is well maintained and fairly wide. There are a couple small hills. You mostly hike through deciduous woods, but when you get to the end the views of the lake and dunes are impressive. It would be a shame to come to this area and skip this hike, so do it!

Betsy309

Grab a coffee and a Danish and head out here for a quick hike and enjoy breakfast and coffee while it is still early and peaceful.