According to Ojibway legend, there was once a fire that devestated the Wisconsin shoreline and there was a mother bear with her two cubs who jumped into Lake Michigan to escape the forest fire. The mother bear swam to saftey and waited on the other side but her two cubs were not able to make it.

Then the spirit of Manitou came and created two islands in the place where the two cubs drowned and created a solitary dune representing the faithfully waiting mother bear.

The 1970 established National Lakeshore protects upto 35 miles of these dunes. The dunes are the product of several glacial advances and retreats thousands of years ago, the highest of these dunes being 480 feet. Dogs are not allowed on the Dune Climb but are allowed on the Sleeping Bear Dune trail.

Just off the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, you will find the Cottonwood trails, which provides a good canine hike. The path leads through sandy dunes covered with trees, which show signs of the harsh climate and hardy creatures dealing with the sandy environment. The trail is filled with thick sand, which is soft for your dog’s paw but the trail is difficult and will tire an unfit dog beyond doubt. The trails are open from May to October.

The Good Harbour Bay Trail is wooded flat walk, which lies in the northern section.The starch has mostly been taken out of Michigan Lake to aid canine swimming. The section of Souther Platte Plains has rougher waves though; this is for the more adventurous of the dogs. The thirteen mid-length trails are only for hikers and dogs are not allowed on South and North Manitou Island, just ofshore.

So, this is adventure paradise for you and your dog, a place where you can sweat it out with your dog.