Glen Haven Village — Attraction in Glen Arbor Township

Glen Haven, MI is a charming lakeshore village nestled within the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, offering a unique blend of rich history and outdoor recreation. The village itself is a preserved historic site where visitors can explore several open and staffed buildings during the warmer months, including a blacksmith shop, a general store, and exhibits on the United States Life Saving Service, providing a fascinating glimpse into the area’s past. Visitors to Glen Haven can enjoy breathtaking natural beauty, with access to pristine Lake Michigan beaches that are perfect for swimming and picnicking. The towering dunes nearby make for exhilarating hikes with stunning views from the top, perfect for adventure and nature lovers alike. The area also caters to a variety of outdoor activities. The fully accessible Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail passes through Glen Haven, allowing for hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing in winter. Water sports are abundant, with opportunities for paddleboarding, kayaking, kiteboarding, and charter fishing available nearby. Beyond the natural beauty, Glen Haven is recognized for its welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere and boutique shops focused on local artisan goods, making it a delightful spot for both relaxation and culture. The absence of chain stores emphasizes its quaint, small-town charm. Overall, Glen Haven stands out as a scenic, historic, and active destination that perfectly balances nostalgia with outdoor fun, making it a fantastic place to...

TLDR: free activity with beautiful views and interesting history.

Sooo… I’ve heard some crazy stories about this place. Everyone just disappears from this small town in the 1920s. Just VANISHED. Spoookyyyy Especially when you see the trees in several yards- they’ve become petrified wood-, as if they’d been burnt with super hot heat, charred black and still in existence after 100 years…

Supposedly everyone just left and took their boats across Lake Michigan to Wisconsin, but why would they do that, leaving their homes exactly how they left them that morning, and nobody ever hearing from them again? And leaving boats behind?

But those are just stories I’ve heard- what do YOU know?

The homes have been unkept, the bed and breakfast still hosts guests-apparently weddings happen here on the beach? The beach view is gorgeous, there is a visitor’s center and gift shop but we didn’t get there till 4 and by the time we came back to check it out, it was closed- so make sure you get there prior to 4pm if you want to visit the shop.

There are bathrooms here and a...

A historic blacksmith shop, a coast guard history display, and a beach pus one or two other old buildings. The blacksmith shop is a neat display of how it was done a hundred years ago or more. There is a coast guard history display in the old canary building. This is neat, but kinda small and limited! The beach is the real stunner! It seems to go on forever in both directions. The view is truly great. You can see Leelanau in the distance and the view if Lake Michigan can take your breath away. The sand is pristine even with the crowds. They need more benches, more parking and a much bigger restroom.

Overall though 5 stars. I highly recommend visiting if in the area. So obviously I...