North Bar Lake in Michigan

Exploring North Bar Lake in Empire

Empire, Michigan

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Inland lake swimmingShallow sandy bottomNational lakeshore accessLake Michigan access nearby

Difficulty

Easy

Best Season

Summer

Depth

Shallow sandy lake with deeper water toward the outlet

Entry Fee

A Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore entrance pass is required for vehicle access.

Parking

Use the North Bar Lake parking area and verify parking and access conditions locally before visiting.

Last Verified

2026-04-08

North Bar Lake Guide: Can You Swim Here?

Are you wondering about swimming at North Bar Lake? One of Sleeping Bear Dunes' best-known inland swim spots with official National Park Service support for shallow, clear, sandy-bottom swimming.

How to Visit North Bar Lake

Planning a trip? Here are some essential tips for how to visit North Bar Lake. The exact coordinates are 44.8438459, -86.0644299. Make sure you enter these into your GPS to find the most accurate trailhead or access point. Look out for parking signage, as use the north bar lake parking area and verify parking and access conditions locally before visiting..

Safety Tips & Local Warnings

While exploring the North Bar Lake guide, safety should always be your top priority. Natural swimming holes face rapidly changing water conditions. Entry fees are currently listed as: A Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore entrance pass is required for vehicle access.. Be mindful of your surroundings and any posted warnings when visiting.

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