Presented by Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in partnership with park partner Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear. 

Saturday, March 1

10 am – 5 pm FREE in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Come experience the sugaring process through time in the Port Oneida Historic District at the Dechow Farm and Olsen Farm. Learn the history of maple sugaring through a guided hiking tour from the Anishinaabe, to the Settler’s  open fire process, to the sugar shack evolving to the present day.

Step inside the Olsen farmstead for the final boiling in the historic kitchen and purchase maple treats and books on maple sugaring.  Try your hand at activities outside, carrying a yoke with buckets, hand drilling into a log, or make old fashioned maple syrup taffy.

The event is free with a park pass.

The fun includes:

• a guided hike
• a visit to a historic sugar shack
• sap boiling demonstrations
• kid’s activities
• and maple syrup sampling

Special Candlelight Hikes

Friday February 28 and Saturday, March 1

5 pm – 8 pm

Visit the Dechow Farm for a self-guided maple-sugaring history hike along lantern-lit paths. Rangers and volunteers will greet you along the hike to share information.

Dress for the weather. The path for the hike at the Dechow Farm can be icy, depending on the conditions. If there is snow or ice, attendees are encouraged to bring their own traction devices, trekking poles, or snowshoes for the event. There is no advanced registration needed.

The trail is roughly one-mile and does involve hiking up a hill.

MAPLE SUGAR DAYS IS PRESENTED BY SLEEPING BEAR DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PRESERVE HISTORIC SLEEPING BEAR.  Check for additions to the event as details are confirmed Sleeping Bear Dunes website.

Locations: 1 mile north of The Homestead, between Thoreson road and Port Oneida Road.

Dechow Farm:
3991 W Harbor Hwy, Maple City, MI 49664

Olsen Farm:
3164 W Harbor Hwy, Maple City, MI 49664

Volunteer Opportunities!

Help with Kid’s Activities, snow cones, a greeter in the Olsen farm; or learn to interpret one of the methods of processing sap. Interested?  Email us at phsbpark@gmail.com.