The 100-mile Great Lakes shoreline of Michigan's Leelanau peninsula is beauty on a grand scale. Leelanau is home to massive dunes, including the bluffs south of Empire, the dunes at Sleeping Bear, Pyramid Point to the north, as well as many smaller dunes and bluffs. Also, there are incredible homes and cottages in the areas outside the National Lakeshore. In other sections there are many miles of unspoiled shoreline with sandy shores, wooded bluffs and impressive hills further inland.

Kayaking the inland lakes of Leelanau is a delightful alternative to going out on the bigger waters.

There are about 40 named inland lakes in Leelanau County, with public accessibility enough for at least a kayak. In addition, there are three lakes on the two Manitou Islands: Lake Manitou and Tamarack Lake on North Manitou Island and Florence Lake on South Manitou Island.

The Leelanau Peninsula has three rivers that are suitable for kayaking -- the Leland River, the Cedar River and the Crystal River. Rivers are a great alternative when conditions are too windy for paddling on more open waters.

LEELANAU BY KAYAK includes directions, maps, strategies, history and information on area rentals.

The updated Edition of Leelanau By Kayak includes:

• 16 additional pages
• 4 additional Leelanau inland lakes
• 30 new photos
• additional historical and geographic information about Leelanau