The long trek in from the Platte River-mouth to our campsite to the north.

The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is unquestionably one of the most beautiful places on earth. Unsurprisingly, it can get a little busy during the warmer months as sightseers, campers, cyclists, boaters, swimmers, kayakers, and every other species of tourist descends upon this Eden-like freshwater playground.

If solitude is more your thing, and if you don’t mind a little cold, then you should seriously consider checking the place out in winter. You can have the place to yourself and, while the beautiful green trees and blue lakes of summer are missing, you can enjoy a winter wonderland of stunning beauty.

Traverse City-based photographer Beth Price, surfing buddy Saeth Gronberg, and I decided to head out for a little winter camping in the Sleeping Bear Dunes’ Platte Bay.

I’ll post some of the stories soon, but here are some of Beth’s stunning photos.