Sleeping Bear still awake during shutdown. Here’s what’s happening in the national lakeshore

EMPIRE, MI -- Every October, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore welcomes about 100,000 visitors for prime leaf peeping.

This weekend will be prime to route up M-22 and take a cruise through Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive.

MLive meteorologist Mark Torregrossa predicts Oct. 24-26 will be peak for fall color along the shorelines of northern Lower Michigan.

Although the federal government shutdown continues to put the majority of the National Park Service staff on furlough, the Friends of Sleeping Bear are keeping visitors up-to-date on park happenings.

Friends of Sleeping Bear is a philanthropic partner of NPS and can continue its work of advocacy, fundraising and strategic planning for the park during the shutdown.

The park entry booths and Visitor Center remain closed during the shu