Historic white building with red roof on sandy shoreline of South Manitou Island, overlooking turquoise waters of Lake Michigan. Courtesy National Park Service loading...You’ll find it on South Manitou Island, part of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. 1 Summer Travel Destination in the Country is Right Here in MichiganCredit: National Parks Service Credit: National Parks Service loading...As shipping traffic increased, so did accidents. South Manitou Island Schoolhouse Credit: National Parks Service loading...South Manitou also supported a small community during its boom years. South Manitou is one in a chain of Lake Michigan islands and accessible only by ferry or private boat.