Guide to Platte River Campground Sleeping Bear Dunes NL in Michigan.

Platte River Campground is located in the southern district of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on the lower peninsula of the Lake Michigan shore.

This is one of the most popular campgrounds in the area and is a short walk to the Platte River put-in to paddle or float the river to Lake Michigan.

Platte River Campground - Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

The Platte River Campground is open year-round and has a wide variety of camping styles from RV's to hiking to the nearby backcountry campground, perfect for those who do not want to take the time to head to the Manitou Islands.

Guests will enjoy the beautiful tent sites for a frontcountry campground. They will also enjoy all the amenities from flush toilets and hot showers to camp sinks and asphalt roads, potable water and electric sites for RV's.

Visitors will also enjoy all the incredible things to do in the area making this a great camping destination.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Entrance Fee

Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.

Park Entrance Pass - $25.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)

Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $20.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)

Per-Person Entrance Pass - $15.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.

Annual Park Entrance Pass - $45.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.

$25.00 for Commercial Sedan with 1-6 seats and non-commercial groups (16+ persons)

$40.00 for Commercial Van with 7-15 seats

$40.00 for Commercial Mini-Bus with 16-25 seats

$100.00 for Commercial Motor Coach with 26+ seats

Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.

$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.

2024 America The Beautiful National Park Pass

Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.

National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.

Photo of Platte River Campground entrance sign at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Platte River Campground Camping Fees

Campsite Cost:

Make sure to check with the park for the most updated camping fees

Campground Reservations

Are Campground Reservations Available? Yes, Campsite Reservations are required from May 1 through October 15 and can be made up to six months in advance of your arrival date.

Phone Number? (877) 444-6777

Reservations can be made on Recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777

Make sure to add your Golden Age Passport, Golden Access Passport, Interagency Access Pass, Interagency Annual Senior Pass, or Interagency Lifetime Senior Pass to receive a 50% discount on Camping Fee

Platte River Campground Map

Campground Information

Number of Sites: 179 sites

The campground is a year-round facility, with the peak season typically between May 01 through October 15 each year.

Campsites with electrical hook-ups: 96

Campsites with no electrical hook-ups: 53

Walk-in Sites: 25

Platte River Campground has 5 Group Campsites (hike-in, tents only) for 7-25 persons

Campground Address: 5685 Lake Michigan Road, Honor, MI

Latitude/Longitude:

Latitude:
44.7127778
44° 42' 46.0001" N

Longitude:
-86.1177778
86° 7' 4.0001" W

How to get to Platte River Campground

From the east (Traverse City): Take State Highway M-72 west to Empire. Turn south on State Highway M-22. Proceed 10 miles and turn right on Lake Michigan Road. Follow the signs to Platte River Campground.

From the south (US-31/M-115): Continue north for seven miles at the junction of U.S. Route 31 and M-115. Turn left on Platte Road. Proceed five miles and turn right on M-22. Proceed one mile and turn left on Lake Michigan Road. Follow the signs to Platte River Campground.

Pets Allowed: Pets must be on a six-foot leash at all times.

Accessible Sites: There are 10 Accessible sites.

Non-Electric sites: D002, D003, G001, 411, 434

Electric sites: 105, 125, 126, 209, 307

Campground Amenities

Flush Restrooms: Yes

Hot Showers: Yes

Laundry: No

Payphone: Yes

Is Wi-Fi available? Yes, seasonal

Is Cellular Phone Service Available? Yes, Year-Round

Is the camp host available on-site? Yes, seasonal

Is firewood available for purchase? yes, seasonal

Is a Bear Box/food Storage Locker available? Yes, Seasonal. Remember that you should store food and scented items in a vehicle trunk, RV, when a Bear Box/food storage locker is not available.

Amenities at each campsite

Fire ring/ fire pit in the site? yes, you can only burn firewood that is approved by the park service. Firewood may be purchased between the entrances of Loops 2 & 3.

Picnic Table in the site? yes

Potable Water: Yes

RV Camping at Platte River Campground

RV Length: Check each site for the maximum length. Some say 30 feet, others 35 feet

There are some pull-through sites

Hookups available: 96 sites have electric hookups.

Generators: Generator use is prohibited at Platte River Campground.

Dump Station: Yes, seasonal

Manitou Islands Ferry and Islands at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Things to do while camping at Platte River Campground

Attend an evening campfire program at the campground amphitheater.

Float the 4.5 miles (2 to 3 hours) distance of the Platte River to Lake Michigan by canoe, kayak, or inner tube. (Rentals available) The access point is just before the entrance of the campground.

Fish in the River or Lake Michigan (A Michigan fishing license is required for anyone 17 or older)

Visit the Fish Weir and see where the Salmon are harvested in the fall.

Snowshoe or Cross Country Ski the Platte Plains Trails and roads in the winter.

Go swimming in the Platte River or Lake Michigan. Remember there are no lifeguards and the water is very cold with strong currents. Use extreme caution when swimming.

Campground Regulations

Camping is limited to 14 total days between Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day.

This is an active bear area. When not in use, store food, drinks, ice chests/coolers, toiletries, trash, food preparation equipment, and all scented items in a sealed, hard-sided vehicle, RV, or food storage locker.

Never feed Wildlife.

The maximum number of people in a campsite: 6

Check-in Time: 2:00 PM

Checkout time: 12 noon

A park pass is required for all vehicles using the campground, including visitors who are visiting campers.

Campers cannot register for more than one site.

Camping is permitted ONLY in designated areas, on the established tent pads and parking pads.

Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m.– 6:00 a.m.

Rollerblades, skates, skateboards, scooters, and similar devices are prohibited in the campground.

Pets must be on a six-foot leash at all times.

A list of Lakeshore approved vendors is available at http://www.nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/firewood.htm

For a fun adventure check out Escape Campervans. These campervans have built in beds, kitchen area with refrigerators, and more. You can have them fully set up with kitchen supplies, bedding, and other fun extras. They are painted with epic designs you can't miss!

Escape Campervans has offices in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, New York, and Orlando

Lodging Near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

There are no cabins or lodges in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Camping is also very popular, and campgrounds fill up fast, so finding a place to sleep/stay outside the park may be a great option. Here is a map of nearby lodging options to plan your trip to this incredible park!