Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is an absolutely gorgeous park on the Michigan peninsula. It is the perfect getaway to spend time on the water and enjoying beautiful campgrounds. There are two mainland campgrounds and also island campgrounds. You have your choice of multiple types of sites including electric and RV sites.
Sleeping Bear Dunes Camping
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See our post on Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore for information on what to do while visiting the park and more!
Sleeping Bear Dunes Campgrounds
Platte River Campground
The Platte River Campground is super nice! We were really impressed with the number of bathrooms with showers and how much space there is within the campground.
There is a firewood vending machine that offers $5 a bundle of firewood on site. Make sure and bring $1 and $5 bills because that is the only thing the machine takes.
Location: Platte River Campground is located in the southern district of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, on the lower peninsula of Michigan.
- Latitude:
- 44.7127778
- 44° 42′ 46.0001″ N
- Longitude:
- -86.1177778
- 86° 7′ 4.0001″ W
Open: year-round
Number of sites: 179 sites
Cost per night:
Standard Electric Site – $31
Standard non-electric site – $26
Tent only site – $22
Group camp- tent only $50
Reservations?: yes, reservations can be made on Reservation.org or by calling (877) 444-6777
Campground amenities:
Each loop has restrooms with flush toilets and sinks. Hot showers are also available.
RVs allowed?: yes
Generator Hours: Generator use is prohibited at Platte River Campground.
Platte River Campground Map
Platte River Campground Reservations – For the 2019 season, all campsites will be available by reservation! Reserve a campsite up to six months in advance for arrival dates of May 1 through October 15 by calling 1-877-444-6777 or you can make your reservation online.
Platte River Campground Rules to be aware of
Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m.– 6 :00 a.m.
Camping is limited to 14 TOTAL days between Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day.
You can only burn firewood that is approved by the park service. Firewood may be purchased between the entrances of Loops 2 & 3.
A list of Lakeshore approved vendors is available at http://www.nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/firewood.htm
Pets must be on a six-foot leash at all times.
An entrance pass for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is required for each vehicle
Check out more photos and info on the Platte River Campground!
D.H. Day Campground
The D.H. Day Campground appears to be the older of the two campgrounds. The roads are gravel/dirt. Campsites appeared to be closer to each other than in the Platte River Campground. There are vault toilets within the campground. Water is available.
This is an active bear area so make sure you are prepared to store your food. There are no bear boxes at the campsites.
Quiet hours at the campground are from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Location: One mile north of the Dune Climb
From Traverse City, Michigan take M-72 west to Empire. Proceed 2.1 miles north of Empire on M-22. Go 4.1 miles north on M-109 to West Harwood Road. Take a left on West Harwood Road and continue all the way to the end of the road to D.H. Day Group Campground.
- Latitude:44.89615
- Longitude:-86.02006
Open: From the first Friday in April through the last Sunday in November
Number of sites: 88 sites
Cost per night: $20.00
Senior Pass and Access Pass holders receive a 50% discount on camping fees.
Reservations?:No and Yes…Starting with the 2019 camping season, all campsites at D. H. Day Campground will only be available via reservation from May 1 through October 15. BUT Reservation.org does not have the page ready so far.
Campground amenities:
RVs allowed?: No
Generator Hours: Generator-use is restricted to sites #1 thru 31 (the first loop) and then only from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Cell Service – Yes
Dump Station – Yes
2019 camping season, all campsites at D. H. Day Campground will only be available via reservation from May 1 through October 15. Call www.recreation.gov or call 877-444-6777.
Campground address: 8000 W. Harbor Hwy, Glen Arbor, MI 49636
The phone number is 231-326-4700, ext. 5035
Group Camps at Sleeping Bear Dunes
There are five group campgrounds at Sleeping Bear Dunes. Group campsites may be reserved up to 1 year in advance for May 1 to October 15. For reservations, visit www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777.
D. H. Day Group Campground
This campground accommodates tents only for groups of 7-25 people.
There are 4 sites and all are reservable.
Fees/night = $40.00.
Reservations are required between May 1 and October 15.
Platte River Group Campground
These sites are hike-in and accommodate tents only for groups of 7-25 people.
There are a total of 5 sites and all are reservable.
Fees/night = $50.00.
Reservations are required from May 1 through October 15.
South Manitou Island – Bay Group Campground
These sites accommodate groups of 9-20 people and up to 10 tents.
There are 3 sites and all are reservable.
Fees/night = $30.00.
Reservations are required from the Friday of Memorial Day Weekend through mid-September.
South Manitou Island – Weather Station Group Campground
These sites accommodate groups of 9-20 people and up to 10 tents.
There are 3 sites and all are reservable.
Fees/night = $30.00.
Reservations are required from the Friday of Memorial Day Weekend through mid-September.
North Manitou Island – Group Camping
There is an unlimited number of sites, but groups are limited in size to 5-10 people.
Fees/night are $20.00.
No reservations necessary.
Camping on South Manitou Island
Location: South Manitou Group Campground is a tent-only backcountry facility on South Manitou Island in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
South Manitou Island is accessible only by private boat or passenger ferry.
Campers must bring their own toilet paper.
Bay Campground
The Bay Campground is the closest campground to the dock
Open: year round
Number of sites: 25, maximum of 4 people or 2 tents per site
Cost per night: $10.00
Reservations?: No, Bay, Weather Station and Popple campgrounds have individual campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis on the island
Campground amenities:
RVs allowed?: No
Generator Hours:
Bring water filtration equipment since there is no source of purified drinking water.
The transportation of firewood to North and South Manitou Islands is strictly prohibited.
Popple Campground
Open: year-round
Number of sites: 7, -4 persons
Cost per night: $10
Reservations?: No, Bay, Weather Station and Popple campgrounds have individual campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis on the island
Campground amenities:
RVs allowed?: No
Weather Station Campground
Open: year-round
Number of sites: 20, maximum of 4 people or 2 tents per site
Cost per night: $10
Reservations?: No, Bay, Weather Station and Popple campgrounds have individual campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis on the island
Campground amenities: fire pits for open fires
RVs allowed?: NO
North Manitou Island Camping
Backcountry Camping Regulations are in effect on North Manitou Island.
A backcountry permit and fee payment must be completed before camping.
Village Campground contains eight designated campsites, two fire rings, and one outhouse.
Village Campground Campsites for 1-4 persons: 8 Total Sites, 0 Reservable. Fee/night = $10.00
Backcountry Camping for 1-4 persons: Unlimited Sites. Fee/night = $10.00
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