Visiting Michigan’s western shore is an incredible experience, but camping in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a great way of really experiencing the area in a way like no other. Having easy access to the lakeshore allows you to come and go as you please. You can get to the hiking trails early in the morning to avoid the heat and head out on a short hike during the “golden hour” to see sunset and take some amazing photos!
There are several options for camping in the park to choose from, and if you are like us, it wasn’t easy to decide what the best campground is for a stay in Sleeping Bear Dunes. In this guide, we’ll cover the options you have for camping, details about each campground and what’s nearby. We’ll also provide some information about campgrounds near Sleeping Bear Dunes in case you are interested in staying outside of the Lakeshore, or just aren’t able to secure a reservation ahead of your visit.
We hope this guide helps you narrow down the best campground for you when camping in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore!
Ahead of your trip, get our itinerary for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore! We cover all you need to know about visiting this amazing place, including pre-trip tasks, reservation info, the best hikes and more!
SLEEPING BEAR DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE CAMPING: OVERVIEW
The campgrounds in Sleeping Bear Dunes offer a variety of options. Two of the campgrounds are accessible via car / RV, and the others require you to hike in or take a boat to the islands and then hike!
Camping in Sleeping Bear Dunes is available year-round in the Platte River Campground, but the main operating season in April through November, which is when reservations are also offered for the two drive-in campgrounds.
While there are quite a few sites, reservations during the peak season fill up really fast, so be sure you reserve a spot as early as you can. Reservations typically open up six months in advance of your desired date.
SLEEPING BEAR DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE CAMPING SUPPLIES
While much of Michigan is quite populated, the area near Sleeping Bear Dunes is pretty quiet and remote. Your best bet ahead of your camping trip is to be sure you have everything you need ahead of your visit, of course!
In the event you are spending more than a few days here or forget something, you can get quick items like groceries and ice in Empire, MI.
If you are in need of other camping supplies or cheaper grocery options, then there are a number of discount stores in Traverse City, MI, which is just about 35 minutes to the east.
SLEEPING BEAR DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE CAMPGROUNDS: DETAILS AND CAMPGROUND MAPS
Platte River Campground
Map of Platte River Campground in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, courtesy of the National Park Service
- Location: The Platte River Campground is located on the southern side of Sleeping Bear Dunes. To get here, take M-72 East to M-22 and turn south. The campground is located on Lake Michigan Road.
- Accessible via: Car and RV.
- Reservations: Reservations are available through recreation.gov from mid-May through mid-October.
- Capacity: 179 sites with multiple loops.
- Electricity / Water Hookups / Dump Station: Yes / No / Yes.
- Toilets / Showers / Dishwashing station: Flush toilets with showers and dishwashing stations.
- Pets: Allowed but must be kept on a leash 6 feet or less.
- Operating Season: The campground is open year-round, but amenities are limited in the off-season.
- Quiet Hours: 10 pm to 6 am. Generators can only be operated 8 am to 8 pm.
- Additional details: Each site has a fire grate and a picnic table. There is a small camp store. The campground has great natural surroundings and amazingly clean facilities and campsites. The sites are also quite spacious. Click here for the latest information on the Platte River Campground.
- Nearby: In the southern part of the park you are right near the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center, Platte River Point and some great hiking (including the Empire Bluff Trail and Black Arrow and Green Arrow Loop).
D.H. Day Campground
Map of the D.H. Day Campground in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, courtesy of the National Park Service
- Location: The D.H. Day Campground is located in the northern side of Sleeping Bear Dunes near Glen Arbor, MI. To get here, take M-72 East to M-22 north from Empire, MI. Turn left onto M-109 and go for about 4 miles before turning left at the D.H. Day Campground Road.
- Accessible via: Car and RV.
- Reservations: Reservations are available through recreation.gov from early-May through late-October.
- Capacity: 87 sites with multiple loops.
- Electricity / Water Hookups / Dump Station: No / No / No.
- Toilets / Showers / Dishwashing station: Pit toilets with no showers or dishwashing stations.
- Pets: Allowed but must be kept on a leash 6 feet or less.
- Operating Season: The campground is open early April through late November.
- Quiet Hours: 10 pm to 6 am. Generators can only be operated 8 am to 8 pm.
- Additional details: Each site has a fire grate and a picnic table. You can buy firewood at the camp, but that’s about it. This is a beautiful location, but be advised that it is rustic. The sites are shaded and the campground is kept really clean. Click here for the latest information on the D.H. Day Campground.
- Nearby: The biggest attraction of this campground is its proximity to Lake Michigan. You can walk right to it! It’s also right on the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, which is fantastic for both walking and biking. This part of the park also has a ton of things to see and do, including the Sleeping Bar Point Life-Saving Service Station, the Glen Haven Historic District and the Port Oneida Rural Historic District. You can also hike on some of the amazing trails nearby, such as the Sleeping Bear Point Trail (moderate, 2.5-miles round-trip) or the Pyramid Point Loop Trail (moderate, 2.7-miles round-trip).
BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING ON NORTH AND SOUTH MANITOU ISLANDS
Camping is also possible on the islands off the coast of mainland Michigan on North and South Manitou Islands. Camping out here is a special experience-it takes effort to get out here and you must have all your supplies with you. You even have to bring your own water, or at least a way of filtering water to make it safe for consumption.
To travel out to North or South Manitou Islands for camping, you have to take Manitou Transit. Departure and arrival times vary, and you can find out more at Manitou Transit.
BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING IN SLEEPING BEAR DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE
You can also camp at the White Pine Backcountry Campground. There are only 6 sites, and they are located about two miles after you start hiking on the Trail’s End Road trailhead. This place is very quiet-there are no nearby roads and no hiking trails for people to use to pass through the campground. You do need to obtain a backcountry camping permit in advance of your visit.
SLEEPING BEAR DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE GROUP CAMPING
There is group camping at the D.H. Day Campground and Platte River Campground. You can also have spots on North and South Manitou Island (Bay Group Campground and Weather Station Group Campground) which are both reservable.
FURTHER INFORMATION ON SLEEPING BEAR DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE FROM JUST GO TRAVEL STUDIOS
- Along with this blog, check out our other great articles on Things to Do in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore as well as the Best Hikes in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
- After your vacation, send us your photos and we can make an incredible custom, vintage travel poster with your own custom wording!
