One of Michigan's wildest landscapes can be found at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, where 35 miles of beaches stretch out along the Lake Michigan shoreline and more than 100 miles of hiking trails explore vast untouched forests. In addition to seemingly endless opportunities for hiking, swimming, fishing and mountain biking, Sleeping Bear Dunes offers a variety of camping options, ranging from electric RV accommodations to remote backcountry tent sites.
With more than 60 electric campsites for RVs and tents, Platte River Campground is the most modern campground at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Non-electric sites are also available, including a few walk-in sites for tents only. This shady, densely wooded campground sits along the banks of the Platte River, and includes modern restrooms, hot showers, drinking water and RV dumping stations. Every site includes a picnic table and campfire ring. About two-thirds of the campsites are available by reservation, while the rest are strictly first-come, first-served.
For those with little need for modern comforts, the D.H. Day Campground provides a more rustic option than the Platte River Campground. More than 80 primitive non-electric sites are available, with picnic tables, campfire rings, vault toilets and water spigots. RVs are permitted, but the sparse amenities make these campsites best suited to tents and small pop-up campers. The D.H. Day Campground is open from April to November on a first-come, first-served basis. The campground provides easy access to the Lake Michigan beach and several nearby hiking trails.
Group camping is available at several locations throughout Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, with extra-large group campsites that can accommodate up to 25 people. The Platte River Campground includes five hike-in group sites, while the D.H. Day Campground has four drive-in group sites. Group camping is also available offshore at South Manitou Island and North Manitou Island. Campsites on the islands are accessible only by boat, and ferry service is available. All group sites are tents-only.
If you prefer to camp as far as possible from civilization, you can pitch a tent deep in the woods at any suitable site throughout large portions of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Backcountry camping is permitted on North Manitou Island and South Manitou Island and on the mainland at the White Pine Campground and Platte Plains trail system. Amenities are typically minimal or nonexistent, and backcountry campers are responsible for carrying all necessary supplies with them -- including food and water -- and removing all trace of their presence when they leave.
