Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is the biggest tourist draw to Empire. Within the park, there are two campgrounds. Platte River Campground is modern, with electrical hookups and restrooms with showers. This campground is the most popular one in the park, filling up nearly every night from June to Labor Day. Sixty-six percent of the campsites are reservable, and the remaining are occupied on a first-come, first-serve basis. Sites are appropriate for RV campers and tent campers.
The D.H. Day Campground is rustic, providing vacationers with a quieter, more rugged and laid back atmosphere. There are 88 campsites in the wooded setting, with easy access to Lake Michigan beaches. In the summer, rangers lead programs and tell stories about the area for families. RV campers and tent campers are welcome at D.H. Day, but there are no hookups for electricity, vault toilets only and dirt roadways. All campsites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
9922 Front St.
Highway M-72
Empire, MI 49630
231-326-5134
www.nps.gov/slbe/index
Indigo Bluffs Rally Park, previously Sleepy Bear Campground, is an RV-only campground in Empire with 127 campsites. It is close to beaches, dunes and smaller fishing lakes in the area. Indigo Bluffs accommodates RVs of all sizes with full hookups, water and electrical sites, and fifth-wheel and travel trailer sites. Campsites are wooded, and park amenities include a pool, modern restrooms, cabin rentals, a convenience store, laundry facilities, gas, a dump station, playground and courts for volleyball and basketball. The park has Wi-Fi access. Campsites are large to accommodate motorhomes and other RVs.
Indigo Bluffs Rally Park
6760 W. Empire Highway
Empire, MI 49630
231-326-5566
http://www.indigobluffsrallypark.com/
Empire Township Campground is located adjacent to the Empire Airport, and just outside the Traverse City State Forest Area. It is southeast of the city of Empire, but still within the township. The campground is mostly rustic, but has eight sites with electricity. (See Reference 4). Empire Township Campground is open from May to September. Area attractions like downtown Empire, beaches and lakes are a short drive away.
Empire Township Campground
7264 W. Osborn Road
Empire, MI 49630
231-326-5285
