How to Camp at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park in Michigan
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Park is in the northwestern part of Michigan's lower peninsula, 25 miles west of Traverse City. It lies on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan and includes mainland and island locations. Preserved and restored landmarks and buildings show the history of the Dune's maritime activity, agriculture, and recreation. Activities are available during all four seasons and there are several areas for different kinds of camping, including modern, rustic, and primitive.
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Things You'll Need
- Reservations
- Park entrance pass
- RV
- camper
- tent
- sleeping bag
- backpack
- water
- map
Instructions
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Reserve a campsite at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore through the National Recreation Reservation Service website, or call 887-444-6777.
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Pay $10 per private vehicle for a park entrance pass, good for 7 days from the issue date. You can also pay $20 for an annual park entrance pass, valid for 12 months from the issue date. Each camper 16 or older who enters the park on foot, bicycle, or motorcycle pays a $5 fee for a pass valid for 7 days from the issue date. Passes allow entrance into all parts of Sleeping Bear Dunes.
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Reserve a campsite for your RV or trailer with electric hook up at the Platte River Campground.The Platte River and Lake Michigan are nearby, and available facilities include modern restrooms and showers.
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Choose a rustic campsite for your RV, trailer, or tent with no electric hook up or showers at the D.H. Day Campground. Located in the northern part of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the D.H. Day Campground has access to dirt roads, vault toilets, and Lake Michigan beaches.
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Take a ferry to North or South Manitou Island or stay on the mainland for back country camping. Primitive camping is available on the Manitou Islands, at the White Pine Campground, near the Platte River Campground, and at the Valley View Campground north of Glen Arbor. Backpack with your sleeping bag and camping supplies to pitch your tent in the wild. Valley View campers will have to carry their water while other primitive campsites are within walking distance of Lake Michigan.
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Visit the Phillip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire, Michigan for information on Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and take advantage of the many area attractions. Drive the 7 mile Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, which takes you along lakes, through forests, and around sand dunes. Climb the dunes, run to the picnic area at the bottom, play in the sound, or take the 3 to 4 hour hike through the dunes to Lake Michigan. Follow hiking or biking trails or take a ranger-led tour. Swim, boat, fish or canoe in the lakes and rivers. Visit the U.S. Coast Guard Museum. Tour the South Manitou Island lighthouse and visit historic villages.
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Tips & Warnings
Fee free days are available every year, during which park entrance fees are waived. Fee free days for 2010 include August 14 and 15, September 25, and November 11.
Failure to pay park fees can result in fines.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit sand dunes image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com
