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Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore offers some of the best backpacking in Michigan. Choose from these 4 options for a unique backcountry experience. Review the Backcountry Camping Regulations before you come. Don't take firewood to the islands!The State of Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development's Emerald Ash Borer Quarantine strictly prohibits transporting firewood to North and South Manitou Islands. Island campers may collect dead and down wood found on the island for personal use during their visit; however, unused wood must remain on the island. White Pine Backcountry Campground -Permits for White Pine may be obtained at the Platte River Campground Ranger Station during the summer or from the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center the rest of the year. This camp has 6 sites and is located about 2 miles from the Trail's End Road trailhead on the Platte Plains hiking trail south of Empire just off of M-22. The camp is located about 1/2 mile from the Lake Michigan shore where you can obtain fresh water. There is no well water at White Pine, so if you use water from Lake Michigan, it must be treated before drinking it. See a map and picture of a typical camp site. Backcountry Camping Regulations
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White Pine Backcountry CampgroundBasic Information This camp has 6 sites and is located about 2 miles from the Trail's End Road trailhead on the Platte Plains hiking trail south of Empire just off of M-22 and is about 1/2 mile from the Lake Michigan shore where you can obtain fresh water. There is no well water at White Pine, so if you use water from Lake Michigan, it must be treated before drinking it.
TOTAL SITES: 6 Electric Hookups: 0 RV Only: 0 Tent Only: 6 Walk to/Boat to: 6 Group: 0 Horse: 0 Other: 0 Amenities
Fire/Stove Policy Fires are permitted only in the designated fire rings, and only as long as there are no burn bans or dangerous fire weather. Toilet Types
Shower Types
Weather Sleeping Bear Dunes is located in northern lower Michigan. You want to come equipped for any condition that may present itself as lake-borne weather patterns can change quickly. The well-advised visitor dresses in layers, prepared for a variety of conditions. Summer days have highs ranging from upper 70's to 90's with lows typically in the 50's to 70's. Winter days have highs ranging from 20's to 30's and lows in the 10's to 20's. Snow is usually on the ground from late November through March. White Pine backcountry site Nightly fee for a White Pine backcountry site is $13. A National Park Service entrance pass for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is required for each vehicle: $25 Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore entrance fee (1-7 days). $45 Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Annual pass (if camping more than 7 days). $13.00 Email Address Phone number (Voice) Mailing Address 9922 Front StreetEmpire, MI 49630 Physical Address 5685 Lake Michigan RoadHonor, MI 49640 Directions From the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center, head south on M-22. Trails End Rd: Drive 6 mi to Trails End Rd - turn right Drive 1 mi to trailhead Platte Plains Ski Trail Parking: Drive 6.5 mi - the trailhead parking area on the right Peterson Rd: Drive 9.5 mi to Peterson Rd - turn right Drive 1.5 mi to the trailhead unloading zone on the rightRegulations See Permit Conditions above. A backcountry permit and park pass are required to camp at White Pine Backcountry Campground. For reservations, visit www.recreation.gov and search “White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits” or call 1-877-444-6777. There is a fee of $13 per night for each campsite permit. Sites are available year-round and can be made seven days in advance of your arrival date. Park pass information is available at https://www.nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/fees.htm.
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Accessibility Information
ADA Information - No accessible campsites Wheelchair Access - No accessible facilities RV & Trailer Information - RVs and trailers not allowed. RV Allowed - No Trailer Allowed - No Classification - This campground is a designated primitive campsite. South Manitou Island -Camping is permitted at only three locations - the Bay (25 Individual Sites and 3 Group Sites), Weather Station (20 Individual Sites and 3 Group Sites), and Popple Campgrounds (7 Individual Sites). Obtain a map of the island and hiking trails when you get your permit. Low impact camping is the rule. This minimizes human impact on the fragile natural resources. More South Manitou Island information. Open
Bay Campground - South Manitou IslandBasic Information The Bay Campground is the closest campground to the dock. Bring water filtration equipment because there is no source of purified drinking water. There are 25 individual sites and 3 group sites.
TOTAL SITES: 28 Electric Hookups: 0 RV Only: 0 Tent Only: 28 Walk to/Boat to: 28 Group: 3 Horse: 0 Other: 0 Amenities
Fire/Stove Policy Fires are permitted only in the designated fire rings, and only as long as there are no burn bans or dangerous fire weather. Toilet Types
Shower Types
Weather Sleeping Bear Dunes is located in northern lower Michigan. You want to come equipped for any condition that may present itself as lake-borne weather patterns can change quickly. The well-advised visitor dresses in layers, prepared for a variety of conditions. Summer days have highs ranging from upper 70's to 90's with lows typically in the 50's to 70's. Winter days have highs ranging from 20's to 30's and lows in the 10's to 20's. Snow is usually on the ground from late November through March. Bay Campground for 1-4 persons Nightly fee for Bay Campground for 1-4 persons $10.00 Bay Campground Group SItes Nightly fee for Bay Campground group sItes for 7-20 persons $30.00 Email Address Phone number (Voice) Mailing Address 9922 Front StreetEmpire, MI 49630 Physical Address 9922 Front StreetEmpire, MI 49630 Directions From Traverse City, Michigan, take M-22 to Sutton's Bay. Go west on M-204 from Sutton's Bay towards Leland. Turn north at the junction of M-22 and M-204 to Leland. Take the ferry from Leland to South Manitou Island.Regulations Camping Permits and Park Passes are required. Reservations Required for group sites
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 NPS
Accessibility Information
ADA Information - No accessible camp sites Wheelchair Access - No accessible facilities RV & Trailer Information - Not allowed RV Allowed - No Trailer Allowed - No Classification - This campground is a designated primitive campsite. Open
Weather Station Campground - South Manitou IslandBasic Information The Weather Station Campground overlooks Lake Michigan from the bluffs on the south side of the island. Camp sites are well secluded from each other and have fire pits for open fires. Follow the wooded trail past the lighthouse about 1.3 miles to the campground. Bring water filtration equipment since there is no source of purified drinking water. There are 20 individual sites and 3 group sites.
TOTAL SITES: 23 Electric Hookups: 0 RV Only: 0 Tent Only: 23 Walk to/Boat to: 23 Group: 3 Horse: 0 Other: 0 Amenities
Fire/Stove Policy Fires are permitted only in the designated fire rings, and only as long as there are no burn bans or dangerous fire weather. Toilet Types
Shower Types
Weather Station Campground for 1-4 persons Nightly fee for Weather Station Campground for 1-4 persons $10.00 Weather Station Group Campground for 7-20 persons Nightly fee for Weather Station Group Campground for 7-20 persons $30.00 Email Address Phone number (Voice) Mailing Address 9922 Front StreetEmpire, MI 49630 Physical Address 9922 Front StreetEmpire, MI 49630 Directions From Traverse City, Michigan, take M-22 to Sutton's Bay. Go west on M-204 from Sutton's Bay towards Leland. Turn north at the junction of M-22 and M-204 to Leland. Take the ferry from Leland to South Manitou Island.Regulations Camping Permits and Park Passes are required. Reservations required for group sites
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 NPS
Accessibility Information
ADA Information - No accessible camping Wheelchair Access - No accessible facilities RV & Trailer Information - not allowed RV Allowed - No Trailer Allowed - No Classification - This campground is a designated primitive campsite. Open
Popple Campground - South Manitou IslandBasic Information The Popple Campground is the furthest from the dock (about 3.5 miles), so you are likely to have fewer people camping there. The campground is close to the beach on the northern tip of the island. Bring water filtration equipment since there is no source of purified drinking water. There are 7 individual sites
TOTAL SITES: 7 Electric Hookups: 0 RV Only: 0 Tent Only: 7 Walk to/Boat to: 7 Group: 0 Horse: 0 Other: 0 Amenities
Fire/Stove Policy Fires are permitted only in the designated fire rings, and only as long as there are no burn bans or dangerous fire weather. Toilet Types
Shower Types
Popple Campground for 1-4 persons Nightly fee for Popple Campground for 1-4 persons $10.00 Email Address Phone number (Voice) Mailing Address 9922 Front StreetEmpire, MI 49630 Physical Address 9922 Front StreetEmpire, MI 49630 Regulations Camping Permits and Park Passes are required. No reservations
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 NPS
Accessibility Information
ADA Information - No accessible camping Wheelchair Access - No accessible facilities RV & Trailer Information - Not allowed RV Allowed - No Trailer Allowed - No Classification - This campground is a designated primitive campsite. North Manitou Island -Wilderness camping regulations are in effect on North Manitou Island. A backcountry permit and fee payment must be completed before camping. Obtain a map of the island and hiking trails when you obtain your permit. All trash must be packed off the island. Camping is allowed almost anywhere on the island except within 300 feet of the Lake Michigan high water mark, lakes, streams, ponds, springs, buildings or other camps. Camping is prohibited on any trail. The only designated campground is the Village Campground contains 8 designated campsites, 2 fire rings and one outhouse. There is a limit of 2 tents and 4 people per site. More North Manitou Island information. Open
Village Campground - North Manitou IslandBasic Information The small Village Campground contains eight first-come, first-served designated campsites, two fire rings and one outhouse. There is a limit of two tents and four people per site. Fires are permitted in the community fire rings at the Village Campground.
TOTAL SITES: 8 Electric Hookups: 0 RV Only: 0 Tent Only: 8 Walk to/Boat to: 8 Group: 0 Horse: 0 Other: 0 Amenities
Fire/Stove Policy Fires are permitted only in the designated fire rings, and only as long as there are no burn bans or dangerous fire weather. Toilet Types
Shower Types
Weather Sleeping Bear Dunes is located in northern lower Michigan. You want to come equipped for any condition that may present itself as lake-borne weather patterns can change quickly. The well-advised visitor dresses in layers, prepared for a variety of conditions. Summer days have highs ranging from upper 70's to 90's with lows typically in the 50's to 70's. Winter days have highs ranging from 20's to 30's and lows in the 10's to 20's. Snow is usually on the ground from late November through March. Village Campground Campsites for 1-4 persons Nightly fee for Village Campground campsites for 1-4 persons $10.00 Email Address Phone number (Voice) Mailing Address 9922 Front StreetEmpire, MI 49630 Physical Address 9922 Front StreetEmpire, MI 49630 Directions From Traverse City, Michigan, take M-22 to Sutton's Bay. Go west on M-204 from Sutton's Bay towards Leland. Turn north at the junction of M-22 and M-204 to Leland. Take the ferry from Leland to North Manitou Island.Regulations Camping Permits and Park Passes are required. No reservations
Image Gallery
 NPS
Accessibility Information
ADA Information - No accessible camping Wheelchair Access - No accessible facilities RV & Trailer Information - Not allowed RV Allowed - No Trailer Allowed - No Classification - This campground is a designated primitive campsite. |
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Last updated: October 3, 2024