Camping in Glen Arbor offers access to over 35 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The area sits at approximately 600 feet above sea level with summer temperatures averaging 75-80°F during peak season. Winter camping remains available at select campgrounds where temperatures regularly drop below freezing between November and March.
What to do
Kayak Platte River: The river provides a popular route for paddlers looking for gentle currents suitable for beginners. "We do a lot of camping all throughout Michigan. We are from Traverse city and this is our go-to campground. We camp on full moon nights and hit the river for night kayaking," notes a visitor to Platte River Campground.
Explore historic sites: South Manitou Island contains preserved homesteads and a lighthouse with daily tours. "There is a Light house that has daily tours, a ship wreck and old growth ceder trees you can hike to along with the dunes," explains one camper who visited South Manitou Island Group.
Winter stargazing: Late season campers can enjoy exceptional night sky viewing when crowds thin out. "We went to the beach to skywatch and it was beautiful and worth every second," reports a camper who visited D.H. Day Campground in October.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the natural separation at certain campgrounds. "The sites in the three loops are nicely placed so that you have foliage and space between sites but also close enough for larger groups to spread out and still feel like they are camping in a group," notes a visitor to Platte River Campground.
Lake access: Waterfront campsites provide both recreation and convenience. "Site 3 has easy access to an overlook which we made use of for photos of a storm that rolled in over North Manitou Island," describes a camper at Weather Station Campground.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained restrooms and shower facilities matter to campers. "Bathroom facilities were excellent and clean. Firewood is available to purchase in the campground," reports a visitor to Platte River Campground.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most popular sites book months in advance. "Reservations are extremely hard to get for this park. If you want a weekend campsite, you must book six months in advance!" warns a visitor to Platte River Campground.
Wildlife considerations: Bears have been spotted in some camping areas. "There was a bear spotted in the group area during our stay," notes a camper at Platte River Campground, who advises, "DO NOT LEAVE FOOD OUT!"
Water sources: Campers on islands need proper filtration equipment. "There is no access to clean drinking water at the campground, so plan on filtering water from Lake Michigan, or walking approximately 1.5 miles to the dock area to collect water there," explains a visitor to Weather Station Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with programming: Some locations offer educational activities. "The amphitheater with kid focused programs was a great bonus," shares a visitor to Empire Township Campground.
Bring tick prevention: Several campers reported tick encounters. "The ticks are bad this year and we heard several people in the park talking about having a tick on them," warns a camper who visited Platte River Campground.
Consider ferry schedule implications: Island camping requires extra planning. "I'd also recommend bringing more food than you think you need, in case the weather turns and the ferry can't pick you up on the day planned," advises a visitor to South Manitou Island Group.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Not all sites accommodate larger rigs comfortably. "The pull through sites are a U-shaped paved driveway. Some pull through sites are VERY small so be careful when you book your reservation," cautions a visitor to Platte River Campground.
Hookup options: Full-service sites are limited but available. "The site had full hookups and was considered to be one of the premium sites. It included electric, sewer, water, cable, and WiFi when it worked," reports a camper who stayed at Indigo Bluffs RV Park.
Leveling challenges: Some sites require additional equipment. "The staff was so helpful when they escorted us to the site & helped us back in they had levels they brought & put under one side of the travel trailer to level us," explains a visitor to Leelanau Pines Campground.
