Hiking, fishing, and water access draw campers to D.H. Day Group Campground, set within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore along Michigan's northwest Lower Peninsula. The site sits near a creek, river, and lake, with terrain that shifts between forested and open areas. Access is rough, so high-clearance vehicles are worth considering. No pets are permitted, and the group rate runs $40. Picnic tables and campfires are available. Campers wanting individual sites can look at D.H. Day Campground and Ranger Station nearby.
Description
Overview
D.H. Day Group Campground is a tent-only facility located in the heart of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, about one mile (1.6 km) north of the Dune Climb, where visitors can walk over miles of sand dunes. This year-round campground has four sites which accommodate groups of 7 to 25 people.
Recreation
D.H. Day Group is a hub for water activities. Motorized and non-motorized boating is allowed on the lake, with restrictions, and there is a boat ramp about six miles away by which boaters can access Lake Michigan. Campers can also rent canoes and kayaks in the town of Glen Harbor to float the nearby Crystal River. The beach at Glen Haven, which is popular for beachcombing and swimming, is about one mile away from the campground. There are no lifeguards on duty at the park's beaches. The facility is also close to the Dune Climb, where visitors can climb on sand dunes over 200 feet high, walk more than 1.5 miles on the dunes to Lake Michigan and catch a great view of Glen Lake.
Facilities
Picnic tables and campfire rings are provided at the campsites. The campground has drinking water during the reservation season, but the water is shut off from October through April. Pets and RVs are not allowed in the group sites. Access to the campground is via a dirt road.
Natural Features
The campground is open with sparse vegetation. Contrary to the park's name, bears are rarely sighted here, yet other wildlife such as birds, deer and wild turkey may be seen. Although the Lake Michigan shore is long and narrow, it has northern hardwood and conifer forests, abandoned farm meadows, wetlands, lakes, streams, bogs and splendid examples of a glacially formed landscape. The most prominent features in the park, for which it was named, are the perched sand dunes above Lake Michigan. The overlooks at Sleeping Bear, Empire and Pyramid Point bluffs are about 400 feet above the lake. With 65 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and numerous inland lakes and streams, the park is wonderfully water-oriented.
Contact Info
For local information, please call (231) 326-4700 or call (877) 444-6777 for general information.
Nearby Attractions
To the East and North:1.3 miles - Alligator Hill Trail - via Harwood Road (E), M-109 (S), Day Farm Road (E), & Stocking Road (N).1.5 miles - Historic Village of Glen Haven & the General Store bookstore2.0 miles - Maritime Museumand 2.3 miles - Sleeping Bear Point Trail3.2 miles - Village of Glen Arbor - where the Crystal River winds through town to Lake Michigan.7.3 miles - Port Onieda Historic District.21.8 miles - The Harbor Town of Leland serves as the gateway to both North and South Manitou Islands.__To the South:1.5 miles - The Dune Climb and Dune Center bookstore.3.5 miles - Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, home of the Lake Michigan Overlook.__6.5 miles - Village of Empire.
Fee Info
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore charges an entrance fee for each vehicle (apart from camping fees). You may pay the entrance fee upon arrival at a staffed location or purchase in advance. The park also honors America the Beautiful-the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands passes* (also known as an interagency pass, e.g., Senior, 4th Grade, Military, etc.), For more information visit the park's Fees & Passes web page._NOTE: Effective March 1, 2023, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore only accepts card payment (no cash or checks)._*Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore does not honor the Michigan Recreation Passport which only covers entrance fees for Michigan State Parks.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsD.H. Day Group Campground is located in Michigan near Glen Arbor
Public CampgroundDirections
From Traverse City, Michigan take M-72 west to Empire. Proceed 2.1 miles (3.4 km) north of Empire on M-22. Go 4.1 miles (6.6 km) north on M-109 to West Harwood Road. Take a left on West Harwood Road and continue all the way to the end of the road to D.H. Day Group Campground. Reservation holders MUST check-in and pay entrance fees at D.H. Day Group Campground 8000 W Harbor Highway, Glen Arbor, MI 49636
Address
SLEEPING BEAR DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE
9922 FRONT STREET
Empire, MI 49630
Coordinates
44.8916667 N
86.0427778 W
Connectivity
T-MobileLTESome Coverage- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 9/3/26
AT&T5GExcellent Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileLTESome Coverage
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 9/3/26
- AT&T5GExcellent Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Picnic Table
- Reservable
- Fires
For Vehicles
- 30 Amp Hookups
Drive Time
- 36 min from Traverse City, MI
- 2 hrs 25 min from Muskegon, MI
- 4 hrs 40 min from Sheboygan, WI
- 4 hrs 53 min from Green Bay, WI
