## 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. 
## Nearby Attractions

 The historic area of Glen Haven, which features a working blacksmith shop, a 1920s-era general store and Sleeping Bear Point Maritime Museum, is within a short drive of the campground. 
## contact\_info

 For local information, please call (231) 326-4700 or call (877) 444-6777 for general information.
## Charges &amp; Cancellations

D.H. Day Campground — Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

This campground, first and foremost, requires a National Park Pass, which is $20/week or $40/year, for 1 year from purchase date.
Tent camping was $20/night.
This campground was in a great location, lots of signage helps you find it and navigate the roads without use of GPS. Seriously, you don’t need one. At least from Empire, anyway. 
One thing to be cautious of is the poison ivy. It is everywhere. Two other notes on the side of caution, when my mom and I were hiking in the area we did see two ticks, and secondly, the campground is an active black bear area, so keep food and scents in your car. 
You will be located near Glen Arbor, Glen Haven, and Empire, and quite close to the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive as well as the Sleeping Bear Dunes. 
The campground backs right up to the Heritage Trail, which is 20 paved miles to hike, bike, walk, ski, or whatever. 
Th campground, while quite packed, was still so so quiet at night, which was really nice. The tent pad is nice and level which really matters when it rains, like it did while we stayed. 
Firewood is available out of a mobile vending machine, and takes $5 bills. 
WiFi is available at the ranger station, I believe.


Perfect Day Away

Great access to dunes, beautiful state and national park.  Sites are leveled, cleared and overall very well kept.  I liked the tent sites best.  Wooded in between most sites.  

D. H. Day Campground

D. H. Day Campground is a family favorite and looked forward to any opportunity to go! Located in Empire, Michigan and part of the National Park Service and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.  

Located directly on Lake Michigan's shoreline and in close proximity to everything outdoors and cool...its the place to go!  Sleeping Bear Dunes is a must see and experience...every aspect of the dunes! Climb the Dunes and make your way to the beach...on the Dunes Trail...its gotta be the longest mile you'll push through sand...but well worth the dip in Lake Michigan at its end. 

From atop the initial climb, turn back and behold the turquoise waters of the sandy bottomed Glen Lake...you'd swear you were in the tropics.  

On the north end of the Dunes, where the roadway deadends into the Lake, is the Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum (now that's a mouthful). The museum is interesting and full of history of the predecessors of the Coast Guard. Learn of the ships that had gone down in these tempestuous waters. Watch reenactments of bringing the cannon out that shot the rescue line across the sinking vessel. Great stuff!  

The local towns are quaint and Glen Arbor is the draw. The lure of ice cream is always a plus...and the local pizza shop (Riverfront PIzza and Deli), where you can sit on the porch, perched on the hairpin of Crystal River.  D.H. Day Campground too, is set on the shores of Lake Michigan...offering miles of beach to comb...and cool, clear water to relax in. 

Grand views of the North and South Manitou Island from the beach of D.H. Day invite you to take the ferry or paddle your way to isolated, primitive camping on North Manitou Island's Village Campground.  Facilities are more than adequate, the 88 sites offer a measure of privacy, and its always been quiet. If you have kiddos, the rangers offer several programs to keep their interest.  

Bring your bikes, your boats and boards...and use them all. Several nice hiking trails exist inland as well...and are loaded with blackberries and huckleberries. Roads are traveled lightly enough where cycling is enjoyable.  

Sunsets are spectacular! Plan a visit...you will thank me!  

**Always check warnings and alerts on their website...they were closed for a spell after a horrendous storm whipped through and felled a lot of trees in the campground.

What a Day!

**Campground Review:** This beautifully wooded campground sits on the edge of Lake Michigan, just south of the famous Sleeping Bear Dunes. All sites have picnic tables and fire rings, and water spigots and pit toilets are scattered throughout the campground. Some sites have direct access to the beach and there is a nice bike/walking path connected to the campground. It can accommodate everything from tents to very large RV’s.

No matter if you are into climbing dunes, cycling, water sports or watching sunsets, there is something for everyone to do. There is even a unique firewood vending truck which allows you to get wood whenever you want it!

Just a few miles from the campground are the towns of Empire and Glen Arbor, which have great eats and drinks at various restaurants. Be sure to stop by the famous Cherry Republic, the ode to the deliciously tart Michigan cherry.

**Product Review:** As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I was able to test the [Men's OOcloog Project Pink Clog](https://www.oofos.com/collections/ribbon/products/oofos-ribbon-oocloog-mens?variant=17167489093). I won a gift card from The Dyrt in May and ordered a pair for myself and my husband.

_What I like most about these shoes:_

*   Very comfortable and lightweight. I’m on my feet all day at work and my feet don’t hurt at the end. It’s kind of like having one of those cushy “cashier mats” attached to your feet.
*   I wear socks with them mostly, and my feet don’t sweat. My feet do sweat quite a bit without socks though.
*   Great traction. I’ve worn them on slippery surfaces without a problem -- campground showers, on the boat, and in a commercial kitchen.
*   Versatile and classy. They can go from work to play because they have cleaner lines and a slimmer toe box than most other plastic clogs. I now wear them as much camping as a I do at work.
*   Quite durable, with no signs of wear yet.

_Some challenges we encountered:_

*   Shipping is sllooowww. It took almost 2 weeks for these shoes to arrive and they were not on backorder. Now, to be fair, shipping is free, but seems like it could be much faster since they were shipped FedEx. Plan ahead if you want to order these shoes for a special trip.
*   Sizing chart on the website doesn’t seem accurate. Women’s shoes run a size smaller. If you are a 9, order a 10.

**Product Link:** [https://www.oofos.com/collections/ribbon/products/oofos-ribbon-oocloog-mens?variant=17167489093](https://www.oofos.com/collections/ribbon/products/oofos-ribbon-oocloog-mens?variant=17167489093)

**Product Video:** [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Hfcc1fQYyY&amp;t=5s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Hfcc1fQYyY&amp;t=5s)

Ranger Review:  OOFOS Men's OOcloog Project Pink Clog at D. H. Day Campground

I have been to D.H. Day repeatedly over the years. It is one of my favorite campgrounds on the planet. All the sites are close to the beach. The campground is a great base to explore the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes National park. The campground is close to Glen Arbor where you can get a decent dinner.

Great Place for a Family Camping Trip

Great location and very close to Lake Michigan. Glen Arbor and Traverse City were close by as well. Enjoyed morning walks on the beach and a nice refreshing swim. It was also a nice campground to walk through with a few side trails. The camp sites were spacious and well kept.

But the reason I am giving it a 3 is because of the poison ivy. I am not allergic but did touch a log for our fire that had come in contact with the plant. My girlfriend ended up with the rash and we were later told that DH Day is known for having poison ivy.

Watch out for Poison Ivy 

We stayed in the group sites. Got lucky with one off on its own. The other sites had no privacy. Right on the back side of a huge dune that you can climb. Right down the road from the official Dune Climb &amp; Scenic Drive. 

Good Location

Quiet campground with sites quite close to one another. This campground butts up to the heritage trail, which is 20 miles of hiking, biking, walking, or skiing fun. A short walk will get you to Lake Michigan and it’s sandy beach. Each site has a nice picnic table, a designated tent pad (if it’s a tent site) and a fire ring with a grill top. 
Firewood is available on site for $5/bundle, vault toilets are also available. No shower facilities. 
Lots and lots of poison ivy! Stay on the paths!! And tIcks! Stay in trails and out of tall grass or weeds.
The tent pad is very compacted ground, definitely need a hammer or decent sized rock to pound in the tent stakes, and also definitely bring a sleeping pad or air mat. 
Tent sites are only $20/night, but you also need a National Park Pass, which is $20/1 week or $40/ 1 year, so be aware of that! 
Stayed at site 88, seemed to be a slightly more “roomy” site than others, as there were no neighbors behind us. 
PLUS thIs Is located very near to thw sleepIng bear dunes and natIonal lake shore!



Sleeping Bear Bliss

This campground is in this system ( the Dyrt) like 3 times under similar names, and I just want to be sure you all know how great it is!
This is a first-come-first-served campground, so get there earlier in the day if you want a site, even on a weekday. There are rustic bathrooms, no flushing, no sink, nothing. No showers available here, either. However, it is so close to Glen Haven, Glen Arbor, Empire, and the Sleeping Bear Dunes. The location is truly fabulous.
You are able to take a short walk down to Lake Michigan from your site. 
The sites are hard packed ground, dirt, rocks...so bring a mallet or hammer to pound in your tent stakes! I would also advise a sleeping pad or air mat for this same reason. The tent pads are nice and level though, which is awesome. It rained quite a bit over night when I stayed, so I’m thankful for the level ground.
There is LOTS of poison ivy on location, so stay on the trails!!! 
Sites were only $20/night but you also need a National park pass which is $20/week or $40/year, so be mindful of that. 
This is also an “Active Black Bear Site,” so everything with a scent—clothes, candles, etc., must be stored in your vehicle. No, we did not see any bears while we were there.
Everyone was very friendly, and the campground was so much more quiet than anticipated. It was very peaceful and serene. 
Firewood is available for purchase on site through a wood vending machine basically, so have $5 bills on hand.
Stayed at site #88

Perfect Proximity

One of my favorite parts of MI. 35 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. The campground is 4 miles from Glen Arbor and barely a mile walk to Glen Haven. The Heritage trail runs right through the campground. The sites are rustic and wooden and farther apart than normal sites. The campground is between Glen Lake and you can walk to the shore of Lake Michigan. Nearby the dune climb, Empire bluffs and North Bar Lake as well. 

DH Day and Sleeping Bear Dunes

So much fun! Easy to explore the Leelanau District of Sleeping Bear from here. Bike path runs through and easy boardwalk to a picture perfect Lake Michigan beach. All types of rustic spots. Clean bathrooms and friendly staff. Fire rings and picnic table at each. 

Excellent spot!

We spent most of our time at the pet friendly beach. So many places to hike and so much fun to swim. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. We hiked or swam, visited and attempted to climb the dunes lol, saw some shows at the amphitheater and saw a historic cabin on site. A firewood vending machine? Pretty basic camping but very nice.

Great campground, close to so much to do!

Picked up the spot a couple of hours we pulled in pleasantly surprised when we got here spacious sites. But we got one right next to an out house and ranger talk site which had lots of foot traffic through our site. 

Wild camping 

Camped here in late October. Small rustic campground right on shores of Lake Michigan in Sleeping Bear Dunes. So beautiful-quick walk to the most beautiful beach. Expected to see sunsets but surprised with awesome sunrises! Fall colors the best. Pit toilets but does have water filling station and dumping station!  Most sites suitable for tents and small campers but there are a couple of sites where larger RVs can fit. Nearby Glen Arbor so quaint. Can see why Sleeping Bear Dunes voted  most beautiful beach in America. Loved that they had separate sites for those using generators (I personally find the noise of those sooooo irritating!).  Even in fall campground was mostly filled on weekend but very quiet. 

So Beautiful! 

Site 60 gave us direct beach access (short path over the dunes). The Heritage bike/hike trail (22 mi.) runs right through the campground. 17 nearby trails greet you along with the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. A few miles away, little town of Glen Arbor has a smattering of shops, restaurants, and a market and gas station. There’s so much to explore here, don’t expect to do it in one day. Now go search for Petoskey Stones!

Beach. Hike and Bike Trails. Nicely Wooded.

Site 60 landed us right on the Heritage Trail. A private footpath over the dunes directly behind our campsite led to the gorgeous beach and a clear view of the night sky. A brief stroll takes you to historic Glen Harbor. A quick drive or bike ride will land you at the Dunes trail or Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. 2.5 miles by car or bike on the Heritage Trail leads to all the conveniences of Glen Arbor. Mid-October brought a crisp chill and some rain, but with warm sleeping bags and extra blankets, we were tent cozy. There was more than our two night stay allowed time to explore. We’ll be back!

Close to so many wonders!

I was raised near here and the camping at DH Day is always great. Sites are compacted and sometimes you're in a puddle if it rains, but the Beach &amp; view of the stars make up for anything that's lacking. Reserve 6 months in advance to get your site--the good ones are hard to get now that booking can be done online.

It's a short bike ride along the Heritage trail to Glen Haven historical area or Glen Arbor, which although busy in summer, has several great restaurants &amp; lots of shops to buy anything you need. The Crystal River also runs through here &amp;  is great for kayaking, tubing, or canoeing. 

Drive a few miles &amp; you can climb Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes or head over to Empire Village Beach for a perfect sunset &amp; place for kids to play.  

One of the best places

Went with some friends and the campground was very nice with available bathrooms but the sites were a little close so if that is a problem this might not be for u. Overall this was a great campsite right by sleeping bear and perfect for families too. :)

Very good campground

Great campsite with spacious sites not too close to each other. Sites are close to the beach (3-5 min walk). Vault toilets are to be expected. Quiet at night when I was there. Easy access to hiking trails and Glen Arbor. Would stay again! $20 for basic tent site (non-electric).

Great spots, close to beach

We camped at the rustic sites, and they were absolutely wonderful. Sleeping Bear Dunes would be rivaling Wilderness State Park and/or Hiawatha NF on the Lake Michigan coast in the UP as my favorite, #1 spot I’ve ever camped/visited. Most of the state parks in Michigan along the Lake Michigan coast have cool sand dunes, and they’re all relatively similar in their spectacular beauty and overall area they cover. Sleeping Bear Dunes is on a completely different level. I’d say it’s area is about 10 times the square mileage as most other parks along the coast. It is massive, provides the ultimate dune hikers dream hike, and everyone loves the sand dune climb. We only spent 3 days there on our summer expedition, and I left feeling like I missed so much…this is a place where I’d want to go back and post up for a 1-2 week deal, and just be there. Sleeping Bear Dunes is truly a magical place, and it’s obvious now after visiting why it’s renowned in countless blogs, magazines, reviews, etc. as one of the most beautiful places on Earth, not just America. I absolutely cannot wait to go back. I think I might actually go up there this winter for an adventure and see what the winter life is all about up there. Also, the whole Leelanau area is rich in Native American history, which I would encourage anyone visiting the area to brush up on and research a little bit about for an optimal spiritual experience.

Paradise in the Midwest

This was my first time camping (ever) and DH Day was beautiful, peaceful and nice. 

Wonderful rustic camping! 

Just wrote a long review and Dyrt app crashed. :( alright!  In a nutshell!!! This was a wonderful spot. Direct walking access to Sleeping Bear Heritage trail and the beach!  We camped with our 18’ Tab trailer-our site had plenty of sun for solar.  Sites were well positioned. And well thought out in addition to room for our trailer car picnic table and fire pit there was also a tent pad that would have been fab if we had a bigger pack!  There is a good deal of poison ivy around sites and pathways you need to be mindful of.  We just had to limit Our two dogs sniffing routine and get them sorted before dark made it super manageable.  Definitely will return ,absolutely loved this campgrounds.  A quiet, serene, idyllic rustic camp option in a stunning National Park. 

Wonderful rustic campgrounds

Stayed October 4, 2021.

Plenty of room at campsites and sites were spaced out.  Vault toilet was clean.  Sites have table and fire ring.  Water and dump station available.  Easy walk on boardwalk through dunes to Lake Michigan.  Platte River campground has showers if you want to take the drive.  The large dune climb was close by.  Just up the road was Glen Haven with its historic village and a Coast Guard station museum, but all were closed when we were there.

Some sites would not be able to accommodate pull campers or large RVs.

Great campground in Sleeping Bear right on lake.

Overall the campground has a very pleasant and rustic charm. The foliage helps create privacy but the campsites are close in proximity overall. The one warning that should be more clearly indicated is that there is poison ivy surrounding every single site so please be aware if you have pets and small children. The fact that there was so much poison ivy is the only reason I gave it four stars. Lake Michigan is a short walk away and you are able to walk to sleeping bear dunes along the beach. For those who would like convenience Glen Arbor is only five minutes down the main road and has a ton of restaurants, parks and a nice grocery store.

D.H. Day Campground

This was one of the loveliest campgrounds I’ve been to. The little town around it is cute, and the campground makes the perfect central location to explore from. The sand dune climbs are amazing. Site 30 was close to the toilet, water fountain and firewood vending machine.


Wish we could’ve stayed longer 

Enjoyed the D H Day Campground. Really liked the elevated boxes for tent placement and the site was clean. Pretty close to your neighbors, but our site still had some good tree cover. Easy walk to Lake Michigan through the campground. Vaulted toilets, community water and trash. Make sure you have bug spray. Great proximity to Glen Arbor and Empire. Short drive to the dunes for hiking and cannot over recommend Empire Beach to watch a sunset. 

D H Day Campground

nice sites near a wonderful bike path and close to attractions.

tent camping

Great rustic campground with a short  boardwalk to the beach. The amphitheater with kid focused programs was a great bonus. 

Rustic but fantastic

Nice wooded sites. Amazing beach access. Quiet. 

One of my favorites 

Went at the end of August and lucked out to get one spot for a tent. The campground was full, so you could definitely see and hear your neighbours. There are a few spots that are more private, but you’ll likely have to book in advance. Great access to walking trails and the beach. 

Popular Spot

Went there in late October of 2022 and man was it a cold night to stay in a tent. We got there late, put tents up in the dark, ate dinner late from a local watering hole. But once we got situated, we went to the beach to skywatch and it was beautiful and worth every second.