Join the fun near Leland. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Leland campgrounds just for you. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.
$30 / night
"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, our original destination."
"The island does have drinking water but you have to hike from your sites ot get it our you can get water from Lake Michigan and make it drinkable."
"Manitou Island is part of the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore and is located in Lake Michigan and offers days of discovery to be had. To get to N."
"After taking a ferry for a few hours across 12 miles of Lake Michigan, you finally arrive on North Manitou Island! The crossing helps to really remove you from the mainland you left behind."
"This designated campgroundon North Manitou is a short walk from the village where you have access to potable water as well as vault toilets in better condition than the toilets in the campground itself"
"Starting off with the ferry ride that leaves from Leland, MI was a pleasure created with smiling faces from the crew. What better way to start than a ride on Lake Michigan, a dream in itself."
"This place is primitive, but worth it.. lots of beautiful trails. 5 campsites on Power (big island) and apperantly 5 on Basset (little island) We kayaked with all our gear!!"
"This was the second place on our stop while visiting Michigan. The first place we stayed was nice, but super busy because there was a beach and lake."
"Friendly staff, plenty of space to spread out, really nice not to be so close to your neighbors! Beautiful area you can't go wrong here"
"Weather Station Campground is located on South Manitou Island and offers 20 individual sites and 3 group sites nearby. "
"A relatively short hike and simple hike, Weather Station offers some great scenic views of Lake Michigan."
$30 / night
"This campground is near the lake and about a mile from the ranger station. Less traveled place and so much to explore. BEAUTIFUL hiking!"
"Amazing fishing and spacious campsites fire away from everybody."
"Absolutely serene and secluded in the gorgeous northern Michigan wilderness.
This is a park and walk camping spot. Also permits are apparently required as this is a state park."
$40 / night
RangerQuiet 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!
RangerThis 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
LegendCampground Review: What an adorable little “backcountry” camp in the middle of Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore. Just 1.5 miles on a very easy sandy trail from the parking area at the Lake Michigan shore is this 6 site campground complete with a reasonably clean pit toilet and group cooking/campfire area with bear box.
Each site has a bit of privacy as they are well spread out from each other and have a good deal of space for multiple small tents, though no tent pads which could be a drainage issue. Nicely wooded, so lots of shade, but also lots of mosquitoes in the late spring/early summer months...bring your bug spray! The trail to the beach is just about ¼ mile across the dunes from the campground.
We ran into a group of young girls from a nearby summer camp who were experiencing their first “backpacking” adventure. They were adorable and having a ton of fun, but if you are seeking to get away from kids and tourists, be forewarned that the kid's camp nearby uses this area throughout the summer months.
In addition to this campground, there are endless options for activities in the area from dune climbing to all types of water sports to cycling to wine tasting to gorgeous sunsets! Lots of good eats in the village of Empire and Glen Arbor as well. The Village Inn in Empire has amazing pizza and Boonedocks in Glen Arbor has good food and fun music on the deck. Don't miss out on Cherry Republic's fun treats, too.
Backcountry permits of $10 per night are required from the Sleeping Bear Dunes Visitor’s Center.
Product Review: As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I was able to test the Klymit Motion 60 Backpack while camping at White Pine. My husband was in the market to update his old backpack when I won the May camping review contest from The Dyrt. I spent some additional money and purchased their top-of-the-line backpack for him to enjoy.
What we like most about this backpack:
Some concerns:
Product Link: https://www.klymit.com/motion-60-backpack.html
Product Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLq7TQPzPa8&t=8s
ScoutNo hookups, No problem! Very quiet campground on the Shores of Lake Michigan. Sites are large and private with large fire rings and picnic tables. Vault toilets only but they are kept very clean.
GuidePros: Designated dish-washing sink, as well as shower/bathroom building for walk-in sites specifically. Short 0.8 mile hike from camp to Lake Michigan. Bear boxes are shared between only two adjacent campsites, and are large.
Cons: Walk-in sites have essentially no privacy and are much less secluded than other walk-in sites where I have stayed at other parks. I was at site A003, which abutted adjacent A-loop sites as well as B-loop sites. The other sites were visible, and folks at a neighboring site were playing music late into the night.
TravelerThere are 2 sections of Schecks Place. One is a campground with picnic tables and site numbers.
The other is the trail camp. You drop your money in the box pick a spot of as much space as you want (there is hardly ever a lot of people).
The last 2 times we went there was maybe one or two people with their horses or just passing thru.
There are bathrooms and a well for water. No showers No electric.
The river runs by and is awesome to go tubing down.
There are trails that go through so if you are an equestrian this spot is perfect.
LegendDH Bear. Sept 2023
(Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(70 yr olds in 17’ trailer). I rate based on desire for at least a moderate wilderness type experience w at least some camp site privacy.
Overall Rating: 3.75
Price 2023:
Usage during visit: Very full
Site Privacy: Most sites are not real great.
Site Spacing: Close
Site surface: Gravel
Reservations: Yes
Campground Noise: Fine
Road Noise: Bone
Through Traffic in campground: No
Electric Hookup: No. Platt River CG has electricity.
Sewer Hookup: No
Dump Station: Yes
Potable Water Available: Yes
Generators: Be careful. Some sites do not allow generators. The more private sites are in the No-generator loop .
Bathroom: Yes
Showers: No
Setting: Forest
Weather: Very nice
Bugs: Not bad
Solar: Most sites do not offer enough sunlight .
GuideGreat 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).
GuideEnjoyed 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.
Tent camping near Leland, Michigan offers a unique blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, perfect for those looking to escape into the wilderness.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best season for tent camping in Leland, Michigan?
Summer (June through August) is the prime season for tent camping near Leland, offering warm temperatures ideal for enjoying Lake Michigan. Weather Station Campground — Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on South Manitou Island provides picturesque views during this peak season. Early fall (September) brings fewer crowds and comfortable temperatures, while still maintaining accessibility to most campgrounds. Mid-July can be buggy at island sites like South Manitou Island Group. For kayaking to remote sites, early morning departures are recommended, especially if heading to locations like Power Island County Park. Most island campgrounds are inaccessible during winter months due to ferry service limitations.
Where are the best tent camping sites near Leland, Michigan?
The Leland area offers excellent tent camping opportunities within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Village Campground — Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on North Manitou Island is accessible via a 40-minute ferry ride from Leland and features secluded sites with community fire rings. For a mainland option, White Pine Backcountry Camp — Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is just a 1.5-mile hike on an easy sandy trail from Lake Michigan, offering six sites with pit toilets. Other notable options include Power Island County Park in Grand Traverse Bay and Pinney Bridge, which requires a short hike to access its primitive sites.
What amenities are available at campgrounds in Leland, MI?
Campgrounds near Leland offer varying levels of amenities. Bay Campground — Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore provides fire pits at each site but has no showers, no potable water (bring filtration equipment), and only vault toilets. On North Manitou Island, the North Manitou Island Backcountry Campsites are primitive, but campers staying at Village Campground can access potable water in the nearby village area. South Manitou Island has drinking water available but requires hiking from campsites to retrieve it. Most island campgrounds feature fire rings, vault toilets, and tent pads, but lack electricity, showers, and cell service. Be prepared for primitive conditions, especially at remote sites.
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