Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. Find the best campgrounds near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.
"Also they have small cabins. They offer full hookups as well as 30 & 50 amp service. Nice shower and bathroom facilities, coin laundry, pool, and camp store."
"It has a fire pit, nearby bathrooms, WiFi, and was in short driving distance to the Sleeping Bear Dunes and Traverse City."
"300+ sites, pet friendly, sites for all shapes and sizes. Open year round, with heated cabins. It's a great location, just across from Traverse Bay with just across the road."
"Sites are small and pretty close together but shaded with electric at site (134) and centrally located bathhouse with hot water and well kept. Dish washing station available."
$33 - $85 / night
"Bathrooms are always clean as are the showers. There's wood and ice on the property. A great little cafet. A small general store. We have so much fun here. Tge owners are amazing."
"All sites have electric. They have lots of little cute cabins through the park as well. They have a small simple playground that my kids loved! Super close to Lake Michigan and the river."
$36 - $109 / night
"It's right on Lake Leelanau, and they even rent boat slips. There is a tiny beach, fun for an afternoon dip with the kids."
"Situated just a few miles from the village of Lake Leelanau is this truly immaculately kept, family-owned and operated RV park."
$20 / night
"It is rustic, with no electricity or modern bathrooms (pit toilet). Most of the sites are wooded and some are a little smaller. Perfect for tent camping and smaller popups. "
"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."
$35 - $55 / night
"They offer 40x50 sites, fire pits, and a picnic table. Potable water hydrants and porta-johns are available! Check them out and come back here to leave them some love."
"There is no swimming pool, no tennis courts, no shuffleboard, no fitness center, no playground, in fact there were not even bathrooms/showers (except for porta john and tent shower in the rustic camping"
"The tent camping area has 10 sites, is nestled in the trees, with a picnic table and fire ring at each site."
$55 - $75 / night
"Came up here for my anniversary getaway with my fiancé, booked for two nights and the second day had an emergency come up and had to leave!"
"This cabin is a joy to stay in. Brennin, Jamie, and their dog Rue are gracious hosts."
$60 - $260 / night
"There is a camp store, turbo bikes, a variety of family activities, a pool, playground, bike park, equipment and rentals, laundry facility, cabins, cottages, and yurts for rent."
"We were searching for a super last minute campground near Traverse City for Memorial Weekend and everything within a quick drive seemed booked."
$27 - $90 / night
"Typical rustic camper, so camping close to others is not my typical cup of tea, but I messed up my rustic campsite reservation by week and managed to get the last open spot for the weekend in the main"
"Just spent 5 nights at site 185 that borders along the north trail. Had an issue with noise one night but a ranger took care of it. Buildings were clean and staff was very nice."
RangerThis campground is huge! 300+ sites, pet friendly, sites for all shapes and sizes. Open year round, with heated cabins. It's a great location, just across from Traverse Bay with just across the road. With that being said, one downside is that road, a VERY busy main drag through Traverse City. Very loud. There is s bridge walk over said busy road to beach access. The campground was very busy and bustling with families. Only 30 minutes from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
ScoutSites are small and pretty close together but shaded with electric at site (134) and centrally located bathhouse with hot water and well kept. Dish washing station available. Clean campground; even with lots of people, pretty quiet. 45 minutes from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Can catch bus for ride into town where there are lots of shops, breweries, etc - very nice town. There is traffic and plane noise. There is a pedestrian bridge to go over to the park along the bay. z Family friendly. Nice roads to bike on and explore the campground.
LegendWe visited Wild Cherry RV Resort on the recommendation of some friends and found the park to be nicely maintained, sites were well-spaced, and we LOVED the area. Our site was a pull-in that faced a large pond on a corner that overlooked a four-acre lake. We never had a neighbor on the site next to us during our stay and since we were on a large corner there was nobody on that side either so we never felt crowded. The park was very quiet and since our site was in the back of the park there was not much traffic.
The park is called a “resort” which is a little misleading because there are very few amenities. There is no swimming pool, no tennis courts, no shuffleboard, no fitness center, no playground, in fact there were not even bathrooms/showers (except for porta john and tent shower in the rustic camping section). There was a small club house and a driving range but that was pretty much it. You do get a free newspaper delivered to your site daily. It turned out that we didn’t care about the lack of amenities since we were so busy exploring and we don’t often use all the amenities that private parks offer anyway. The park is a mix of seasonal and transient people. Most of the seasonal people went to work during the day which made the park even quieter. And while they do have a lot of seasonal campers none of the sites were junked up. Sites are gravel with paved patios with the average lot being 45x70 (according to their brochure). There are nice grassy areas between sites that is very well-maintained. All sites have picnic tables but not all have fire pits (if you have your own you are allowed to use it).
The roads are very wide and there are not too many trees so maneuvering big-rigs is not a problem. The water, sewer, and electric were all placed appropriately in the site so no extended hoses were needed. There was no cable but sites are very open allowing for good satellite reception and we were able to get over a dozen antenna channels. Sites are either pull-in (which we had) or back-in. There are no pull-thrus. Set back in a wooded area are a scattering of rustic tent sites, rental cabins and yurts with potable water, grills, fire pits, and picnic tables. These sites are so tucked in a wooded area that I never noticed them until the last day I was in the park.
There is a lot of activities within a short drive of this park and we wished we would have stayed longer. The park is in a perfect location to explore the towns of Leland (and Fishtown), Lake Leelanau, Northport, and Sutton’s Bay. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and the town of Glen Arbor are a 20 minute drive and Traverse City is about 45 minutes. All these towns are quaint coastal towns with shopping, galleries, good restaurants. The park is on the Leelanau Peninsula which is one of Michigan’s most well-known and revered wine region and there are three wineries within a couple of miles (one is just across the street from the entrance). That being said, there are nearly some 20 wineries within 15 – 20 minutes of the park. There are a few state parks and county preserves nearby that have hiking, scenic views of Lake Michigan and picturesque lighthouses.
All-in-all we really liked this park and would definitely come back. We took advantage of their “Big-Rig Special” which gave a 25% discount if you booked 4 nights. Otherwise, the price per night was $69 which we found to be expensive for what you get. The biggest dings we give this park are for the high nightly price and the lack of amenities that should come in a “resort” with that high a price. This area is one of our favorites in Michigan and we easily could have spent a couple of weeks here enjoying the area.
RangerIf you are looking for a camping getaway, this may not be the place for you. It is always bustling with action, but can be lots of fun! I would definitely say this is geared more towards children and families than an escape into nature. There is a camp store, turbo bikes, a variety of family activities, a pool, playground, bike park, equipment and rentals, laundry facility, cabins, cottages, and yurts for rent. This is also a pet friendly campground, so there are many dogs. Probably one of my favorite parts was dodgeball... and the multiple bike trails that connect to the VASA trail system.
LegendThe location of this campground is great and it's best feature in my opinion! This park is just two miles to downtown Traverse City (one of Michigan’s most popular resort towns), a quarter mile from a pretty beach and the beautiful blue waters of Lake Michigan, and it sits along the TART Trail which is a 10.5-mile bicycle trail running through the city.
While the park is small at just 47 acres, it holds pretty many campsites – approximately 350 (and two cabins). Campsites are set among tall pine trees so there is a bit of shade but that also means that they are sandy with little grass. Roads are paved and narrow if you are trying to maneuver with a large (40+ RV) and you may have difficulty backing into your site with the numerous trees lining the road. All sites are back-in with electric. Sites and patios are sandy with varying degrees of levelness. There is a dump station and water spigots are scattered throughout the campground. Picnic tables and fire pits are at each site. Sites are $31/night ($49/night for the cabins) and reserveable online.
This park is right on US-31/M-72 which means there is easy access in and out but it can be noisy if your campsite is close to the road. Expect the campground to be very busy on weekends and in the summer and tightly packed.
Amenities include: picnic area, beach, fishing, hiking/bicycling trail, three bathhouses, playground area, camp store, pet walk (no off-leash dog park).
Outside of the park there is a lot to do in Traverse City. Early July is the ever-popular Cherry Festival which lasts for a week. But you better book your campsite early if you want to enjoy all the festivities (which happen to be close to the park). The summer farmers market is great and held every Wednesday and Saturday. Early in the season, asparagus is plentiful and locally-grown asparagus is the best you will ever have being super sweet, tender, and inexpensive. For beer drinkers, consider paddling the beer trail that takes you from Boardman Lake to Lake Michigan and past numerous breweries where you pull over for a pint. If it's ice cream you want, you have come to the right place. There are multiple creameries with Moomer's being our favorite and for some reason eating it right at the farm stand was the best.
GuideThis is a smaller wooded campground at the very northern tip of Leelanau Peninsula. It is rustic, with no electricity or modern bathrooms (pit toilet). Most of the sites are wooded and some are a little smaller. Perfect for tent camping and smaller popups. Since it's at the end of the land mass, the waves are stronger and always in the back ground. It's a wonderful way to fall asleep! There is a lighthouse you can tour and a small maritime museum on the property. The beach is a fair size but all rocks (no sand). There are a couple small cabins with bunks, electricity and grills.
GuideWe were here over July 4 in mini cabin. We had been back country camping before that so were happy to have a cabin for a couple nights. Mini cabin is at tip of park with nice view of lake Michigan sunsets. Cabin had mini fridge, coffee pot, ceiling fan, and I think a heater for winter. 2 sets of sturdy bunk beds. Camp sites were packed with RVs and tents. I don't think I've ever seen a more crowded camp ground. Many campers brought their own bikes, kayaks, boats so there must be lake access nearby but definitely not from this park. Beach inaccessible due to high lake waters. Outhouse was clean and well maintained. Showers a short walk away.
ScoutThis campground has two sides, the campground which accommodates tents, campers and RVs. Also they have small cabins. They offer full hookups as well as 30 & 50 amp service. Nice shower and bathroom facilities, coin laundry, pool, and camp store. The other side is the “luxury RV Resort” with concrete pads, grass, ponds and lots of greenery. Very upscale.
RangerUnfortunately this campground is one we don’t see a need to return to. It’s worth a one time visit but is missing several key things we enjoy about camping.
Pros: Campground shares a common area with the light house, walking over to the lighthouse was a fun experience. The new playground was a hit for the kids, one of the best playgrounds we have experienced at a state park.
Park provided several out houses, they do a very good job keeping them clean.
Lighthouse provided an area to sit and watch sunset, beautiful sunset! Walk past the fog building and follow the trail to the water :)
The views and trails are beautiful, local towns are super cute and easy to get to.
Site 4 is shaped weird but beautiful small view of the water and sits up high so you overlook it.
Site 3 is a long site, level and straight back. Nice site for campers
Site 2 fits a pop up nice and has a path to site 3 good for group camping
Cons: raccoons are insane! They are not afraid of anything. We were very good about putting everything away so we only had them visit our site a few times but the dumpster is full of them. They will walk right up to you. Not enjoyable at all! Bugs are pretty bad as well, mainly at night!
No shower house for those who would need one. Lake was lined of film so you couldn’t even rinse off.
There is no beach, you have water front which is beautiful but no beach. The water front is very rocky, and full off a brown sticky film that smelled bad, if you went over to the lighthouse it got better but still nasty. Nearest beach was a 5 minute drive and a 2 mile hike, it was fun but not ideal with tons of little kids.
We have been camping for years, tent, RV, hammock. Doesn’t matter what you are in as long as you are having a good time. Unfortunately the camp host ruined it for us, we did have our RV on this trip, 100 degrees and we have two littles. We were on a two week camping trip, spending the first 5 at this site and then heading to another, we left after 3. We notified neighbors if we needed to turn our generator on and tried not to since we have solar, with the high temps we needed to a few hours at a time. Quiet hours are after 10pm- 8 am so technically we could run it all day, understanding the desire for the nature noises we limited it. The campground host told us at 8pm our inverter generator needed to be turned off, at this time our littlest was finishing her breathing machine so we couldn’t and she got an attitude, we felt we were very respectful the entire time about this, the DNR notified us that we were okay and it was not a problem at all but we were over it by then. (this bad experience toward the end was due to our choice to bring an RV over tent.) If tenting you would not run into this issue.
If we take away our issue with the camp host inability to communicate respectfully we still would have left early. Maybe it was a bad year for the water, I should have looked into the beach area prior to going. Not enough pros to go again.
Cabin camping near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore offers a perfect blend of nature and comfort, making it an ideal getaway for families and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities do the cabins at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore offer?
While Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore itself doesn't offer cabins within the park boundaries, nearby options provide various amenities. Orchard Beach State Park Campground offers mini cabins equipped with mini-fridges, coffee pots, ceiling fans, and heaters for winter use. These cabins are strategically positioned for beautiful Lake Michigan sunset views. Alternatively, Traverse City State Park Campground features heated cabins that are available year-round, providing a comfortable option for visitors wanting to explore Sleeping Bear Dunes, which is about 45 minutes away.
When is the best time of year to stay in a cabin at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore?
Summer (June through August) is the prime season for cabin stays near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, offering warm temperatures perfect for swimming, hiking, and enjoying the dunes. Fall (September-October) brings spectacular colors to the region with fewer crowds. Leelanau State Park Campground, located at the northern tip of Leelanau Peninsula, offers a peaceful wooded setting during these seasons. For those seeking year-round options, Indigo Bluffs RV Park provides small cabins with access to amenities like showers, bathrooms, laundry facilities, and a pool, making it suitable for multi-season visits to the National Lakeshore.
Are there cabins available for rent within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore?
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore itself does not offer cabins for rent within the park boundaries. However, several nearby accommodations provide cabin options within easy driving distance. Wild Cherry RV Resort offers well-maintained sites with nicely spaced accommodations and is located in the same general area, providing convenient access to the National Lakeshore. Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort is another nearby option featuring family-friendly amenities. For those wanting to explore the dunes, these surrounding areas provide comfortable cabin accommodations while still allowing easy day trips to the park.
How much does it cost to rent a cabin at Sleeping Bear Dunes?
While Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore doesn't have cabins within the park itself, nearby cabin rentals vary in price depending on amenities and season. Traverse City KOA, located just south of Traverse City, offers cabin rentals that provide convenient access to Sleeping Bear Dunes. Typical cabin rentals in the region range from $65-$150 per night for basic cabins and can exceed $200 for more luxurious options with full amenities. Twin Oaks RV Campground and Cabins is another option in the area with varied pricing. Expect higher rates during peak summer season (June-August) and potential discounts during shoulder seasons.
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