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Best Tent Camping near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

674 Reviews

Tent campgrounds in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore include several island-based options with primitive facilities. South Manitou Island offers three distinct tent camping areas—Bay Campground, Weather Station Campground, and Popple Campground—each accessible only by ferry service from mainland Michigan. North Manitou Island provides backcountry tent sites throughout the island and a designated Village Campground near the ferry dock. White Pine Backcountry Camp offers a mainland option with tent sites approximately 1.5 miles from Lake Michigan.

Backcountry tent camping on both Manitou Islands requires proper preparation as amenities are minimal. Most sites feature fire rings, though fires are prohibited in certain areas of North Manitou Island except at the Village Campground. Potable water is limited—available at the dock area on South Manitou but requiring a 1.5-mile hike from Weather Station Campground. Campers should bring water filtration equipment for treating water from Lake Michigan. A visitor commented that "you must pack in anything you will need and pack out all of your trash." Vault toilets are available at most designated campgrounds but may be some distance from individual sites. No showers or electric hookups exist at any tent sites within the national lakeshore.

The tent-only camping experience offers exceptional privacy and natural immersion. Tent sites on South Manitou Island provide varying degrees of seclusion—Weather Station Campground features sites on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan with private trails to the beach below. "Some sites offer amazing views of Lake Michigan atop some small bluffs which make this campground amazing," noted one camper. North Manitou Island allows dispersed camping (with restrictions against camping within 300 feet of the shore) across its 15,000 acres, creating opportunities for complete solitude. Hiking trails connect historical ruins, abandoned orchards, and diverse landscapes including forests, dunes, and beaches. The mainland White Pine Backcountry Camp provides a less remote option while still offering a wilderness experience, with sites well-spaced for privacy but close enough to Lake Michigan for day trips to the shore.

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Best Tent Sites Near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (28)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

43 Photos of 28 Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

674 Reviews of 28 Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Campgrounds

  • Judy B.
    Jul. 21, 2016

    Traverse City State Park Campground

    Big Campground, Bigger Location

    This 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.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 13, 2025

    Traverse City State Park Campground

    Shaded campground with nice bathrooms

    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. 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.

  • Amanda L.
    Aug. 7, 2018

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

    Sleeping Bear Bliss

    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!

  • L
    Jul. 21, 2018

    Platte River Campground — Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

    Beautiful campground- part of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

    This is a beautiful wooded campground. Spaces are large, clean, and spaced well apart. RV sites are paved and also have enormous level tent pads. There is a fire ring with a grate for cooking. There is ample woods from which you can gather kindling. Firewood must be certified and can be purchased in area. The bathrooms and shower were so clean and roomy. Plus there were outlets in bath, shower, and the camp sink area. There are electric and non electric sites available as well as group sites and walk in sites. You can make reservations six months out but be ready to click reserve at 8:00 am. sharp for the site you want. The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore sits on Lake Michigan. The lake is beautiful and accessible in many places The dunes are a challenge to climb. Definitely do that. There are historical places of interest to visit, ferry rides to islands, rivers to tube, kayak or canoe. And there are Michigan cherries to pick if you are there in July! I’d give this campground a A+ rating.

  • Ash S.
    May. 15, 2022

    Leelanau State Park Campground

    Very peaceful lakeside campground

    No 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.

  • Amanda L.
    Aug. 9, 2018

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

    Perfect Proximity

    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

  • Hilary S.
    Jul. 24, 2022

    Platte River Campground — Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

    Walk-in sites practically on top of each other

    Pros: 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.

  • Gemma G.
    Apr. 24, 2019

    Scheck's Place State Forest Campground

    Schecks Place-TRAIL CAMP enjoy privacy, the river, horse trails

    There 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.

  • H
    Jun. 17, 2020

    Old US-131 State Forest Campground

    nice rustic campground with spacious sites

    we first passed by this campground on a canoe trip along the manistee river, and flagged it to return to stay another time. we finally went last fall with our pup and had a really nice, peaceful weekend trip. our site was spacious and wooded, gorgeous colors in the fall. there aren't very many sites and they are spaced out well. only two other sites occupied all weekend.

    it was cold and rainy so we passed on hiking. we decided instead to drive around and explore the traverse city area and some of the dog friendly parts of sleeping bear dunes national lakeshore. had a great time and would definitely recommend it

    we were hoping to come back this spring and backpack the fife lake loop, with one night camping here. seems like a great spot for that kind of trip. coronavirus got in the way, but we might try again in the fall.

Guide to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Tent camping near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan offers a unique blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, perfect for those looking to escape into the wilderness.

Tent campers should check out South Manitou Island Group

  • The South Manitou Island Group features a rustic camping experience with easy access to scenic overlooks and beautiful beaches, ideal for swimming and photography.
  • Campers can enjoy campfires and the tranquility of nature, with the added challenge of a hike to reach the campground, making it a rewarding getaway.
  • With no electric hookups and limited amenities, this campground encourages a true backcountry experience, perfect for those wanting to disconnect.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities at Weather Station Campground

  • The Weather Station Campground offers designated sites with access to pit toilets and shared fire pits, providing essential comforts while maintaining a backcountry feel.
  • Located on a sandy bluff overlooking Lake Michigan, this campground provides stunning views and a breezy atmosphere that helps keep mosquitoes at bay.
  • Campers must bring their own water, which can be filtered from the lake, ensuring a self-sufficient camping experience.

Explore local attractions near North Manitou Island Backcountry Campsites

  • The North Manitou Island Backcountry Campsites are surrounded by diverse landscapes, including forests, dunes, and beaches, perfect for hiking and exploration.
  • Campers can discover historical sites, such as old village ruins and a cemetery, adding a unique cultural aspect to their outdoor adventure.
  • Fishing enthusiasts can enjoy excellent smallmouth bass fishing in the inland lake, making it a great spot for those looking to combine camping with recreational fishing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is South Manitou Island Group with a 4.8-star rating from 8 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore?

TheDyrt.com has all 28 tent camping locations near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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