D.H. Day Campground sits at the base of Sleeping Bear Dunes, where the terrain transitions from towering 450-foot sand formations to wooded lowlands. The campground's surrounding forest consists primarily of maple, beech and hemlock trees, providing natural windbreaks during fall and spring camping seasons. Winter camping options remain limited near the dunes, with Platte River Campground being the only year-round facility in the immediate area.
What to do
Kayaking the Platte River: Access points near Platte River Campground connect directly to beginner-friendly paddling routes. "We camp on full moon nights and hit the river for night kayaking. We have our favorite site too!" notes camper Nikki M. The river flows at a moderate pace toward Lake Michigan, with rental options available in nearby Beulah.
Beach access from campsites: The shoreline at D.H. Day Campground features a quiet section of Lake Michigan beach. "Nice wooded sites. Amazing beach access. Quiet," writes Rhonda D. The water remains shallow for approximately 50 feet offshore, making it suitable for wading.
Nighttime astronomy: Clear nights offer exceptional stargazing opportunities away from city light pollution. "We went to the beach to skywatch and it was beautiful and worth every second," reports Doug P. about his October camping experience at D.H. Day. The beach areas provide unobstructed western views over Lake Michigan.
What campers like
Shoulder season solitude: Fall visits offer both color changes and fewer crowds. "Went there in late October of 2022 and man was it a cold night to stay in a tent... But once we got situated, we went to the beach to skywatch," shares Doug P. about D.H. Day Campground.
Ranger programs: Educational sessions focus on local wildlife and dune ecology. "The amphitheater with kid-focused programs was a great bonus," notes Jeffrey R. about his D.H. Day experience. Programs typically run from June through August on weekend evenings.
Multi-use trail connections: The paved Betsie Valley Trail connects directly to Betsie River Campsite, enabling car-free trips to nearby towns. "It's right on the local paved bike trail that goes into the town of Frankfort or out in the other direction. Easy for kids and adults alike," explains Allison H.
What you should know
Bear activity requirements: Black bears frequent campgrounds throughout the dunes region. "I was told a black bear visits the campgrounds at least once a week, but is not much a nuisance as long as campers store their food in the car," reports Joyce B. about her stay at Platte River Campground. Staff may provide bear boxes upon request.
Site privacy variations: Campground layouts offer different levels of seclusion. "Wild camping...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," explains Lauren W. about her D.H. Day experience. Corner sites typically provide more buffer zones.
Limited shower facilities: Bathhouse amenities vary significantly between locations. "The only thing I don't like are the pit toilets, but it's the tradeoff for no electricity or running water," notes Taylor D. about D.H. Day Campground. Empire Township Campground offers coin-operated showers at 50 cents for three minutes.
Tips for camping with families
Rustic options with playground access: Several campgrounds combine natural settings with play areas. "There is a (long) walking trail to the beach, and many areas to hike, fish or tube down a river nearby. My only 'complaint' is that once we had children there wasn't a playground for easy access to entertainment," shares Andrea B. about Traverse City State Park.
Beach-oriented campsites: Lake access provides natural entertainment for children. "This place is awesome for rustic camping. There are stunning views of the lake which is just a short hike from the campsites," notes Halie C. about D.H. Day. The small boardwalk between campground and beach crosses over dune grass areas.
Educational wildlife opportunities: Several campgrounds feature interpretive programs. "Staff was super helpful (loaned me a bear box) and friendly... Fairly full on crappy weather Friday in early September," shares Kevin D. about D.H. Day.
Tips for RVers
Electric hookup limitations: Power availability varies widely between campgrounds. "We were stationed near the boat ramp and had a beautiful shaded view of the lake. Our neighbors, most of whom were permanent campers, were nice," explains Kimberly C. about her experience at Leelanau Pines Campground, which offers full hookups on premium sites.
Parking surface considerations: Site conditions impact leveling requirements. "The sites are nice and very level," notes Chris R. about Leelanau Pines. Some campgrounds require additional equipment, as "they had levels they brought & put under one side of the travel trailer to level us."
Campsite size constraints: RV sites vary significantly in dimensions. "You are literally camping with everyone near you," explains Natalie S. about her experience at Green Lake Rustic South. For larger rigs, Traverse City State Park offers designated big-rig sites, though they "are small and pretty close together but shaded with electric."
Ranger
