Best Tent Camping near Suttons Bay, MI
Tent camping options near Suttons Bay, Michigan include several remote island destinations and quiet backcountry areas with primitive amenities. Power Island County Park Primitive Campsites offer boat-in tent camping on a small island in Grand Traverse Bay, while Sand Lakes Quiet Area provides backcountry tent camping opportunities with drive-in or walk-in access. The Manitou Islands, part of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, feature multiple tent campgrounds accessible only by ferry.
Most primitive tent sites in the region require campers to be self-sufficient with supplies. Power Island's five campsites include basic amenities like fire rings, grills, and pit toilets, though these facilities can be rudimentary. A review noted that "the sites are very close together" on Power Island, suggesting limited privacy during busy periods. Backcountry tent camping at Sand Lakes Quiet Area offers more seclusion but minimal facilities. The Manitou Islands provide varying levels of primitive camping experiences, from designated campgrounds to remote backcountry sites, though all require advance planning as access depends on ferry schedules that can be affected by weather conditions.
Tent campers at these locations enjoy exceptional natural settings away from developed areas. The crystal clear waters surrounding Power Island create "Caribbean blue" swimming conditions according to visitor reports. Sand Lakes Quiet Area provides spacious tent sites well separated from other campers, with one reviewer describing it as having "ample firewood available for processing, multiple lakes, great hiking." North and South Manitou Islands offer backcountry tent camping experiences with hiking opportunities and scenic Lake Michigan views. Weather can change rapidly in these areas, particularly on the islands, where campers should pack extra supplies in case ferry service is delayed due to conditions on Lake Michigan.
