Popple

The Popple Campground is the furthest from the dock (about 3.5 miles), so you are likely to have fewer people camping there. The campground is close to the beach on the northern tip of the island. Bring water filtration equipment since there is no source of purified drinking water. There are 7 individual sites

ADA Access: No accessible camping



Popple Campground - South Manitou Island

Bay Campground

South Manitou Group Campground is a tent-only backcountry facility on South Manitou Island in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on Lake Michigan. Campers must take a 1.5-hour ferry or boat ride to reach it, and must backpack their gear into the campground from the dock.  

This facility is comprised of three reservable group sites at Bay Campground and three others at Weather Station Campground. Each site is open to groups of nine to 20 people only. Smaller parties must plan to occupy multiple first-come, first-served individual sites at Popple, Bay or Weather Station Campgrounds on the island. Bay is the closest campground to the dock (less than a mile) and a short walk from the beach. Weather Station overlooks Lake Michigan from the bluffs on the south side of the island; the hike from the ferry is about 1.3 miles.   

If group sites are full, your group may be able to split up into multiple individual campsites. Be sure to make reservations for the ferry (231-256-9061) for transportation to the island. For more information, call 231-326-4700 ext 5010  

Summer temperatures range from the upper 70s to 90s during the day and drop about 20 degrees at night. Winters are cold, with daytime highs in the 20s to 30s and lows in the 10s and 20s; snow is usually on the ground from late November through March.

Natural Features:

South Manitou Island is part of an island chain in Lake Michigan that extends north to the Straits of Mackinac. The island consists of a ridge of tilted layers of limestone, buried under a blanket of glacial debris. It features unique sand dune formations, 10 miles of pebble beaches and a grove of old growth white cedars that date back over 500 years. The campgrounds lie on sandy soils among younger forests.

Recreation:

There is no shortage of activities on South Manitou Island. Visitors can hike around the 10-mile perimeter of the island via pebble beaches, take a tour of the South Manitou Island Lighthouse during summer months, view the 1960 shipwreck of the Francisco Morazanon or go on a motorized tour to learn the history of the island.  

Visitors can also hike day-long excursions to unique sand dune formations and old growth cedar forests. Both campgrounds have beach access where campers can beachcomb and swim; group sites are closer to the beach at Bay Campground than at Weather Station.

Facilities:

Water is only available in the Village area. Group campsites are secluded and set apart from one another. Each site has a fire pit for open fires (firewood must be purchased or collected in the park). Wooden pit toilets are provided, however campers must bring their own toilet paper.

ACTIVITIES

Hiking

Visitor Center: Ranger Station



South Manitou Island Group

Weather Station

Weather Station Campground

Camping on North Manitou Island offers solitude and a wild beauty and nights listening to lapping waves.

 The small Village Campground contains eight designated campsites, two fire rings and one outhouse. There is a limit of two tents and four people per site. Fires are permitted in the community fire rings at the Village Campground.

 Camping is allowed in the wilderness area, but open fires are prohibited. Use gas or alcohol stoves i the wilderness.

 Backcountry Camping Regulations are in effect on North Manitou Island. A backcountry permit and fee payment must be completed before camping. Permits are available on the island and on the mainland. Groups are limited to a maximum of 10 people.



North Manitou Island Backcountry Campsites

Nmi Village

The small Village Campground contains eight designated campsites, two fire rings and one outhouse. There is a limit of two tents and four people per site. Fires are permitted in the community fire rings at the Village Campground.

ADA Access: No accessible camping



Village Campground - North Manitou Island

DH Day Campground - Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

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

Nice campground

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. This place wasn't very busy because it was a bit isolated from other campgrounds. This campground is the furthest from the dock area, so less people travel to here. There was probably about 5 other families while we were here, which is surprising because it was mid July. I guess there are only like 7-8 sites, so that makes sense. We reserved our site online. The island is beautiful, and the beach area was amazing! Very clean, and private. Felt like we were on our own little island. The campground was clean as well. The attendants/rangers were super helpful and nice. They directed us to our location as well as give us some ideas for great hiking in the area. Definitely bring lots of water or some sort of filtration system because there is no fresh water to drink. The nice thing about a smaller campground and less sites is that they were separated really well. There was quite a bit of space between the sites, so it didn't feel like you were right on top of each other. Did some beautiful hikes that overlooked the water! I would 100% come back and enjoy this private campground again!

Popple

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2021 Explorer Giveaway

Nice campground

Loved it!

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Nearby Campgrounds

Popple Campground - South Manitou Island

Bay Campground

South Manitou Island Group

Weather Station

Weather Station Campground

North Manitou Island Backcountry Campsites

Nmi Village

Village Campground - North Manitou Island

DH Day Campground - Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Is This Your Campground?

About This Campground

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Nearby Campgrounds

Popple Campground - South Manitou Island

Bay Campground

South Manitou Island Group

Weather Station

Weather Station Campground

North Manitou Island Backcountry Campsites

Nmi Village

Village Campground - North Manitou Island

DH Day Campground - Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

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