Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Popple

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 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

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.

Village Campground - North Manitou Island

Nmi Village

DH Day Campground - Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

## Overview

D.H. Day Campground is located in the northern district of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, on the lower peninsula of Michigan. 

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS A MAP OF D.H. DAY CAMPGROUND: [**www.nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/dhdaycamp.htm**](https://www.nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/dhdaycamp.htm)

This rustic campground is one of the most popular in Northern Michigan and is open (weather permitting) from the first Friday in April through the last Sunday in November. Reservations are required May 1 through October 15. Campsites are within walking distance of the Lake Michigan shoreline and a short drive to many popular features in the park. Summer temperatures range from the upper 70s to 90s during the day, and 50s to 70s at night. 

As with all NPS sites Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is following all CDC guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting public spaces found at: https://www.cdc.gov/.../pdf/Reopening_America_Guidance.pdf This includes routine cleaning of outside surfaces, showers and restrooms, plus twice a day deep cleaning/disinfecting of showers and restrooms using EPA approved disinfectants against Covid-19. Our campground offices have implemented once a day disinfecting at opening, then all touched surfaces will be disinfected after each group uses the office, barriers have been installed on the desks, our staff wear masks, and only one group will be allowed into the office at a time. For more on how the NPS is responding to Covid-19 you can also go to: https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/news/public-health-update.htm Please call the visitor center at 231-326-4700, ext. 5010 if you have a specific question about one of the park's safety measures. 

## Recreation

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore's rustic D.H. Day Campground is beautifully wooded. Campers can swim, canoe, kayak, fish and relax along the shoreline of the campground. The multi-use Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail passes through the campground opening up 20+ miles of biking and hiking. There are canoe and bicycle rentals nearby in the village of Glen Arbor. The historic village of Glen Haven is a short 15-minute walk away. Multiple hiking trails, the Dune Climb, and the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive are just a short drive away. D.H. Day Campground is the perfect launching point for a fun-filled stay at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

## Facilities

With 81 beautifully wooded campsites, shared water spigots, and vault toilets, D.H. Day provides a more rustic camping experience. 

Free hot showers are available at Platte River Camground, located 17 miles south along highway M-22. 

Each campsite has a parking area, large picnic table, fire ring and tent pad. Firewood is also sold in the campgound via a self-serve vending trailer. 

## Natural Features

D.H. Day Campground lies in the middle of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore near the historic village of Glen Haven. The spacious wooded campsites are no more than a 5-minute walk to the Lake Michigan beach. Features include northern hardwood and conifer forests, old farm meadows, wetlands, lakes, streams, bogs, and splendid examples of glacially formed landscapes. The beautiful, perched sand dunes, for which the parked is named, are just a few minutes' drive from the campground. 

## contact_info

For local information, please call (231) 326-4700 or call (877) 444-6777 for general information. 

## Nearby Attractions

D.H. Day Campground is within minutes of the lakeside Village of Glen Arbor and the Historic Village of Glen Haven. The Dune Climb and Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive are a short drive to the south. The Alligator Hill Trail is less than a mile away. The Crystal River winds its way to Lake Michigan just a few short miles to the north. The harbor town of Leland is approx. 30 minutes away and is the gateway to both North and South Manitou Island. 

## Charges & Cancellations

**Campers must notify the campground office at 231-334-4634 if they will not arrive within 24 hours of the check-in** time or their reservation will be cancelled; 

• They will be charged a $20 no show fee and forfeit the first night’s recreation fee for the campsite.

• Staff will hold a campsite until 2:00 pm on the day after the scheduled arrival date.

**Other www.recreation.gov fees include:**

• **Any cancelled reservation refund** will have a $10 service fee withheld.

• **Switching to dates that are entirely outside of the original reservation dates:** $10 change fee.

• **Cancelling a reservation, the day before or on the day of arrival:** $10 service fee AND forfeit the first night’s camping fee.

• **Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid** but will not be subject to an additional service fee.

• **Group Site Reservations cancelled less than 14 days before the arrival date** will pay a $10 service fee AND forfeit the first night’s camping fee

For a complete explanation of all recreation.gov change and cancellation policies visit [**https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies**](https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies)

D.h. Day Campground

Offering the accommodations you need for all the ways you camp; in a destination that delivers: Sleeping Bear Dunes, Lake Michigan beaches, miles of hiking/biking trails, Traverse City, and more. A place where food, art, and events are abundant in everyday life. Whether you’re looking for an enjoyable weekend, a family vacation, or planning your entire season, this is the place. Families have spent a century vacationing and building memories here; we created a place that allows you to do the same with your family and friends.



Indigo Bluffs RV Park & Resort

Empire Township Campground

National Park Service

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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2022 Explorer Giveaway

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