Established Camping
South Manitou Island Group
South Manitou Island Group, near Empire, Michigan, is a unique camping destination that offers a rustic experience surrounded by the natural beauty of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Accessible only by ferry, this spot is perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle and immerse themselves in nature.
The campground features tent sites that provide a backcountry feel, with no electric hookups and limited amenities. Visitors have noted the importance of packing in all essentials, including water, as the nearest source is a hike away. As one camper shared, “Don’t forget the bug spray,” highlighting the need to be prepared for the island's natural elements.
With hiking trails leading to stunning views, shipwrecks, and old homestead farms, there’s plenty to explore. Campers have enjoyed the peaceful isolation, with some sites offering breathtaking views of Lake Michigan. One reviewer mentioned, “We could watch the waves from inside our tent,” which captures the serene atmosphere here.
For those who love to hike, the island boasts well-marked trails that take you through cedar forests and along the shoreline. The Weather Station Campground is particularly popular, with sites nestled in the woods and along cliffs, providing a perfect backdrop for a memorable camping experience. Whether you’re here for a weekend or an extended stay, South Manitou Island Group offers a chance to connect with nature in a truly special way.
Description
National Park Service
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Overview
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 Manitou Island Transit Ferry trip or boat ride to reach it, and must backpack their gear into the campground from the dock. **Booking for individual sites on South Manitou Island are made on a first come/first served basis directly through Manitou Island Transit .**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/1.6 km) 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 (2 km). If group sites are full, your group may be able to split up into multiple individual campsites. Be sure to book reservations on the Manitou Island Transit website or call (231) 256-9061 for transportation to the island. Or contact Sleeping Bear Dunes for more information at (231) 326-4700 ext 5010.Summer temperatures range from the upper 70s to 90 degrees F (25 to 32 C) during the day, and from the 50s to 70 degrees F (10 to 25 C) at night. Winters are cold, with daytime highs from 20 to 30 F (-7 to -1 C) and lows in the 10s and 20s F (-12 to -7 C). Snow is usually on the ground from late November through March.
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.
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.
Contact Info
For local information, please call (231) 326-4700 or call (877) 444-6777 for general information.
Fee Info
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore charges an entrance fee for each group (in addition to camping fees). You may pay the entrance fee upon arrival. The park also honors Federal interagency passes (e.g., annual, senior, access, 4th grade, Golden Age pass etc.). For more information visit the park's Fees & Passes web page. NOTE: Effective March 1, 2023, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore accepts card payment only at staffed locations (no cash or checks). Current Fees (reviewed October 2023): $25 Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore entrance fee (1-7 days). $45 Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Annual pass (if camping more than 7 days). Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore does not honor the Michigan Recreation Passport which only covers entrance fees for Michigan State Parks,
Location
South Manitou Island Group is located in Michigan
Directions
From Traverse City, Michigan, take M-22 to Sutton's Bay. Go west on M-204 from Sutton's Bay towards Leland. Turn north at the junction of M-22 and M-204 to Leland. Take the Manitou Island Transit ferry from Leland to South Manitou Island.
Address
SLEEPING BEAR DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE
9922 FRONT STREET
Empire, MI 49630
Coordinates
45.0124639 N
86.0947 W
Access
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Fires
