## 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][1] trip 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/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][2] 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.
## 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.
## 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. 

[1]: https://www.nps.gov/places/000/manitou-island-transit-ferry.htm
[2]: https://manitoutransit.com/reservations/

South Manitou Island Group

South Manitou island is part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake shore. The island does have drinking water but you have to hike from your sites ot get it our you can get water from Lake Michigan and make it drinkable. There is no electricity at any of the camp sites, there is a charger station at the docks you can use. There is a Ranger station and a small museum along with old houses that the staff use who stay on the island. The Island has a Light house that has daily tours, a ship wreck and old growth ceder trees you can hike to along with the dunes. There are three campgrounds on the island all sites are first come first pick. Bay Campground is located the closest to the docks about a 1/2 mile walk with your gear, we did not camp here during our trip but we did stop to check out the sites available. These's sites are located along the cove of the island so they are on soft sand felt good to site or lay on without mats. These sites have awesome views of the sun rise in the morning. Popple Campground is the furthest away from the dock, and has the more sever hiking terrain, but is well worth the 7.4 mile round trip hike to get to it. Very secluded, all sites are close to the water's edge. Our site had it's own access trail to the beach, some area's on this side are sandy beach and some is rocky. On the other side of the island and only a 2.7 mile round trip hike from the dock is Weather Station Campground which seems to be the most popular. It is on the South side of the island and has sites on the cliff side and other sites scattered into the forest in the Campground. We were lucky enough to get a site on the cliff over the water and we could watch the waves from inside our tent. Some water side sites have their own trail down to the beach below. There are other trails along the beaches that lead back up to the camp sites. The island has plenty of hiking trails and attractions to see. The only bathroom is located by the docs. Most hiking trails are full shade. There are lots of mosquitoes so be prepared. We can't wait for our next trip to the island.

Awesome for those who love to camp and hike

I stayed at the campsite nearest to where the ferry drops you off. There were several sites to choose from, and we were able to snag a spot with a small trail to Lake Michigan. There was a fire pit with a grill, and an out house style bathroom a short walk away. We hung our food to keep the chipmunks out of it- they did chew on my sunglasses case that I left out!

Hiking trails on the island are well marked, and fairly easy. I would recommend staying 2 nights if you want to see the whole island, though. With the ferry schedule, you wouldn't have time to see everything. I'd also recommend bringing more food than you think you need, in case the weather turns and the ferry can't pick you up on the day planned.

Beautiful

This was such a great trip. We were able to come over on a ferry, which took about an hour and then hike in after a trailer dropped us off. Water is about a mile out so that is a hike. After I bought water pills, so I will be more prepared next time. Friends had filter bags so that was ok. Great island for the warmer months. First night we we didn’t have neighbors second night we did, site was about 40 yards from ours. There was pit toilet right by our site I was surprised it was even there and it was nice. 