Established Camping

White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits — Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Warning 1 Alert is In Effect

There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!

White Pine Backcountry Campground falls within the park's Platte Plains prescribed fire unit. The prescribed fire plan authorizes prescribed burns to be conducted during the spring months of March, April, or May and during the autumn months of September, October, or November. During those months, prescribed fires may be ignited any time weather conditions are favorable necessitating a campground closure. For this reason, reservations may be cancelled, and refunds issued with little notice.

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

White Pine Backcountry Campground is located near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan. The terrain features sandy dunes and forested areas, providing a natural setting for camping. Nearby attractions include the scenic Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive and the Crystal River, with temperatures ranging from 20°F in winter to 80°F in summer.

Description

Overview

White Pine Backcountry Campground is a primitive camp located in the southern district of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, on the lower peninsula of Michigan. It is located approximately two miles from the Trail's End Road trailhead on the Platte Plains hiking trail south of Empire just off of M-22. This year-round campground has six campsites, two shared fire rings, pit toilet, and two shared animal resistant food storage lockers. Plan to pack your water into the campsite, as there is no well in the campground. Summer temperatures range from 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

The Platte Plains trail system boasts more than 25 miles (40 km) of trails, some of which can be accessed a short walk away from the campground.

Facilities

This year-round campground has six campsites, two shared fire rings, pit toilet, and two shared animal resistant food storage lockers. Plan to pack your water into the campsite, as there is no well in the campground. Pack it in, pack it out. Whatever you bring in, you are responsible for bringing out. Trash receptacles are not provided.

Natural Features

The campground is within wilderness. Designated Wilderness areas are the most protected public lands in America. They are managed with restraint to preserve characteristics of wilderness and solitude. The Sleeping Bear Dunes Wilderness, within the boundaries of the Lakeshore, is over 30,000 acres. The beaches of Lake Michigan are about 1/2 mile (0.80 km) walk from camp. Although the lakeshore is long and narrow, it has northern hardwood and conifer forests, abandoned farm meadows, wetlands, lakes, streams, bogs, and splended examples of glacially formed landscape. The most prominent features in the park, and those for which it is named, are perched sand dunes above Lake Michigan. The overlooks at Sleeping Bear, Empire and Pyramid Point bluffs are about 400 feet (122 m) above the lake. Within 65 miles (105 km) of Lake Michigan shoreline and numberous inland lakes and streams, the park is wonderfully water-oriented.

Fee Info

Camping Use Fee: The camping fee is $13 per campsite per night Entrance Fee: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore charges a variety of entrance fees, depending on how a visitor arrives at the park (by private vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle, boat or on foot). All visitors must pay an entrance fee (separate from camping fees). The park also honors valid America the Beautiful-the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands annual or lifetime passes (also known as an interagency pass, e.g., Senior, 4th Grade, Military, etc.). For more information visit the park's Fees & Passes web page. Current Vehicle Fees: $25 Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore vehicle entrance fee (1-7 days). $45 Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore annual pass (if camping more than 7 days). The Michigan Recreation Passport is not valid for entry at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, which is a federally managed site.

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Location

White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits — Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is located in Michigan

Directions

FROM THE EAST (Traverse City): Take State Highway M-72 west to Empire. Turn south on State Highway M-22. To Trails End Road: Drive 6 miles to Trails End Road - turn right Drive 1 mile to the trailhead To Platte Plains Ski Trail Parking: Drive 6.5 miles - the trailhead parking area will be on the right To Peterson Road: Drive 9.5 miles to Peterson Road - turn right Drive 1.5 miles to the trailhead unloading zone on the right FROM THE SOUTH (US-31 / M-115): At the junction of US-31 and M-115, continue north for seven miles. Turn left onto Platte Road. Proceed five miles and turn right onto M-22. To Peterson Road: Drive 1.5 miles to Peterson Road - turn left Drive 1.5 miles to the trailhead unloading zone on the right To Platte Plains Ski Trail Parking: Drive 4.5 miles - the trailhead parking area will be on the left To Trails End Road: Drive 5 miles to Trails End Road turn left Drive 1 mile to the trailhead