Hi there!
You can camp in Sleeping Bear Dunes at the campgrounds on the “mainland.”
The Manitou Islands are also a part of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and there is backcountry camping there. You get there by boat.
The drive-in campgrounds of Sleeping Bear Dunes are not first-come first-serve, so you should book a campsite before you arrive at recreation.gov.
The best campground in Sleeping Bear Dunes is DH Day Campground if you want to be able to walk to a quiet Lake Michigan beach from your campsite!
If you’re planning a camping trip in Michigan and you’re looking for a campground near a bunch of beautiful views of Lake Michigan, then you must consider camping in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore!
Below will be the Sleeping Bear Dunes campgrounds for regular camping (aka tent camping, RV camping, car camping).
If you are looking for backcountry camping, there is a backcountry campsite on “mainland” Sleeping Bear Dunes.
But for the ultimate Sleeping Bear Dunes backpacking trip, you will want to look into going to the Manitou Islands!
You will take a ferry from Leland MI to get to the Manitou Islands.
Here are your basic options for drive-in camping in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
There are 2 regular campgrounds in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
1. Platte River Campground
If you want to be closer to Platte River activities, then you might prefer this Sleeping Bear Dunes campground.
It’s a drive of a few minutes to get to the Lake Michigan beach of Platte River Pointe.
Or you can hike to a different Lake Michigan beach.
You can also rent a kayak to go kayaking on Platte River to get to Lake Michigan!
See more about Platte River Campground.
2. DH Day Campground
If you want walking access to Lake Michigan, then you might really like this Sleeping Bear Dunes campground!
It’s possible that you can be a 1-2 minute walk to the Lake Michigan shoreline from your campsite.
See more about DH Day Campground.
More for your trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes:
- Best things to do in Sleeping Bear Dunes with VIEWS!
- Best hikes in Sleeping Bear Dunes
- Lake Michigan beaches in Sleeping Bear Dunes
More camping spots in Michigan:
- Lake Michigan campground in Muskegon State Park
- Hoffmaster State Park campground near Lake Michigan
- Upper Peninsula campgrounds near the Great Lakes
- Camping near Lake Superior
- Camping in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
- Camping in Porcupine Mountains State Park near Lake Superior
HAPPY CAMPING IN SLEEPING BEAR DUNES!
There are partner websites included in this post. I may earn a commission.