D.H. Day Group Campground

$20.00/night

SLEEPING BEAR DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE, 9922 FRONT STREET
EMPIRE, MI 49630

Overview

D.H. Day Group Campground is a tent-only facility located in the heart of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, about one mile (1.6 km) north of the Dune Climb, where visitors can walk over miles of sand dunes. This year-round campground has four sites which accommodate groups of 7 to 25 people.

Recreation

D.H. Day Group is a hub for water activities. Motorized and non-motorized boating is allowed on the lake, with restrictions, and there is a boat ramp about six miles away by which boaters can access Lake Michigan. Campers can also rent canoes and kayaks in the town of Glen Harbor to float the nearby Crystal River. The beach at Glen Haven, which is popular for beachcombing and swimming, is about one mile away from the campground. There are no lifeguards on duty at the park's beaches.

The facility is also close to the Dune Climb, where visitors can climb on sand dunes over 200 feet high, walk more than 1.5 miles on the dunes to Lake Michigan and catch a great view of Glen Lake.

Facilities

Picnic tables, food storage boxes, and campfire rings are provided at each campsite.
Each campsite has a designated area where tents must be pitched.
The campground has drinking water during the reservation season, but the water is shut off from October 16 through April 26 (weather permitting).
Pets and RVs are not allowed in the group sites.
Access to the campground is via a dirt road.

Natural Features

The campground is open with sparse vegetation. Contrary to the park's name, bears are rarely sighted here, yet other wildlife such as birds, deer and wild turkey may be seen.

Although the Lake Michigan shore is long and narrow, it has northern hardwood and conifer forests, abandoned farm meadows, wetlands, lakes, streams, bogs and splendid examples of a glacially formed landscape.

The most prominent features in the park, for which it was named, are the perched sand dunes above Lake Michigan. The overlooks at Sleeping Bear, Empire and Pyramid Point bluffs are about 400 feet above the lake. With 65 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and numerous inland lakes and streams, the park is wonderfully water-oriented.

Contact Info

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

Nearby Attractions

To the East and North:

1.3 miles - Alligator Hill Trail - via Harwood Road (E), M-109 (S), Day Farm Road (E), & Stocking Road (N).
1.5 miles - Historic Village of Glen Haven & the General Store bookstore
2.0 miles - Maritime Museumand
2.3 miles - Sleeping Bear Point Trail
3.2 miles - Village of Glen Arbor - where the Crystal River winds through town to Lake Michigan.
7.3 miles - Port Onieda Historic District.
21.8 miles - The Harbor Town of Leland serves as the gateway to both North and South Manitou Islands.

To the South:

1.5 miles - The Dune Climb and Dune Center bookstore.
3.5 miles - Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, home of the Lake Michigan Overlook.
6.5 miles - Village of Empire.

Charges & Cancellations

Camp site features

Across 4 camp sites:

Fire pit: all 4 sites
Picnic table: 2 of 4 sites
ADA accessible: 1 of 4 sites
Group sites: all 4 sites
Largest party: 25 people
Equipment: Tent

Fees

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore charges an entrance fee for each vehicle (apart from camping fees). You may pay the entrance fee upon arrival at a staffed location or purchase in advance. The park also honors America the Beautiful-the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands 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. NOTE: Effective March 1, 2023, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore only accepts card payment (no cash or checks). *Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore does not honor the Michigan Recreation Passport which only covers entrance fees for Michigan State Parks.

Directions

From Traverse City, Michigan take M-72 west to Empire. Proceed 2.1 miles (3.4 km) north of Empire on M-22. Go 4.1 miles (6.6 km) north on M-109 to West Harwood Road. Take a left on West Harwood Road and continue all the way to the end of the road to D.H. Day Group Campground. Reservation holders MUST check-in and pay entrance fees at D.H. Day Group Campground 8000 W Harbor Highway, Glen Arbor, MI 49636

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

23 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

Jennifer H

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Reviewed 3 months ago

Beautiful site, clear directions for where to check-in. Very nice park!

Dawn r

Loop:D.H. DAY Group Sites

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Reviewed 5 months ago

Site 1 has trees and shade. Perfect for a large group. I love having the Heritage Trail there—we used it to walk to the beach and the Dune Climb. Bring water and steer clear of the pit toilets.

Carlton K

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Reviewed 2 years ago

A great location with a good view of the Milky Way. The water on-site qualifies as potable. I would recommend bringing your own water or a good filtration system.

Peter V

Loop:D.H. DAY Group Sites

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Reviewed 2 years ago

Amazing as always.

Phil W

Loop:D.H. DAY Group Sites

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Reviewed 2 years ago

Once again the site was neat and obviously cared for. For the first time this year we were asked for all of our drivers to visit the registration office and to provide license plate information. A minor inconvenience but seemed unnecessary.

Rebecca P

Loop:D.H. DAY Group Sites

Site:

Reviewed 2 years ago

I brought my fourth grade class and many of their parents to DH Day groups sites 1 and 2 in the second week of May. The views were spectacular from the campsites. I especially liked the tree coverage at site one. It made for lots of little pockets where people could set up their tents. Site 2 has less coverage, but you can see the dune better. There was lots of poison ivy off the trails. Also, our GPS address didn't have us turn down Harwood Rd. so that was a little confusing for people as we were arriving, but I think that was human error. We loved being so close to the dune climb. The fire pits were set very low in the ground, so be careful if you are bringing very young children to the sites. Site one had lots of lovely songbirds nesting in the trees that just added to the charm. I would definitely stay here again.

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve