Platte River Campground

$22.00–$50.00/night

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

Overview

Platte River Campground is located in the southern district of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, on the lower peninsula of Michigan.
This year-round facility is one of the most popular campgrounds in the park. It is within walking distance of the Platte River and a short walk or drive away from the Lake Michigan shore. Hikers can access many of the area's day use and backpacking trails just north of the campground.

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

Campers can hike, canoe, kayak and fish on the river or the lake. There are canoe rentals at nearby Platte River Point, where the river meets the lake (the point also has beach access for those wishing to drive there). 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. Trails to the primitive White Pine backcountry campground are also close by.

Facilities

This facility is well-maintained, well-organized and offers a wide variety of sites, including back-in and pull-through sites with electric hookups for RVs, non-electric sites, walk-to sites, group sites (hike-in, tent-only) and a nearby backcountry campground. Each site has a campfire ring and picnic table. Each loop has restrooms with flush toilets and sinks. Hot showers are also available. The group sites allow no more than 25 people per site; pets and RVs are not permitted in them.

Natural Features

The campground lies in a wooded area within walking distance of the Platte River and less than two miles (3.2 km) away from the beaches of Lake Michigan. Although the lakeshore 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, and those for which it is named, are the 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. With 65 miles (105 km) 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.

Charges & Cancellations

Camp site features

Across 171 camp sites:

Electric hookups: 90 of 171 sites
Fire pit: all 171 sites
Picnic table: 121 of 171 sites
Pets allowed: 166 of 171 sites
ADA accessible: 10 of 171 sites
Group sites: 5 of 171 sites
Longest RV: 40 ft
Largest party: 25 people
Power up to 50 amps
Equipment: CAR, CARAVAN/CAMPER VAN, FIFTH WHEEL, PICKUP CAMPER, POP UP, RV, RV/MOTORHOME, SMALL TENT, Tent, Trailer, VEHICLE

Fees

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore charges a variety of entrance fees, depending on how a visitor arrives at the park. All visitors must have an entrance pass (separate from camping fees). The park also honors Federal Recreational Lands America the Beautiful passes (e.g., Resident Annual, Non-Resident Annual, Senior, Access, Military, 4th Grade, Golden Age). For more information visit the park's Fees & Passes web page. Current U.S. Citizen/Resident Vehicle Fees: $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). Current Non - U.S Citizen/Resident Vehicle Fees: $25 Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore entrance fee (1-7 days). $250 America the Beautiful Non-Resident annual pass. The Michigan Recreation Passport is not valid for entry at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, which is a federally managed site.

Directions

From the east (Traverse City): Take State Highway M-72 west to Empire. Turn south on State Highway M-22. Proceed 10 miles 16 km) (and turn right on Lake Michigan Road. Follow the signs to Platte River Campground. From the south (US-31/M-115): At the junction of U.S. Route 31 and M-115, continue north for seven miles (11 km). Turn left on Platte Road. Proceed five miles and turn right on M-22. Proceed one mile (1.6 km) and turn left on Lake Michigan Road. Follow the signs to Platte River Campground. PHYSICAL CAMPGROUND ADDRESS: 5685 Lake Michigan Road, Honor, MI, 49640

Stay Limit

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

Reviews

2,098 reviews

5 stars

1,682

4 stars

307

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

Kenneth D

Loop:Loop 1

Site:

Reviewed 8 days ago

Had a wonderful conversation with Harold just before we left. Very informative employee!

Billy B

Loop:Loop 1

Site:

Reviewed 9 days ago

Staff at visitor checking was very rude and not welcoming.

Steven S

Loop:Loop 3

Site:

Reviewed 9 days ago

The Ranger was very welcoming and friendly. The sites are quite and well spaced apart. The trails and beach is nice too!

Jay P

Loop:Loop 4

Site:

Reviewed 9 days ago

Busy campsite. Even in late October. Sites are nice. Some are tighter than others. Seemed like a fun community of people. A lot of big RVs, but the space for them is small. Fantastic hiking trails. Nature Center was great. Lots to do and see.

Aaron G

Loop:Loop 1

Site:

Reviewed 9 days ago

Great Campground!

Aaron B

Loop:Loop 4

Site:

Reviewed 9 days ago

Site 408. This is a great site located right across from the restrooms in loop four. The site is positioned so that the lights from the restroom do not blind you in the middle of the night. However, the noise from the campers in 407 may echo, as they are in a small valley right next to this. The area is immaculate and the restrooms were cleaned daily. Most campers here are respectful of noise and light discipline. A short walk around the loop will lead to the Railroad Grade trail, which is about 0.9 mile to Lake Michigan. It's a straight and smooth trail that is clearly marked.

Availability

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

Reserve