Platte River Campground is located in the southern district of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on the lower peninsula of the Lake Michigan shore.
This is one of the most popular campgrounds in the area and is a short walk to the Platte River put-in to paddle or float the river to Lake Michigan.
Platte River Campground - Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
The Platte River Campground is open year-round and has a wide variety of camping styles from RV's to hiking to the nearby backcountry campground, perfect for those who do not want to take the time to head to the Manitou Islands.
Guests will enjoy the beautiful tent sites for a frontcountry campground. They will also enjoy all the amenities from flush toilets and hot showers to camp sinks and asphalt roads, potable water and electric sites for RV's.
Visitors will also enjoy all the incredible things to do in the area making this a great camping destination.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Entrance Fee
Remember that Sleeping Bear Dunes has an entrance fee separate from camping fees.
Park Entrance Pass - $25.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $20.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Per-Person Entrance Pass—$15.00. Visitors 16 years of age or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.
Annual Park Entrance Pass - $45.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.
Planning a National Park vacation? America the Beautiful/National Park Pass covers entrance fees for an entire year to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites.
The park pass covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy on REI.com and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.
Platte River Campground Camping Fees
Campsite Cost:
Standard Electric Site - $31
Standard non-electric site - $26
Wali-in site - $22
Group Sites- tent only $50
Campground Reservations
Are Campground Reservations Available? Yes, Campsite Reservations are required from May 1 through October 15 and can be made up to six months in advance of your arrival date.
Phone Number? (877) 444-6777
Reservations can be made on Recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777
Make sure to add your Golden Age Passport, Golden Access Passport, Interagency Access Pass, Interagency Annual Senior Pass, or Interagency Lifetime Senior Pass to receive a 50% discount on Camping Fee
Platte River Campground Map
Campground Information
Number of Sites: 179 sites
The campground is a year-round facility, with the peak season typically between May 01 through October 15 each year.
Campsites with no electrical hook-ups: 53
Walk-in Sites: 25
Platte River Campground has 5 Group Campsites (hike-in, tents only) for 7-25 persons
Campground Address: 5685 Lake Michigan Road, Honor, MI
Latitude/Longitude:
- Latitude:
- 44.7127778
- 44° 42' 46.0001" N
- Longitude:
- -86.1177778
- 86° 7' 4.0001" W
How to get to Platte River Campground
From the east (Traverse City): Take State Highway M-72 west to Empire. Turn south on State Highway M-22. Proceed 10 miles and turn right on Lake Michigan Road. Follow the signs to Platte River Campground.
From the south (US-31/M-115): Continue north for seven miles at the junction of U.S. Route 31 and M-115. Turn left on Platte Road. Proceed five miles and turn right on M-22. Proceed one mile and turn left on Lake Michigan Road. Follow the signs to Platte River Campground.
Pets Allowed: Pets must be on a six-foot leash at all times.
Accessible Sites: There are 10 Accessible sites.
Non-Electric sites: D002, D003, G001, 411, 434
Electric sites: 105, 125, 126, 209, 307
Campground Amenities
Flush Restrooms: Yes
Payphone: Yes
Is Wi-Fi available? Yes, seasonal
Is Cellular Phone Service Available? Yes, Year-Round
Is the camp host available on-site? Yes, seasonal
Is firewood available for purchase? yes, seasonal
Is a Bear Box/food Storage Locker available? Yes, Seasonal. Remember that you should store food and scented items in a vehicle trunk, RV, when a Bear Box/food storage locker is not available.
Amenities at each campsite
Fire ring/ fire pit in the site? yes, you can only burn firewood that is approved by the park service. Firewood may be purchased between the entrances of Loops 2 & 3.
Picnic Table in the site? yes
Potable Water: Yes
RV Camping at Platte River Campground
RV Length: Check each site for the maximum length. Some say 30 feet, others 35 feet
There are some pull-through sites
Hookups available: 96 sites have electric hookups.
Generators: Generator use is prohibited at Platte River Campground.
Dump Station: Yes, seasonal
Things to do while camping at Platte River Campground
Attend an evening campfire program at the campground amphitheater.
Float the 4.5 miles (2 to 3 hours) distance of the Platte River to Lake Michigan by canoe, kayak, or inner tube. (Rentals available) The access point is just before the entrance of the campground.
Fish in the River or Lake Michigan (A Michigan fishing license is required for anyone 17 or older)
Visit the Fish Weir and see where the Salmon are harvested in the fall.
Snowshoe or Cross Country Ski the Platte Plains Trails and roads in the winter.
Go swimming in the Platte River or Lake Michigan. Remember there are no lifeguards and the water is very cold with strong currents. Use extreme caution when swimming.
Campground Regulations
Camping is limited to 14 days.
The maximum number of people in a campsite: 6
Check-in Time: 2:00 PM
Checkout time: 12 noon
A park pass is required for all vehicles using the campground, including visitors who are visiting campers.
Campers cannot register for more than one site.
Camping is permitted ONLY in designated areas, on the established tent pads and parking pads.
Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m.– 6:00 a.m.
Rollerblades, skates, skateboards, scooters, and similar devices are prohibited in the campground.
Pets must be on a six-foot leash at all times.
A list of Lakeshore approved vendors is available at http://www.nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/firewood.htm
For a fun adventure, check out Escape Campervans. These campervans have built-in beds, kitchen area with refrigerators, and more. You can have them fully set up with kitchen supplies, bedding, and other fun extras. They are painted with epic designs you can't miss!
Escape Campervans has offices in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, Chicago, New York, and Orlando
Lodging Near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
There are no cabins or lodges in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Camping is also very popular, and campgrounds fill up fast, so finding a place to sleep/stay outside the park may be a great option. Here is a map of nearby lodging options to plan your trip to this incredible park!
Photos of Campground
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Resources
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore: Complete guide to planning your trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Sleeping Bear Dunes Camping Guide: Guide to all camping options available at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
National Parks near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore - 260 miles
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore - 264 miles
River Raisin National Battlefield - 300 miles
Pullman National Monument - 327 miles
Keweenaw National Historical Park - 422 miles
Cuyahoga Valley National Park - 430 Miles
Check out all of the great Michigan National Parks, as well as neighboring Ohio National Parks, Indiana National Parks, Illinois National Parks, and Wisconsin National Parks.
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