Platte River Campground
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).
More like this: electric hookups in Michigan · reservable in Michigan · big rigs in Michigan · pets allowed in Michigan · group sites in Michigan
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard with electric | 90 |
| Standard, no hookups | 50 |
| Tent-only | 25 |
| Group tent areas | 5 |
| RV, no hookups | 1 |
| Host/management | 8 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 35 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
171 sites in 6 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Pets | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G001 | Group Sites | Group tent | Partial | No | No / – | 25 / – | Yes | No | Yes | |||
| G002 | Group Sites | Group tent | Full | No | No / – | 25 / – | Yes | No | ||||
| G003 | Group Sites | Group tent | Full | No | No / – | 25 / – | Yes | No | ||||
| G004 | Group Sites | Group tent | Full | No | No / – | 25 / – | Yes | No | ||||
| G005 | Group Sites | Group tent | Full | No | No / – | 25 / – | Yes | No | ||||
| 101 | Loop 1 | Electric | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Partial | 30/50 amp | No / – | 6 / 2 | Yes | Yes | |
| 102 | Loop 1 | Electric | Pull-through | 30 | Paved | Partial | 30/50 amp | No / – | 6 / 2 | Yes | Yes | |
| 103 | Loop 1 | Electric | Pull-through | 30 | Paved | Partial | 30/50 amp | No / – | 6 / 2 | Yes | Yes | |
| 104 | Loop 1 | Electric | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Partial | 30/50 amp | No / – | 6 / 2 | Yes | Yes | |
| 105 | Loop 1 | Electric | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Partial | 30/50 amp | No / – | 6 / 2 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 12:30 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric |
| Max vehicle length | 40 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
| 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). |
| Accessibility | Sites G001, 105, 125, 126 and 7 more are listed accessible |
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.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
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).
| Nearest town | Honor, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 44.7128° N, 86.1178° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 9 mi |
| Outdoor gear | TCH Gear ↗ | 18.1 mi |
| RV sales & service | Bish's RV ↗ | 22.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Platte River Campground Review
Other campgrounds nearby
Historic landmarks nearby
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.
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.
Guidebooks for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Michigan
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Platte River Campground?
Sites at Platte River Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Platte River Campground?
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).
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Platte River Campground?
Check-in 12:30 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Platte River Campground have?
179 sites, including 90 standard sites with power, 50 standard sites without power, 25 tent-only sites, and 5 group tent areas.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Platte River Campground?
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does Platte River Campground have hookups?
Yes, electric hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Platte River Campground?
Each loop has restrooms with flush toilets and sinks.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Platte River Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Platte River Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Platte River Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Platte River Campground?
Sites G001, 105, 125, and 126 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 11 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Platte River Campground?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Platte River Campground?
Campers can hike, canoe, kayak and fish on the river or the lake. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation