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Sleeping Bear Dunes/Platte River
Overview
Platte River Campground serves as a premier base for exploring the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Nestled in a lush, wooded environment, this park offers a range of camping styles from rustic walk-in sites to RV-ready pads with electric hookups. Managed by the National Park Service, the facility maintains a high standard of cleanliness and preservation. Unlike commercial resorts, the atmosphere here is centered on the natural beauty of Northern Michigan and the quiet serenity of the forest, offering a true escape from the bustle of daily life.
Location & Surroundings
Situated near the town of Honor, Michigan, the park sits along the banks of the winding Platte River. The landscape is defined by towering hardwoods, diverse wetlands, and proximity to the vast shoreline of Lake Michigan. Travelers will find themselves immersed in an ecosystem where the sound of the wind through the leaves is the primary soundtrack. The location offers easy access to Platte River Point, where the river meets the lake, providing a unique coastal experience that is famous for its shallow, warm waters and stunning sunsets.
Amenities & Park Features
The campground provides well-spaced sites that offer a sense of privacy often missing in private parks. For RVers, Loop 4 is the primary destination, offering level sites with electrical service. The park features several essential conveniences for a comfortable stay:
- Modern restrooms and hot showers located conveniently within the loops.
- A dedicated sanitary dump station and potable water fill stations for larger rigs.
- Individual sites equipped with a sturdy fire ring and a picnic table for outdoor dining.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Adventure is never far away, with the famous Dune Climb just a short drive north. Visitors can challenge themselves on the sand or take a more relaxed approach by driving the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive for breathtaking overlooks of Lake Michigan. Tubing and kayaking down the gentle Platte River is a quintessential local activity, perfect for all ages. For hikers, the Empire Bluffs Trail offers stunning cliffside views, while the historic village of Glen Haven provides a fascinating glimpse into the region’s maritime history and early settler life.
Who This Park Is Best For
This campground is ideal for travelers who prioritize outdoor recreation and a deep connection to nature over resort-style luxuries like pools or cable TV. It is a perfect fit for families looking to spend their days on the water and hikers wanting to explore world-class trails. Because of the strictly enforced quiet hours and heavily wooded layout, it suits those seeking a peaceful retreat where the focus remains on the stunning, protected landscapes of the Sleeping Bear Dunes.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Michael Tuffelmire
This is my favorite campground in Michigan. The perfect mix of rusticness and modern amenities. The walk out sights are my favorite! If you're staying at one, I highly recommend taking the .5 mile trail out to the beach at night. You can find it if you keep walking out the trail towards the C walk-out sites and just keep going. The starry sky is unforgettable.
Larry Clay
A very well designed campground. The campsite spurs, tent pads, and picnic tables with fire rings are well planned. There are bathrooms with showers. Water spicics are conveniently located. Many sites have electricity. And everything is well cared for.
Toni Baughman
We stayed in spot 425 for 3 nights the second week of September. Spot 425 was right next to the restroom, which I hadn't expected. For some reason the map made it appear further away. Anyway, it turned out to be a non-issue. The toilets are modern marvels: flush toilets, sinks with running water and hand dryers and the showers were individual, not communal. Nirvana for a tent camper! Speaking of which, they're available to tent campers (I'm thinking of you, Tippecanoe River State Park.) All of the sites were relatively large. Site 425 was much lower than the rest of the camp. This is good in that on a breezy night, the breeze was over our heads, keeping us warmer and the fire under control. We also like to quietly play music at night, so the sound didn't travel as easily to the other sites. However, it would have been bad during a large rainstorm. It's basically a rain catch basin. Since all food, or anything with a scent, needs to be kept inside a locked vehicle due to ravenous, ornery raccoons, this meant many trips up and down the hill to our vehicle. There's a really nice hike at the back of the campground that leads directly to Lake Michigan. The ranger told us it as 3/4 mile, but my smart watch recorded 1.3 miles each way. It's worth it but not for someone with physical limitations as there is about a 1/4 mile of thick sand that's difficult to walk through. If you're looking for a nicely kept campground with large spots in a remote area with plenty of hiking and watersports, this is for you.
Paula Churchill
One of the best campgrounds we've stayed in. Large shaded sites, bathrooms are immaculately maintained. Great for kayaking just across the road. Easy access to many lakes and rivers. Highly recommend.
John O Bellinger
Great camping camp ground plenty of sights which fill fast clean rest rooms and showers with a camp kitchen sink for all to use there are many restrooms/showers around loop which there us four of quiet times after dark. Would recommend it for everyone. Even handicap excusable bath and showers in all facilities. Come and enjoy. This is a part of NPS not state run
