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Sleeping Bear Dunes/D H Day
Overview
D H Day Campground is widely considered one of the most iconic places to stay within the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Situated in the heart of Northern Michigan’s beauty, this campground offers a traditional, rustic experience for RVers who want to disconnect. The park is characterized by its heavily wooded sites, providing a sense of seclusion and a deep connection to the surrounding wilderness, while being just a short walk from the sandy lakeshore.
Location & Surroundings
Located just outside the charming village of Glen Arbor, MI, the campground sits on a narrow strip of land between the Sleeping Bear Plateau and Lake Michigan. The surrounding area is defined by towering sand dunes and the sparkling turquoise waters of the lake. Access to the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail allows campers to explore the region on foot or by bicycle, connecting the park to several historic sites and scenic overlooks nearby.
Amenities & Park Features
It is important to note that D H Day is a rustic campground, meaning there are no electric, water, or sewer hookups at individual sites. However, the park focuses on a quality primitive experience with these features:
- Vault toilets and multiple hand pumps for potable water
- Private fire rings and heavy-duty picnic tables at every site
- A central sanitation station for RV waste and water tank filling
These features ensure a comfortable stay for prepared travelers who enjoy being self-contained.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
The most famous attraction, the Dune Climb, is located only two miles away, offering a challenging hike with rewarding views of the lake. Visitors can also take a short drive to the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive for panoramic vistas and iconic Michigan sunsets. For those interested in water sports, the nearby Crystal River is a favorite for kayaking, while Glen Arbor offers unique boutiques and several famous cherry-themed eateries for a local treat.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is ideal for travelers who value natural immersion and peace over the luxury of a typical RV resort. It is a fantastic choice for self-contained RVers who enjoy dry camping and want to be within walking distance of a sandy beach. Families looking to create lasting memories around a campfire in a forest setting will find this park perfect, provided they are prepared for a traditional camping style.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Julian Markov
The campgrounds were nice. No flushable toilets or showers but the beach that is at 55 site is outworldly! So take a bath there lol
Sara Adkins
This is our second time here in the last few years. It’s not a bad place, love the beach access. The bathrooms are disgusting, no showers or sinks at all, port a potty style “vault” toilets. Stinky and dirty. The sites are way too close together and we were shushed (😡shhh) every single night. We have a kid with us and it’s the weekend, we wanted to laugh and have s’mores by the campfire after our day of adventures. But we had to whisper and our fun was ruined with every shhh! It’s a 25 minute drive to the nearest shower and that campground seemed a lot more fun so we will probably check that one out next time.
Stephanie Perry
Fabulous park service campground. Pit toilets were quite clean and lots of shady sites, many of which were quite private compared to state parks. We also got lucky with no black flies and mosquitoes! The lakeshore is a quick walk and the Sleeping Bear Heritage trail runs right through it. So easy to hop on bikes and get right up to the Dune climb on a paved path in just a few miles.
Kiley Weber
This campground is like being out in the middle of nowhere but still having access to water and a bathroom. Highly recommend this campground. Staff is friendly, hikes are great, beach front is gorgeous, bathrooms are clean.
Cassidy Teeple
We camped here for two nights with our dog and were very happy with it! It was a nice quiet campground. Our site was pretty large and fairly quiet. There aren’t any showers and the bathrooms are outhouses (which we knew when we booked), but the outhouses were pretty clean.
Rachel Braun
This was the star of our cross country trip. You cannot beat the location of this campsite. It’s walking distance to the beach where dogs are allowed and so are bonfires. We had no problems with bugs or poison ivy. It felt safe and close to incredibly charming towns and wineries. We will be back!
Tamra Parker
Loved this place. Right on the Sleeping Bear Dunes Trail for easy access with our bikes. Quiet campground. Decent sized sites. Pit toilets that were kind of stinky, but decently clean. We will be back.
Leo Obermyer
Beautiful, rustic campground. Historic log cabin and Lake MI beach is within walking distance. They need to convert the D.H. Day restrooms over near the store, or the ones at the Life Saving Station, to have a few pay showers but otherwise all else great. Nearby Glen Arbor and Sleeping Bear Dunes.
Judy Childs
This is a rustic campground. You have to walk maybe 1/2 mile to the beach. More or less. This campground went in before the campgrounds today that are back to back. Some sites all RV's, some only tents. Everyone is so kind. Such a pleasure to be in such a beautiful spot. Also, very busy in June, July and August. Spring and fall are better times.
David Bardy
The campground was clean relatively quiet. The beach was nice and the water was better. Spent 3 days in and on the bay. Beautiful bike paths.