Facility Details - PLATTE RIVER CAMPGROUND, MI

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 90s during the day and 50s to 70s at night. Winters are cold, with daytime highs in the 20s to 30s and lows in the 10s and 20s; snow is usually on the ground from late November through March.

Natural Features:

The campground lies in a wooded area within walking distance of the Platte River and less than two miles 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 above the lake. With 65 miles 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 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, tent-only sites, walk-in sites, group sites (hike-in, tent-only) and a nearby backcountry campground. Each site has a campfire ring, picnic table and restrooms with flush toilets and sinks. Hot showers are also available for a small fee. The group sites allow no more than 25 people per site; pets and RVs are not permitted in them.

Activities and Amenities

Within Facility
Accessible Sites Amphitheater Campfire Rings Dump Station Flush Toilets	Paved Roads Picnic Tables Ranger Station Recycling Showers

Know Before You Go

Firewood from areas outside of this facility must be from a Lakeshore approved firewood vendor. A list of Lakeshore approved vendors is available at http://www.nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/firewood.htm. Firewood is also available for purchase in the campground, or visitors may collect dead and down wood within the park boundaries. For more information, visit www.invasive.org or www.dontmovefirewood.org.
A separate permit is required for backcountry hiking and camping; it is issued by the ranger station
Loops 1, 2 and 3 have electrical hookups
Loop 1 is open year-round
An entrance pass for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is required per vehicle; $10 park pass (good for seven days) or $20 annual pass
For sites with electric hookups, there is a $5 fee per night that must be paid upon arrival; an electric hookup is available in the accessible group site upon request, for medical use only
Campers must notify the campground at 231-325-5881 if they will not arrive within 24 hours of the check-in time or their reservation will be cancelled; they will be charged the first night's camping fee plus a $20 no show fee
No wheeled vehicles or devices of any kind may be used on trails to walk-in or group sites, including coolers and strollers; bicycles and other wheeled devices, except wheelchairs, are not allowed on trails or sidewalks; roller blades, skates, skateboards and scooters are prohibited
There are no lifeguards on duty at any of the park beaches; swim at your own risk
The park has pebble beaches rather than sand; water shoes are recommended
No fireworks allowed

Getting There:

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
44.71278, -86.11778
44°42'46"N, 86°7'4"W

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): At the junction of U.S. Route 31 and M-115, continue north for seven miles. 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.

Contact Information:

Mailing Address:

PLATTE RIVER CAMPGROUND
5685 Lake Michigan Road
HONOR MI 49640

Phone Number:

Information: (231)325-5881