Platte River Campground
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- Right now
- Taking bookingsSites offered on 15 of the next 30 nights read 16:01 UTC
- A night
- $22–$31Across the site types the agency prices
- Sites
- 179171 on recreation.gov
The place
the agency’s own description · what’s there · 3 notices
In the agency’s own words
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). Snow is usually on the ground from late November through March. Keep reading
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.
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, 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.
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. Contact Info For local information, please call (231) 326-4700 or call (877) 444-6777 for general information. Charges & Cancellations
What the agency tells you
Entrance 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). The park also honors Federal Recreational Lands America the Beautiful (e.g., Resident Annual, Non-Resident Annual, Senior, Access, Military, 4th Grade, Golden Age). For more information visit the park's Fees & Passes web page. The Michigan Recreation Passport is not valid for entry at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, which is a federally managed site.
Permit Conditions: 1. Campers must check-in at the campground office immediately upon arrival. 2. Campers must notify the campground at 231-326-4700 ext. 5029 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. 3. Check-in time is 2 pm Check-out time is noon. 4. Camping is permitted only in designated areas, on the established tent pads, and paved parking pads. All vehicles, wheeled camping units, and trailers must remain on pavement and off gravel or vegetation. 5. No more than six (6) people and only one wheeled camping unit will be permitted on each site. 6. Quiet hours are 10 pm - 6 am. Noise levels must be controlled at all times. 7. Generator use is prohibited at Platte River Campground. 8. ACTIVE BEAR AREA: Store food, drinks, ice chests/coolers (empty or full), toiletries, trash/recyclables, food prep tools and all scented items in a sealed hard sided vehicle or food storage locker day and night. Never feed wildlife. 9. To prevent and slow the spread of forest pests and diseases, you may only burn NPS approved firewood. Firewood may be purchased between the entrances of Loops 2 and 3. 10. Confine all fires to the fire ring and burn only dead, down, and detached wood, manufactured logs, or charcoal. Fires must be completely extinguished with water. Do not leave fires unattended. Do not burn trash. 11. The use of burning torches, commonly referred to tiki or bug torches, is prohibited. 12. It is unlawful to cut, destroy, or damage any standing tree, shrub or plant, or possess any green vegetation within the park, including flowers. Do not injure trees with nails or by hanging hot lanterns on or against the trunk. 13. Wheeled devices, including bicycles, wheelbarrows, wagons, and trailers are prohibited on foot trails. These items are also prohibited in walk-in and group campsites. 14. Pets must be on a six-foot leash under restraint or caged at all times. Do not leave pets unattended. Pet owners are responsible for all cleanup. Pets are prohibited in group camp areas. 15. Containers must be kept under drains and emptied only at the dump station. 16. The washing of dishes, hands, hair, or brushing teeth, etc. at outdoor water faucets is prohibited. Washing vehicles at the dump station is prohibited. 17. Camping is limited to 14 TOTAL days per designated campground between Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day. 18. Unless registered for a group or walk-in site, parking in those areas is prohibited. Overflow parking is available at Platte River Picnic Area located at Lake Michigan Road and M-22.
Violation of terms may result in permit suspension, revocation and/or issuance of a citation by law enforcement.
Tents and rigs
- Sites
- 179 · 30 tent-only, 5 group
- Hookups
- 90 electric
- Longest rig
- 40 ft
- Paved pads
- 149 of 179
- Accessible sites
- 11
- Pets
- Allowed at 174 of 179 sites
- Campfires
- Allowed, barring fire bans
- Shade
- 122 of 158 sites
Facilities
- Toilets
- Flush Toilets - year round · Vault Toilets - year round
- Showers
- Yes, the record doesn’t say what kind
- “Hot showers are also available.”
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Dump station
- Yes
- recreation.gov lists “Dump Station”
- Stay limit
- 14 nights
- recreation.gov facility rule maxStay
Around the campground
- On the water
- Lake, River, Creek, Beach, Meadow
- Amphitheater
- Biking
- Birding
- Canoeing
- Evening Programs
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Ranger Station
- Swimming
- Visitor center
- Water access
- Night sky · 145th darkest of 192 in MI
- Bortle 3
- Fall color · reported 12 days ago, 40 km away
- Minimal color
Full this Saturdayread 16:01 UTC
How full the weekend is nationally.
OpenBookedNot reservable
Every one of the 171 sites on offer is taken this Saturday. 84 are free on Wed, Oct 21. read 16:01 UTC Why the weekend fills and the week doesn’t
Watch for a cancellation
Watch this campground
One email when a night opens, plus More Than Just Parks dispatches. Unsubscribe any time.
We read recreation.gov once an hour, at 40 minutes past, and write the first time a site in your window is free for the nights you asked for.
Scanners that check every few minutes exist, and most of them charge. This one is free, it reads the same calendar, and it won’t always be first.
Tell me when the season opens
Watch for the season to open
One email when the season goes on sale, plus More Than Just Parks dispatches. Unsubscribe any time.
We check once an hour, at 40 minutes past, and write the first time the agency has that season on sale.
Scanners that check every few minutes exist, and most of them charge. This one is free, it reads the same calendar, and it won’t always be first.
We make nothing when you book. The link goes straight to the government.
Every line of the receipt · 27
What you actually pay
Derived by CAMPANAC: the agency’s published rates for this season, $22–$31 a night, plus one $8 recreation.gov reservation fee for the booking. A weekend here means Friday and Saturday night, booked once. Optional charges (an extra vehicle, a second tent, a dump-station fee) are listed separately and aren’t in this total.
Who keeps the booking fee
The agency’s own policy text says the reservation fee and the cancellation processing fee are “retained by the reservation service contractor”, and that a campground concessionaire will decline to refund them because “they did not receive these fees”. Recreation.gov is run under contract by Booz Allen Hamilton. What share of your booking fee the contractor keeps isn’t published in any federal dataset we can read, so we print no number for it. Our reporting on the contract →
How we know this receipt · 5
recreation.gov availability, read 16:01 UTC · rules read Oct 1, 2026 · rates Sep 10, 2026 · How we know all this
The sites
179 sites · which ones have room · the site map
The sites, ranked
from 171 mapped sitesAll 179 sites
The price is derived by CAMPANAC, not published per site: the per-night rate this campground publishes for each site’s own site type. 171 of the 179 sites listed carry one, and a site whose type has no published rate sits out of the price rather than being called free.
Measured shade is NLCD Tree Canopy Cover 2024 (USDA Forest Service / MRLC) read at the site’s own coordinate, 27% canopy or more, and only for the sites the agency gave no Shade value. It never changes the agency’s own shaded count beside it.
| Group Sites | G001 | group tent only area nonelectric | yes | 73 ft | 1,190 ft | $50 | ||
| Group Sites | G002 | group tent only area nonelectric | 73 ft | 1,128 ft | $50 | |||
| Group Sites | G003 | group tent only area nonelectric | 107 ft | 1,022 ft | $50 | |||
| Group Sites | G004 | group tent only area nonelectric | 107 ft | 945 ft | $50 | |||
| Group Sites | G005 | group tent only area nonelectric | 282 ft | 1,445 ft | $50 | |||
| Loop 1 | 101 | standard electric | 35 ft | 30/50 amp | 170 ft | 1,207 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 1 | 102 | standard electric | 30/50 amp | 66 ft | 1,105 ft | $31 | ||
| Loop 1 | 103 | standard electric | 30 ft | 30/50 amp | 66 ft | 1,051 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 1 | 104 | standard electric | 35 ft | 30/50 amp | 83 ft | 970 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 1 | 105 | standard electric | 35 ft | 30/50 amp | yes | 138 ft | 840 ft | $31 |
| Loop 1 | 106 | standard electric | 30 ft | 30/50 amp | 23 ft | 666 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 1 | 107 | standard electric | 35 ft | 30/50 amp | 23 ft | 647 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 1 | 108 | standard electric | 40 ft | 30/50 amp | 75 ft | 658 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 1 | 109 | standard electric | 35 ft | 30/50 amp | 75 ft | 700 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 1 | 110 | standard electric | 35 ft | 30/50 amp | 58 ft | 720 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 1 | 111 | standard electric | 40 ft | 30/50 amp | 58 ft | 702 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 1 | 112 | standard electric | 25 ft | 30/50 amp | 86 ft | 751 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 1 | 113 | standard electric | 25 ft | 30/50 amp | 86 ft | 831 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 1 | 114 | standard electric | 30 ft | 30/50 amp | 40 ft | 924 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 1 | 115 | standard electric | 35 ft | 30/50 amp | 40 ft | 951 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 1 | 116 | standard electric | 30 ft | 30/50 amp | 46 ft | 1,012 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 1 | 117 | standard electric | 20 ft | 30/50 amp | 56 ft | 1,059 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 1 | 118 | standard electric | 35 ft | 30/50 amp | 78 ft | 1,182 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 1 | 119 | standard electric | 25 ft | 30/50 amp | 49 ft | 1,232 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 1 | 120 | standard electric | 35 ft | 30/50 amp | 49 ft | 1,281 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 1 | 121 | standard electric | 30 ft | 30/50 amp | 50 ft | 1,393 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 1 | 122 | standard electric | 30 ft | 30/50 amp | 50 ft | 1,390 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 1 | 123 | standard electric | 25 ft | 30/50 amp | 62 ft | 1,442 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 1 | 124 | standard electric | 30 ft | 30/50 amp | 65 ft | 1,438 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 1 | 125 | standard electric | 30 ft | 30/50 amp | yes | 65 ft | 1,425 ft | $31 |
| Loop 1 | 126 | standard electric | 35 ft | 30/50 amp | yes | 38 ft | 1,360 ft | $31 |
| Loop 1 | 127 | standard electric | 30 ft | 30/50 amp | 38 ft | 1,370 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 1 | 128 | standard electric | 35 ft | 30/50 amp | 31 ft | 1,301 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 1 | 129 | standard electric | 30 ft | 30/50 amp | 31 ft | 1,326 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 1 | 130 | standard electric | 30 ft | 30/50 amp | 65 ft | 1,284 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 1 | 131 | standard electric | 20 ft | 30/50 amp | 53 ft | 1,243 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 1 | 132 | standard electric | 35 ft | 30/50 amp | 46 ft | 1,019 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 1 | 133 | standard electric | 35 ft | 30/50 amp | 37 ft | 1,138 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 1 | 134 | standard electric | 30 ft | 30/50 amp | 45 ft | 1,094 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 1 | 135 | standard electric | 40 ft | 30/50 amp | 37 ft | 1,164 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 1 | 136 | standard electric | 35 ft | 30/50 amp | 70 ft | 1,149 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 1 | 137 | standard electric | 40 ft | 30/50 amp | 46 ft | 1,204 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 1 | 138 | standard electric | 40 ft | 30/50 amp | 46 ft | 1,160 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 1 | 139 | standard electric | 30 ft | 30/50 amp | 78 ft | 1,158 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 1 | 140 | standard electric | 30 ft | 30/50 amp | 79 ft | 1,079 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 1 | 141 | standard electric | 35 ft | 30/50 amp | 32 ft | 1,052 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 1 | 142 | standard electric | 40 ft | 30/50 amp | 32 ft | 1,025 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 1 | 143 | type not stated | 35 ft | 30/50 amp | 1,124 ft | |||
| Loop 1 | 144 | type not stated | 30 ft | 30/50 amp | 1,175 ft | |||
| Loop 1 | 145 | type not stated | 30 ft | 30/50 amp | 1,250 ft | |||
| Loop 2 | 201 | type not stated | 30 ft | 30/50 amp | yes | 1,485 ft | ||
| Loop 2 | 202 | type not stated | 35 ft | 30/50 amp | 1,501 ft | |||
| Loop 2 | 203 | standard electric | 35 ft | 30/50 amp | 69 ft | 1,410 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 2 | 204 | standard electric | 35 ft | 30/50 amp | 63 ft | 1,427 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 2 | 205 | standard electric | 30 ft | 30/50 amp | 56 ft | 1,428 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 2 | 206 | standard electric | 35 ft | 30/50 amp | 55 ft | 1,475 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 2 | 207 | standard electric | 25 ft | 30/50 amp | 55 ft | 1,473 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 2 | 208 | standard electric | 35 ft | 30/50 amp | 73 ft | 1,540 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 2 | 209 | standard electric | 25 ft | 30/50 amp | yes | 83 ft | 1,566 ft | $31 |
| Loop 2 | 210 | standard electric | 35 ft | 30/50 amp | 38 ft | 1,627 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 2 | 211 | standard electric | 25 ft | 30/50 amp | 38 ft | 1,664 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 2 | 212 | standard electric | 35 ft | 30/50 amp | 48 ft | 1,640 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 2 | 213 | standard electric | 35 ft | 30/50 amp | 48 ft | 1,666 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 2 | 214 | standard electric | 30 ft | 30/50 amp | 58 ft | 1,648 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 2 | 215 | standard electric | 35 ft | 30/50 amp | 70 ft | 1,723 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 2 | 216 | standard electric | 35 ft | 30/50 amp | 51 ft | 1,782 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 2 | 217 | standard electric | 35 ft | 30/50 amp | 51 ft | 1,745 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 2 | 218 | standard electric | 25 ft | 30/50 amp | 65 ft | 1,706 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 2 | 219 | standard electric | 25 ft | 30/50 amp | 65 ft | 1,732 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 2 | 220 | standard electric | 30 ft | 30/50 amp | 65 ft | 1,733 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 2 | 221 | standard electric | 30 ft | 30/50 amp | 63 ft | 1,751 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 2 | 222 | standard electric | 35 ft | 30/50 amp | 63 ft | 1,745 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 2 | 223 | standard electric | 25 ft | 30/50 amp | 32 ft | 1,623 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 2 | 224 | standard electric | 35 ft | 30/50 amp | 32 ft | 1,633 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 3 | 301 | standard electric | 35 ft | 30/50 amp | 77 ft | 1,653 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 3 | 302 | type not stated | 30 ft | 30/50 amp | 1,710 ft | |||
| Loop 3 | 303 | standard electric | 35 ft | 30/50 amp | 77 ft | 1,678 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 3 | 304 | standard electric | 25 ft | 30/50 amp | 52 ft | 1,758 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 3 | 305 | standard electric | 25 ft | 30/50 amp | 52 ft | 1,740 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 3 | 306 | standard electric | 20 ft | 30/50 amp | 30 ft | 1,666 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 3 | 307 | standard electric | 25 ft | 30/50 amp | yes | 30 ft | 1,691 ft | $31 |
| Loop 3 | 308 | standard electric | 35 ft | 30/50 amp | 66 ft | 1,646 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 3 | 309 | standard electric | 35 ft | 30/50 amp | 66 ft | 1,597 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 3 | 310 | standard electric | 35 ft | 30/50 amp | 68 ft | 1,605 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 3 | 311 | standard electric | 30 ft | 30/50 amp | 36 ft | 1,546 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 3 | 312 | standard electric | 20 ft | 30/50 amp | 36 ft | 1,545 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 3 | 313 | standard electric | 25 ft | 30/50 amp | 31 ft | 1,420 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 3 | 314 | standard electric | 30 ft | 30/50 amp | 31 ft | 1,419 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 3 | 315 | standard electric | 30 ft | 30/50 amp | 96 ft | 1,337 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 3 | 316 | standard electric | 35 ft | 30/50 amp | 90 ft | 1,330 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 3 | 317 | standard electric | 30 ft | 30/50 amp | 34 ft | 1,353 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 3 | 318 | standard electric | 25 ft | 30/50 amp | 34 ft | 1,382 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 3 | 319 | standard electric | 35 ft | 30/50 amp | 70 ft | 1,387 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 3 | 320 | standard electric | 35 ft | 30/50 amp | 56 ft | 1,449 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 3 | 321 | standard electric | 30 ft | 30/50 amp | 50 ft | 1,468 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 3 | 322 | standard electric | 35 ft | 30/50 amp | 50 ft | 1,518 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 3 | 323 | standard electric | 30 ft | 30/50 amp | 85 ft | 1,615 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 3 | 324 | standard electric | 20 ft | 30/50 amp | 49 ft | 1,684 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 3 | 325 | standard electric | 30 ft | 30/50 amp | 49 ft | 1,691 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 3 | 326 | standard electric | 25 ft | 30/50 amp | 97 ft | 1,782 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 3 | 327 | standard electric | 30 ft | 30/50 amp | 102 ft | 1,667 ft | $31 | |
| Loop 4 | 401 | standard nonelectric | 35 ft | 61 ft | 1,860 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 402 | type not stated | 30 ft | 50 amp | 1,888 ft | |||
| Loop 4 | 403 | standard nonelectric | 35 ft | 61 ft | 1,872 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 404 | standard nonelectric | 35 ft | 23 ft | 1,797 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 405 | standard nonelectric | 20 ft | 23 ft | 1,779 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 406 | standard nonelectric | 25 ft | 52 ft | 1,710 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 407 | standard nonelectric | 30 ft | 52 ft | 1,688 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 408 | standard nonelectric | 30 ft | 94 ft | 1,626 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 409 | standard nonelectric | 20 ft | 86 ft | 1,614 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 410 | standard nonelectric | 20 ft | 58 ft | 1,545 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 411 | standard nonelectric | 30 ft | yes | 58 ft | 1,500 ft | $26 | |
| Loop 4 | 412 | standard nonelectric | 20 ft | 79 ft | 1,414 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 413 | standard nonelectric | 20 ft | 52 ft | 1,408 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 414 | standard nonelectric | 25 ft | 52 ft | 1,381 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 415 | standard nonelectric | 25 ft | 82 ft | 1,327 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 416 | standard nonelectric | 30 ft | 38 ft | 1,214 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 417 | standard nonelectric | 25 ft | 38 ft | 1,188 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 418 | standard nonelectric | 20 ft | 38 ft | 1,117 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 419 | standard nonelectric | 20 ft | 38 ft | 1,083 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 420 | standard nonelectric | 30 ft | 66 ft | 1,008 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 421 | standard nonelectric | 20 ft | 54 ft | 995 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 422 | standard nonelectric | 30 ft | 54 ft | 1,044 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 423 | standard nonelectric | 30 ft | 82 ft | 1,031 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 424 | standard nonelectric | 20 ft | 49 ft | 1,591 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 425 | standard nonelectric | 30 ft | 49 ft | 1,542 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 426 | standard nonelectric | 25 ft | 60 ft | 1,487 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 427 | standard nonelectric | 20 ft | 60 ft | 1,438 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 428 | standard nonelectric | 20 ft | 58 ft | 1,371 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 429 | standard nonelectric | 30 ft | 58 ft | 1,320 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 430 | standard nonelectric | 20 ft | 74 ft | 1,239 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 431 | standard nonelectric | 20 ft | 56 ft | 1,179 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 432 | standard nonelectric | 30 ft | 35 ft | 1,136 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 433 | standard nonelectric | 30 ft | 35 ft | 1,109 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 434 | rv nonelectric | 25 ft | yes | 92 ft | 1,023 ft | $26 | |
| Loop 4 | 435 | standard nonelectric | 20 ft | 47 ft | 1,066 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 436 | standard nonelectric | 20 ft | 47 ft | 1,112 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 437 | standard nonelectric | 15 ft | 56 ft | 1,147 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 438 | standard nonelectric | 25 ft | 56 ft | 1,191 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 439 | standard nonelectric | 20 ft | 36 ft | 1,302 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 440 | standard nonelectric | 20 ft | 36 ft | 1,326 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 441 | standard nonelectric | 20 ft | 63 ft | 1,388 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 442 | standard nonelectric | 20 ft | 63 ft | 1,432 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 443 | standard nonelectric | 20 ft | 60 ft | 1,494 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 444 | standard nonelectric | 30 ft | 60 ft | 1,554 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 445 | standard nonelectric | 25 ft | 60 ft | 1,584 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 446 | standard nonelectric | 20 ft | 60 ft | 1,639 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 447 | standard nonelectric | 20 ft | 60 ft | 1,697 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 448 | standard nonelectric | 20 ft | 64 ft | 1,761 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 449 | standard nonelectric | 15 ft | 55 ft | 1,830 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 450 | standard nonelectric | 20 ft | 55 ft | 1,873 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 451 | standard nonelectric | 20 ft | 67 ft | 1,938 ft | $26 | ||
| Loop 4 | 452 | type not stated | 30 ft | 1,897 ft | ||||
| Loop 4 | 453 | standard nonelectric | 30 ft | 98 ft | 1,866 ft | $26 | ||
| Walk-In | A001 | tent only nonelectric | 168 ft | 2,087 ft | $22 | |||
| Walk-In | A002 | tent only nonelectric | 118 ft | 2,038 ft | $22 | |||
| Walk-In | A003 | tent only nonelectric | 90 ft | 1,924 ft | $22 | |||
| Walk-In | A004 | tent only nonelectric | 90 ft | 1,835 ft | $22 | |||
| Walk-In | A005 | tent only nonelectric | 102 ft | 1,561 ft | $22 | |||
| Walk-In | A006 | tent only nonelectric | 91 ft | 1,519 ft | $22 | |||
| Walk-In | A007 | tent only nonelectric | 81 ft | 1,374 ft | $22 | |||
| Walk-In | A008 | tent only nonelectric | 81 ft | 1,297 ft | $22 | |||
| Walk-In | B001 | tent only nonelectric | 69 ft | 2,078 ft | $22 | |||
| Walk-In | B002 | tent only nonelectric | 33 ft | 2,036 ft | $22 | |||
| Walk-In | B003 | tent only nonelectric | 33 ft | 2,003 ft | $22 | |||
| Walk-In | B004 | tent only nonelectric | 42 ft | 1,883 ft | $22 | |||
| Walk-In | B005 | tent only nonelectric | 42 ft | 1,851 ft | $22 | |||
| Walk-In | B006 | tent only nonelectric | 155 ft | 1,851 ft | $22 | |||
| Walk-In | B007 | tent only nonelectric | 151 ft | 1,682 ft | $22 | |||
| Walk-In | B008 | tent only nonelectric | 91 ft | 1,531 ft | $22 | |||
| Walk-In | C001 | tent only nonelectric | 39 ft | 2,263 ft | $22 | |||
| Walk-In | C002 | tent only nonelectric | 39 ft | 2,225 ft | $22 | |||
| Walk-In | C003 | tent only nonelectric | 53 ft | 2,189 ft | $22 | |||
| Walk-In | C004 | tent only nonelectric | 53 ft | 2,151 ft | $22 | |||
| Walk-In | C005 | tent only nonelectric | 134 ft | 2,176 ft | $22 | |||
| Walk-In | C006 | tent only nonelectric | 134 ft | 2,044 ft | $22 | |||
| Walk-In | D001 | tent only nonelectric | 37 ft | 2,185 ft | $22 | |||
| Walk-In | D002 | tent only nonelectric | yes | 37 ft | 2,191 ft | $22 | ||
| Walk-In | D003 | tent only nonelectric | yes | 149 ft | 2,080 ft | $22 |
25 of 179 listed
Getting there
the map and the coordinate · the agency’s directions · the phone number
Where it is
White Pine Backcountry Campground PermitsSleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore · 2.3 mi
D.H. Day Group CampgroundSleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore · 13 mi
D.H. Day CampgroundSleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore · 14 mi
Weather Station Campground - South Manitou IslandSleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore · 20 mi
South Manitou Group Campground21 mi
Bay Campground - South Manitou IslandSleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore · 21 miFrom 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). Turn left on Platte Road. Proceed five miles and turn right on M-22. Proceed one mile (1.6 km) and turn left on Lake Michigan Road. Follow the signs to Platte River Campground.
PHYSICAL CAMPGROUND ADDRESS: 5685 Lake Michigan Road, Honor, MI, 49640
The weather
the next four days · the thirty-year normal
Next four days, and the thirty-year normal
Forecast
NWS forecast for Crystal Downs Country Club, MI
Typical weather
Typical October night 43°F, day 56°F.
Coldest month of the year: typical January night 19°F, below freezing. Bring a bag rated colder than that, and expect ice in the water bottle.
Daily high and lowDays with 0.10 in or more
A normal is the 1991-2020 average for the month, not a forecast: about half of all Julys are colder than the July line. The seven-day forecast above answers the other question.
The land, and who answers for it
who answers for it · a letter you can send
Who answers for this land
Platte River Campground is in Michigan’s 1st congressional district. Its representative, Jack Bergman (R), votes on the laws that decide what happens to this land. Public-lands grade so far: F. See every public-lands vote →
Who can change it · 4
Two offices, two different asks. The draft to the agency asks it to set aside a published share of the sites here for whoever drives up. The draft to Congress asks why that share is zero and presses for a published minimum at the campgrounds it funds.
- The office that runs itSleeping Bear Dunes National LakeshoreNational Park Service unit
- The member who votes the moneyJack BergmanU.S. Representative · Michigan’s 1st district
- Your senator, on the same appropriationElissa SlotkinU.S. Senator · Michigan
- Your senator, on the same appropriationGary C. PetersU.S. Senator · Michigan
Read the draft, or change the wording
For the camper who turned up, or tried to book, and couldn’t get in. Every draft is written from this campground’s own record (its agency, its unit, its site count and its own weekend) and the buttons above copy whichever wording is selected here.
Asks the National Park Service to set aside a published share of the sites here for whoever drives up, and to post what that share is.
Subject Hold back a share of sites at Platte River Campground for campers who drive up
To the National Park Service, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore: I tried to camp at Platte River Campground in Michigan and couldn’t. recreation.gov lists 171 of the 179 campsites the agency files at Platte River Campground, and every one of them is booked ahead, and the agency's own record lists none held back for somebody who drives up. On Saturday, October 17, all 171 sites recreation.gov was offering there were already booked. 1,623 of the 7,647 federal campgrounds in this country still keep at least some sites for whoever arrives first. Platte River Campground keeps none, and that’s a choice somebody made rather than a rule. I’m asking for one specific thing: set aside a published share of the sites at Platte River Campground as first-come, first-served, and post what that share is so it can be checked. Somebody who drives up has no way in, and no way to find out whether they might have had one. Sent about Platte River Campground (Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan) via campanac.com
Asks them to put the question to the agency in writing, and to press for a published minimum share of walk-up sites across the campgrounds they fund.
Subject Walk-up camping at Platte River Campground, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan
Dear Jack Bergman, I’m a constituent in Michigan’s 1st district. I tried to camp at Platte River Campground, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan, and couldn’t. recreation.gov lists 171 of the 179 campsites the agency files at Platte River Campground, and every one of them is booked ahead, and the agency's own record lists none held back for somebody who drives up. On Saturday, October 17, all 171 sites recreation.gov was offering there were already booked. 1,623 of the 7,647 federal campgrounds in this country still keep at least some sites for whoever arrives first. Platte River Campground keeps none, and that’s a choice somebody made rather than a rule. I’m not asking you to run Platte River Campground. I’m asking you to put it to the National Park Service in writing: why is the share of first-come sites there zero, and what would a published minimum share cost? Please press for that minimum at the federal campgrounds you fund. The people who open these campgrounds, collect the fees and keep the water running are seasonal positions. At GS-5, base pay plus the government's own 36.25% benefit factor, one costs about $47,414 a year. One percent of the $13.3 billion the USS Gerald R. Ford cost to procure would pay for about 2,800 of them for a year. Both figures are the government's own (a Congressional Research Service report and an OPM pay table), and I’m glad to send them. Sent about Platte River Campground (Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan) via campanac.com
Asks them to put the question to the agency in writing, and to press for a published minimum share of walk-up sites across the campgrounds they fund.
Subject Walk-up camping at Platte River Campground, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan
Dear Elissa Slotkin, I’m a constituent in Michigan. I tried to camp at Platte River Campground, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan, and couldn’t. recreation.gov lists 171 of the 179 campsites the agency files at Platte River Campground, and every one of them is booked ahead, and the agency's own record lists none held back for somebody who drives up. On Saturday, October 17, all 171 sites recreation.gov was offering there were already booked. 1,623 of the 7,647 federal campgrounds in this country still keep at least some sites for whoever arrives first. Platte River Campground keeps none, and that’s a choice somebody made rather than a rule. I’m not asking you to run Platte River Campground. I’m asking you to put it to the National Park Service in writing: why is the share of first-come sites there zero, and what would a published minimum share cost? Please press for that minimum at the federal campgrounds you fund. The people who open these campgrounds, collect the fees and keep the water running are seasonal positions. At GS-5, base pay plus the government's own 36.25% benefit factor, one costs about $47,414 a year. One percent of the $13.3 billion the USS Gerald R. Ford cost to procure would pay for about 2,800 of them for a year. Both figures are the government's own (a Congressional Research Service report and an OPM pay table), and I’m glad to send them. Sent about Platte River Campground (Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan) via campanac.com
Asks them to put the question to the agency in writing, and to press for a published minimum share of walk-up sites across the campgrounds they fund.
Subject Walk-up camping at Platte River Campground, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan
Dear Gary C. Peters, I’m a constituent in Michigan. I tried to camp at Platte River Campground, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan, and couldn’t. recreation.gov lists 171 of the 179 campsites the agency files at Platte River Campground, and every one of them is booked ahead, and the agency's own record lists none held back for somebody who drives up. On Saturday, October 17, all 171 sites recreation.gov was offering there were already booked. 1,623 of the 7,647 federal campgrounds in this country still keep at least some sites for whoever arrives first. Platte River Campground keeps none, and that’s a choice somebody made rather than a rule. I’m not asking you to run Platte River Campground. I’m asking you to put it to the National Park Service in writing: why is the share of first-come sites there zero, and what would a published minimum share cost? Please press for that minimum at the federal campgrounds you fund. The people who open these campgrounds, collect the fees and keep the water running are seasonal positions. At GS-5, base pay plus the government's own 36.25% benefit factor, one costs about $47,414 a year. One percent of the $13.3 billion the USS Gerald R. Ford cost to procure would pay for about 2,800 of them for a year. Both figures are the government's own (a Congressional Research Service report and an OPM pay table), and I’m glad to send them. Sent about Platte River Campground (Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan) via campanac.com