Sleeping Bear Dunes

You'll be missing out if you park and don't drive anywhere. The park is very large.

Here is the map. Look at the 'Dune Climb' - that's the major dunes and it would be a long hike. Also, the 'Scenic Drive' is a must.

May can be cold there. DHDay is a nice 'dry' campground but we love Platte River C.G. (mainly because we volunteered there for 9 seasons along with 3 season on South Manitou Island giving lighthouse tours). It's a very special place for us.

The whole peninsula is gorgeous with neat little towns to poke around. You have to drive to experience it.

https://www.nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/upload/SLBEmap2015park_web.pdf

https://www.nps.gov/slbe/index.htm

It could be quite cold yet in May, so I would choose the one with electric.

Early May will probably still be cold especially with the wind from the west coming over Lake Michigan. Probably going to need to drive to get to the different parts of the park. The Pierce Stocking drive is nice. It is a loop through the different dune stages with nice overlooks and stops for walks out into the dunes.

I just looked at your photos - very nice! I see you have a travel trailer. Why not take it on the trip?

We have stayed at Platte river Federal forest and it has been great. Clean restrooms and everything you would want. The drive is good to the park but there are other things in the area that you will want to see. FishTown, wineries, Glen Arbor, Glen Haven and the Pierce Stocking drive through the dunes.

I would never go there without having a vehicle since it is so much more than just a pile of sand.

Have fun and welcome to Michigan.

The Empire Asparagus Festival is also in May and in the area. https://www.everfest.com/e/empire-asparagus-festival-empire-mi

Another vote for Platte River campground. As others have mentioned, you have to drive to see much. You can walk to a beach from Platte River, but not to the big dunes. Don't know what is near the other campground, it seemed kind of remote. There is a bike path from Platte River to the other parts of the park but I can't recall the distances.

It could still be cold. Honestly, it was snowing here in the lower peninsula through the end of April this year. It might be nice and warm, but it's typically cool right on Lake Michigan.

Thanks very much for the responses - looks like we'll stay at the Platte River CG and do some driving. Not a problem - we usually consider it more relaxing to walk everywhere once we're camped - but can do it differently this time. :)

We're prepared for cool weather camping - that's the best for hiking - don't want snow though! Looking at Weatherbase Traverse City looks to have very similar weather and temps as here at home.

2gypsies wrote:
I just looked at your photos - very nice! I see you have a travel trailer. Why not take it on the trip?

Thanks! The driving around doesn't make any difference if we take our trailer or our B. We're trying to get used to the B for longer trips - it's such a fun RV...

I do a yearly boondocking trip to that general area every May. Be prepared for nighttime temps in the 20s and possible snow.