We're planning on going there next May - like early May.There are 2 CGs - One has electric and the other doesn't. The one without electric is the one closest to the main dunes and the other one is about 23 minutes away from there.We've never been there so we want to pick the correct place to camp. We can do the one without electric if it won't be too cold. We'd rather not drive once we are parked.Anyone with experience... Which one would you pick and why?

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.pdfhttps://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?

Sleeping Bear Dunes | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

2gypsies1
Explorer III
Nov 05, 2018
I just looked at your photos - very nice! I see you have a travel trailer. Why not take it on the trip?
Oldmaple
Explorer
Nov 05, 2018
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.
doxiemom11
Explorer II
Nov 05, 2018
It could be quite cold yet in May, so I would choose the one with electric.
2oldman
Explorer II
Nov 05, 2018
Posts containing SBD
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Nov 05, 2018
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

Forum Discussion

Sleeping Bear Dunes

15 Replies

About Campground 101

Related Content

Sleeping bear dunes camping??

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore camping

Wheel bearing repacking

big rig campground at sleeping bear dunes, pictured rocks

Sleeping Bear Dunes / Platte River