Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore camping

[Tonijim]

We're planning a mid-August trip to the western shore of lower Michigan, and wonder if folks have a favorite campground(s) in the Sleeping Bear Dunes area also any don't-miss attractions? We're in a 32' Class C with no toad this time.

We would appreciate any suggestions.

Jim

[travelnutz]

Tonijim,

I think you might mean INDIGO Bluffs RV Resort at M-72 and CR 677. We camped there several times back 25+ years ago when it first opend as "Sleepy Bear CG".

Was sold later as I was told and the new owners completely rebuilt the CG and added the very nice FHU section closest to the corner of the 2 highways.

Decent location and close to lots of things in SBNL. Nice swimming beach on Lake Michigan at Empire and there's a few places you can park your 32' "C" there but not many. The beach is only a few blocks from the main street so it's even walkable.

At the west end of the main street in Empire and going south takes you up the big forested hill/dune to Empire Bluffs lookoput parking area so you can walk out on the top of the dune for some great views etc. Lots of hanggliders launch from there and some will ride the dune uplift air currents for many hours until they get too tired to go on. Going further south on M-22 takes you to the Platte River and Platte Lake area etc and the NP CG. Adequate/decent grocery stores etc are at Glen Arbor, Empire, Honor, Frankfort, and even Leland which also has fresh smoked there many varieties of fish including local wild caught salmon plus they make a smoked fish sausage right there too. Lots of shopping or window shopping etc. Leland is worth the trip and there are lots of excellent award winning wineries all over the whole region. Bet you never had real 100% Cherry Wine before direct from the orchards. Many varieties to sample. We love it! Traverse City has about anything you could ever need or want in cluding many of the big box stores and outlets.

The SBNL Park headquarters and info center etc is just east of the stop light on the corner of M-22 and M-72. Best to get your info, maps, and ask questions there for the area and they have a very large paved parking area for big RV's behind the building. So many attractions on M-109 that veers left off M-22 about a mile north of Empire. sAbout 30 miles south of Empire is the inspirational roadside park lookout on M-22 just north of Arcadia and what a view.

So many more great attractions and scenic areas and overlooks. Just ask when or if you want to know or anything else as we know the area well. Been going there more than twice a year since the early 1960's.

[Tonijim]

Again - thanks for the great responses. Based on bid-tim's (?) admonition, I checked Platte River cg - nothing till after Labor Day. I was able to get a full hookup at Indian Bluffs Rv resort (last site said the nice woman on the phone). Wow!

Travelnutz, I may send a PM in a while.

Thanks to all.

Jim

[michigansandzil]

We visited Sleeping Bear Dunes last September. We stayed at Traverse City State Park and went to the Dunes for the day.
I have to admit that we weren't impressed with Traverse city at all, but most other people really seem to enjoy the area, although I have no idea why.
With that being said, it was very reasonable to stay in Traverse and drive into the Dunes for a visit. Traverse city has a casino, shopping, and lots of wine.

[travelnutz]

We usually use our 11'4" Lance TC on our diesel truck in the summer and fall because we usually have a decent sized boat behind. Because on top of 4 of the 5 Great Lakes bordering Michigan with over 50 ports and harbors there's also over 11,000 inland lakes in the State of Michigan. Boating and camping is a way of life in Michigan and has been for over 75+ years and many CG's are even open year a round. "travelnutz" isn't only for RV'ing/camping! The 5th wheel etc is for when we plan to stay in one spot for over 2-3 weeks.

[travelnutz]

Tonijim,

So are we very active seniors and a little over age 72. We RV and camp all over and for more than 100 nights each year and not about to stop or slow down until they close our caskets. Only been doing it for 51 years so far.

You may PM me anytime.

When we travel we take 2-3 laptops with us depending if we're in the TC or the 5th wheel as we have the Verizon Jet Pack MIFI and always have WIFI for up to 10 computers/hookups. Also, our main cell phone is the very new Samsung 5 which has total WIFI and so much more and it's as fast as out fastest laptop. 4G is everywhere in West Michigan.

BTW, just noticed that they are replacing the bridge over the Platte River presently on M-22 and there's one lane traffic during the week days but it's open all summer. Not a big problem but something to be aware of. The bridge is about .2 miles from the Platte River CG entrance which is towards Lake Michigan across the road from the river.

The river to Lake Michigan with a canoe or kayaks is a lot of fun as it's crystal clear water and mostly a sand bottom and you can standup in it almost everywhere so no problem if you a novice or tip over on purpose and can't swim, haha. Rented right next to the bridge and they come down to the park at Lake Michigan every about 20 minutes and pick you up with vans and bring you back to the CG entrance or where you rented from where your car may be, but you won't have a car there. About a 2-3 block long walk to your campsite depending on which loop and which site. Yes, in August you will need reservations at Platte River CG. Don't give up as there are cancellations that happen. The CG has hundreds of sites. Also check other CG's too as you can still drive to the area. Platte River CG is at the south end of the national park and the roads are excellent all over the area. August is a too late for tree picking of fresh cherries as the Northwest side of Michigan is where 70%-75% of the nations cherries are grown. Mostly red cherries for pies and wines etc but lots a big black sweet cherries too. Too early by a month for the superb peaches, pears, apricots, and apples etc. Lots of excellent wineries as it's a superb grape growing region and wins so many international fine wines awards.

Plan a trip to Leland and maybe over to North or South Manitou Island on the boat. Can't miss the Pierce Stocking dune drive either. So much for retired folks to do and see that it would be very hard to list them all.

[bid_time]

If you don't have a reservation by now, you won't get into one of the reservable sites in Platte River campground. That's also true of the State Parks in that area also. Further north you will find better chances for a reservable site. Your chances of getting into one of the non-reservable sites is hit and miss. So how lucky do you feel?

On Edit - I had forgotter but just thought of; your best bet may be Interlochen State Park just a bit down the road.

[Tonijim]

Thanks to all for your informative responses. Travelnutz - we are two very active seniors, traveling without kids/grandkids on this trip, so we will be looking for sights and adventures geared toward our age group. If you're amenable to a PM, I might try one or two as we get closer to our ETD.

Thanks again.

Jim

[travelnutz]

Tonijim,

You are going in a 32' class "C" which fit in nearly all CG sites in the area and and also in Michigan State Park CG's. Will it be only adults or will you have kids with you as that can make a difference as to which of the so many attractions and places you may prefer to visit. All are very child and adult friendly and are totally safe for all ages. Can't speak for most private CG's site sizes as we rarely stay at them but most are very family friendly too.

However, bear in mind that RV'ing and camping is extremely popular in Michigan as there are a few thousand CG's in the state and over a hundred thousand campsites in Michigan and most are heavily used. Reservations are suggested for most popular areas and basically required for about 1/4 of the best of the many CG's, especially on the west side along Lake Michigan in July and August and you'll see the reason why! What things, activities, experience do you like to do as that will be a big help in answering your request? It's not expensive by any stretch to enjoy a delightful couple weeks in the SBNL area or in West Michigan and I realize costs are very important to most. We can say that because we are a little familiar with MA and the high costs etc there as our Son and wife lived west of Boston when he was an engineer at Bose Corp on Bose Mountain in Famingham abd we've been there several times and all over New England. Also have family in East Longmeadow and Marblehead.

[Parrothead_Mike]

The Platte River Campground is certainly nice, but a bit difficult to get into. The other campground within the park is D.H. Day campground, but it is considered a rustic CG, although a portion of it does allow generators. It has a great beach though and is just south of Glen Arbor. I believe they do not accept reservations for D.H. Day so get there early if you want a site.

For private campgrounds I would suggest Indigo Bluffs located on M-72 east of Empire about 5-7 miles. We stayed in the RV portion of the park last summer and found it nice enough. It has water & electric, but there are just a few FHU sites. The motorhome portion of the park is mostly privately owned sites and is right next to the RV park. Chances of getting into the RV portion are fairly good, but reservations might be a good idea. RV Park Reviews.com link below.

http://www.rvparkreviews.com/regions/Michigan/Empire.html

Further south of this area you will find a nice campground on the north side of Manistee at Little River Casino. There is also a nice state park in Manistee called Orchard Beach State Park. There are openings there right now because I just checked the state reservation system yesterday for July dates. Traveling M-22 north from Manistee is a nice drive all the way up to Leland and Northport.

[travelnutz]

Jayco-noslide,

There are 2 CG in SBNL. Platte River CG which has electric on 3 of the 4 loops and DH Day CG which is rustic and for a reason. DH Day was Michigan's very first State Park with a CG dating back over 90 years ago. DH Day CG became part of the SBNL NP when the area became a National Park back around 1970 and it was agreed upon that DH Day (David Henry Day who was a US senator and owned much of the land in SBNL and donated it to the State of Michigan as a public park) would remain as it had been all those years before. DH Day's farm, huge barn, and home are kept in restored preservation still today. Simply gorgeous and ornate! Just over the hill is the old restored buildings in the port of Glen Haven where the fruit and fish canning industry thrived and ships stopped to get firewood for their boilers each trip thru L. Michigan and L. Huron. All in SBNL. Forests everywhere!

My nephew (Sister's son) was a Michigan State Park ranger at Platte River CG when it was also a state park before being a National Park. He transferred to the National Park service for many years when/after the area became a national park. He's retired now.

[Jayco-noslide]

Our favorite campground on our whole trip(up the coast and across the UP) was the national park campground within Sleeping Bear Dunes NP. Though many Nat'l parks don't have elec. hook-up I think this one does(check to make sure). Of course the half price for seniors helped but we just really liked the campground.

[travelnutz]

We know the area very well so if you have any questions, we may be able to help you.

[travelnutz]

BTW, every site in Platte River CG is paved and the wheels of all vehicles must be on the paved (blacktop) area. Everything in the NP is kept natural growth. Lots of deer and so much to do that it's impossible to do even half in a month or two. You also can take a cruise/ferry over to the islands or our own boat but NO vehicles. Lots of rustic CG's on the islands and some of the worlds largest cedar trees. Hiking trails everywhere and most are marked or take a compass and get a free map. Very secluded beaches on the islands where you can be the only human you see if you have a mirror or are seeing those with you. SBNL has over 60 miles of sand beach Lake Michigan Lakeshore.

[travelnutz]

We like and prefer Platte River CG in SBNL. It's a gorgeous big site National Park CG with a lot of sites on 4 large loops. Loop 1, 3, and 4 are reservable and loop 2 is not unless they have changed it since last year. Loops 1, 2, and 3 have 30 amp min electric and loop 4 has no hookups and is usually about half tents but due to the thick forests you don't see many from another site. The bathouses are tiled and very clean and modern. The showers are along the back side of the buildings and each shower has it's own door from the outside. Showers are token operated and tokens are available in the machine outside 24/7 at the check in office. Wood for fires is right between loop 2 & 3.

SBNL is very long in miles and there's attractions all over the National Park. Lake Michigan beaches can be by trail or by vehicle from the PRCG sites. Canoe, kayak, and other floats for the Platte River trip out to the mouth at Lake Michigan are right across from the CG. You can't see the road to Lake Michigan from the CG sites because of the thick woods between the 1/4 mile of thick woods inbetween. The dunes are like 400' to 450' high and there's a fabulous 12 mile long paved drive thru some of them with very steep hills both up and down and NO trailers are allowed on the drive and many busses are prevented because they couldn't handle the grades and tight curves. There are parking spaces for RV's at most of the dune drive lookout areas and features. There's also a picnic mountain so pack a lunch. The gorgeous scenic sights are part of why SBNL was voted by the public as the most beautiful place in America. We've been to SBNL way over 50 times now and are still find more and more.

There's also about a dozen or more private owned CG's right in the area from basic hookups to very high class. Lot's of quaint little town and museums and other things to do close by.