D.H. Day Group Campground, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - Recreation.gov (2023)

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Picnic tables and campfire rings are provided at the campsites. The campground has drinking water during the reservation season, but the water is shut off from October through April. Pets and RVs are not allowed in the group sites. Access to the campground is via a dirt road.

Need to Know

• NOTE: This a different location than D.H. Day Campground, Campers must travel on a dirt road to reach this facility

  Prior to setting up camp; All CAMPERS MUST CHECK-IN at D.H. Day Campground 8000 W Harbor Highway, Glen Arbor, MI 49636

• A National Park Service entrance pass for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is REQUIRED FOR EACH VEHICLE:

  $25 Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore entrance fee (1-7 days).

  $45 Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Annual pass (if camping more than 7 days).

  Information about other National Park Service pass options can be found at www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm

  We are not part of the Michigan State Park & Recreation System, our fees are separate from the Michigan Recreation Passport.

• SAFETY-

  Please notify a Ranger or Campground Host if you encounter any problems.

  IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, DIAL 9-1-1

• BE A GOOD CAMPER, PLEASE OBEY THE FOLLOWING REGULATIONS

  1.Campers must check-in at the DH Day Campground Office prior to setting up camp.

  2.Campers must notify the campground office at 231-326-4700 ext 5045 if they will not arrive within 24 hours of the check-in time or their reservation will be cancelled; cancellations will be charged the first night’s camping fee plus a $20 no show fee.

  See Also

  15 Things to Do While Camping in Sleeping Bear DunesSleep Beneath Stars: Camping in Sleeping Bear Dunes. - Outdoor Overnights7 Best Places to Camp While Visiting Sleeping Bear DunesThe Ultimate Sleeping Bear Dunes Travel Guide - PA on Pause

  3.Check-in time is 2 PM.

  4.Check-out time is 12:00 noon. All equipment and vehicles must be out of site and parking lot at this time.

  5.Camp ONLY at the group site reserved for your use, do not change sites.

  6.ALL vehicles must remain in the established parking lot and off vegetation.

  7.Tents only, no RVs or trailers allowed.

  8.Group campsites require a minimum of 7 people, but not more than 25 people per site.

  9.Quiet hours are 10 PM – 6 AM. Noise levels must be controlled at all times to avoid disturbing other campers. Generators, chainsaws, or other items that cause unreasonable or excessive noise are prohibited.

  10.There is a camping limit of 14 total calendar days per designated campground for all individuals camping within the National Lakeshore from Friday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Camping equipment may not remain on a site for more than 14 days, even if used by a different group.

  11. ACTIVE BEAR AREA: Store food, drinks, ice chests/coolers, toiletries, trash/recyclables and all scented items in a sealed vehicle or food storage locker day and night. Never feed wildlife.

  12.Pets are prohibited in the group site camping areas.

  13.Wheeled devices, including wheelbarrows, wagons, carts & trailers are prohibited on foot trails. Do not create shortcuts.

  14.Bicycles are to be used on roads or the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail only. Roller blades, skates, skateboards, scooters, and similar devices are prohibited in the campground.

  15.To prevent and slow the spread of forest pests and disease; YOU MAY ONLY BURN NPS APPROVED FIREWOOD. A list of approved vendors is available in the park newspaper (when available).

  16.Confine all fires to the fire ring and burn ONLY dead, down and detached wood or charcoal. Fires must be completely extinguished with water before leaving a campsite. DO NOT LEAVE FIRES UNATTENDED.

  17.It is unlawful to cut, destroy, damage or remove ANY standing tree, shrub, or plant, or to possess any green vegetation within the park, including flowers.

  18.Do not injure trees with nails, hanging hot lanterns against the trunk, or hang hammocks in a way that damages trees.

  19.Washing of dishes, hands, hair or brushing teeth, etc. at outdoor water station is prohibited. Be sure to return valve to the OFF position after use. Excessive use of the solar water station will exhaust the water supply.

  20. Do NOT burn trash or garbage in fire rings, ALL trash & garbage MUST be disposed of in provided trash cans.

  Violation of these terms may result in permit suspension, revocation and/or issuance of a citation by law enforcement.

• The park has pebble beaches rather than sand; water shoes are recommended.

  Poison ivy is abundant throughout the Lakeshore.

  For posion ivy identification see "Poison Ivy" and the adjacent image under the "Shrub Zone" heading on this webpage: https://www.nps.gov/slbe/learn/kidsyouth/plants.htm

• Firewood from areas outside of this facility must be from a Lakeshore approved firewood vendor.

  A list of Lakeshore approved vendors is available at www.nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/firewood.htm.

  Firewood is also available for purchase at the nearby D.H. Day Campground, or visitors may collect dead and down wood within the park boundaries.

  For more information, visit www.invasive.org or www.don'tmovefirewood.org .

Natural Features

Nearby Attractions

The historic area of Glen Haven, which features a working blacksmith shop, a 1920s-era general store and Sleeping Bear Point Maritime Museum, is within a short drive of the campground.

Recreation

Changes & Cancellations

Campers must notify the campground office at 231-334-4634 if they will not arrive within 24 hours of the check-in time or their reservation will be cancelled;

•They will be charged a $20 no show fee and forfeit the first night’s recreation fee for the campsite.

•Staff will hold a campsite until 2:00 pm on the day after the scheduled arrival date.

Other www.recreation.gov fees include:

•Any cancelled reservation refund will have a $10 service fee withheld.

•Switching to dates that are entirely outside of the original reservation dates: $10 change fee.

•Cancelling a reservation, the day before or on the day of arrival: $10 service fee AND forfeit the first night’s camping fee.

•Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid but will not be subject to an additional service fee.

•Group Site Reservations cancelled less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10 service fee AND forfeit the first night’s camping fee.

For a complete explanation of all recreation.gov change and cancellation policies visit https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies

Contact Information

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SLEEPING BEAR DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE 9922 FRONT STREET EMPIRE MI 49630

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 231-326-4700

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

From Traverse City, Michigan take M-72 west to Empire. Proceed 2.1 miles north of Empire on M-22. Go 4.1 miles north on M-109 to West Harwood Road. Take a left on West Harwood Road and continue all the way to the end of the road to D.H. Day Group Campground.

Reservations MUST check-in and pay entrance fees at D.H. Day Group Campground 8000 W Harbor Highway, Glen Arbor, MI 49636

Available Campsites

• Site G001, Loop D.H. DAY Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
• Site G004, Loop D.H. DAY Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
• Site G003, Loop D.H. DAY Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
• Site G002, Loop D.H. DAY Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric

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