campgrounds near Sleeping Bear Dunes, MI

High5Alive · Apr 15, 2008, 07:43 PM

We would like to camp in Michigan near Sleeping Bear Dunes State Park during the first full week of August. I know this is a busy time and most of the state parks seem to be full. I wondered if anyone had any suggestions. Has anyone camped at Orchard Beach state park? What about Timber Ridge Campground? We are a family of 5, our oldest child is 8 and the youngest is 3. We have only stayed at state parks. Any ideas would be helpful.

Thank you.

tlhdoc · Apr 15, 2008, 08:09 PM

Do you mean Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore or is there a state park too? There are two campgrounds in the National park. Did you check them both out?

ForestCreature · Apr 16, 2008, 05:41 AM

Tracy is correct Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore , we stayed at the Platte River CG it's pretty nice . It's not far from the canoe livery for a kayak/canoe nice trip down to the mouth of the river. Down side is the beach is not close by.

http://www.nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm

SpeakEasy · Apr 16, 2008, 05:45 AM

Not right at Sleeping Bear, but not terribly far away is a wonderful campground at Interloken State Park. Probably one of the nicest features is that it is right across the street from a nationally recognized music camp for young people. I don't know if the music camp runs all summer, but both times we've camped at Interloken, the music camp has been in operation. What this means is that every evening, if you choose, you can go to a concert!

-Speak

High5Alive · Apr 16, 2008, 08:16 AM

Quote from: tlhdocDo you mean Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore or is there a state park too? There are two campgrounds in the National park. Did you check them both out?

I am sorry I mispoke, I did mean Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore. I have checked out the campgrounds in the park. One has no electricity, which I am not sure we are quite ready for and the other is a first come first serve. We live about 8 hours away and I am not sure we could make it in time to get a site.

Thank you for your interest, any thoughts or suggestions would be helpful.

ForestCreature · Apr 16, 2008, 04:55 PM

You can reserve at the Platte River CG. Here's a copy and paste right off their site. With working links!

Take a look at the campground map and review the camping fee schedule and reservation process. Reservations for Platte River Campground can be made online by Clicking Here or by calling 1-877-444-6777 between 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. eastern time.

SpeakEasy · Apr 16, 2008, 07:31 PM

We've camped a couple of times at the one without electricity. I think it's called D.H.Day or something like that. It's very nice, but primitive. If you like quiet, you'll like it there. Watch out for poison ivy there! I've never seen a healthier crop of it than they have right there in the campground - right on the sites and in between the sites.

-Speak

tlhdoc · Apr 16, 2008, 08:19 PM

Quote from: SpeakEasyWe've camped a couple of times at the one without electricity. I think it's called D.H.Day or something like that. It's very nice, but primitive. If you like quiet, you'll like it there. Watch out for poison ivy there! I've never seen a healthier crop of it than they have right there in the campground - right on the sites and in between the sites.

-Speak

Does the ivy cut down on people cutting through your site?

SpeakEasy · Apr 17, 2008, 04:44 AM

Quote from: tlhdocDoes the ivy cut down on people cutting through your site?

LOL!

I doubt it. My guess is that most people who are "cutters" probably also tend not to notice things like poison ivy.

-Speak

High5Alive · Apr 17, 2008, 10:45 AM

Quote from: SpeakEasyLOL!

I doubt it. My guess is that most people who are "cutters" probably also tend not to notice things like poison ivy.

-Speak

I did go back and look at the Platte River Campground but they did not have any of the dates that we needed. We really wanted a campground on the lake. The only place that seemed to have any sites available is a private campground a little further North, called Mckinaw Mill Creek Camping. I hope it is O.k. Has anyone ever been there. This will be the first time we have camped in a private campground.

Any thoughts about the area or campground are appreciated.

Thanks

SpeakEasy · Apr 17, 2008, 06:46 PM

Quote from: High5AliveI did go back and look at the Platte River Campground but they did not have any of the dates that we needed. We really wanted a campground on the lake. The only place that seemed to have any sites available is a private campground a little further North, called Mckinaw Mill Creek Camping. I hope it is O.k. Has anyone ever been there. This will be the first time we have camped in a private campground.

Any thoughts about the area or campground are appreciated.

Thanks

I love the area. (By "the area" I mean all of northern Michigan.) It sounds like your dates are already set, but if you go in early July you'll get there at the peak of cherry season. Travers City has an amazing cherry festival every year. If you like interesting little food novelty items, go to a store called Cherry Republic.

At Sleeping Bear Dunes check out the huge lakeside dune. You drive to it in the northern part of the National Lakeshore, and you park at the top. It's a long, steep drop down to the lake. Don't walk down unless you're in top physical condition, because the climb back up is brutal. Lots of people go to this spot for the beautiful sunsets because you're high over Lake Michigan facing west.

-Speak

High5Alive · Apr 19, 2008, 08:48 AM

Quote from: SpeakEasyI love the area. (By "the area" I mean all of northern Michigan.) It sounds like your dates are already set, but if you go in early July you'll get there at the peak of cherry season. Travers City has an amazing cherry festival every year. If you like interesting little food novelty items, go to a store called Cherry Republic.

At Sleeping Bear Dunes check out the huge lakeside dune. You drive to it in the northern part of the National Lakeshore, and you park at the top. It's a long, steep drop down to the lake. Don't walk down unless you're in top physical condition, because the climb back up is brutal. Lots of people go to this spot for the beautiful sunsets because you're high over Lake Michigan facing west.

-Speak

Thanks for the tips. We are looking forward to the trip. My husband has fond memories of the dunes from his childhood and I'm sure we will not be disappointed.

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campgrounds near Sleeping Bear Dunes, MI