South Manitou Group Campground
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
South Manitou Group Campground is a tent-only backcountry facility on South Manitou Island in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on Lake Michigan. Campers must take a 1.5-hour Manitou Island Transit Ferry trip or boat ride to reach it, and must backpack their gear into the campground from the dock.
This facility is comprised of three reservable group sites at Bay Campground and three others at Weather Station Campground. Each site is open to groups of nine to 20 people only. Smaller parties must plan to occupy multiple first-come, first-served individual sites at Popple, Bay or Weather Station Campgrounds on the island. Bay is the closest campground to the dock (less than a mile/1.6 km) and a short walk from the beach. Weather Station overlooks Lake Michigan from the bluffs on the south side of the island; the hike from the ferry is about 1.3 miles (2 km).
If group sites are full, your group may be able to split up into multiple individual campsites. Be sure to book reservations on the Manitou Island Transit website or call (231) 256-9061 for transportation to the island. Or contact Sleeping Bear Dunes for more information at (231) 326-4700 ext 5010.
Summer temperatures range from the upper 70s to 90 degrees F (25° to 32° C) during the day, and from the 50s to 70 degrees F (10° to 25° C) at night. Winters are cold, with daytime highs from 20° to 30° F (-7° to -1° C) and lows in the 10s and 20s F (-12 to -7° C). Snow is usually on the ground from late November through March.
Water is only available in the Village area. Group campsites are secluded and set apart from one another. Each site has a fire pit for open fires (firewood must be purchased or collected in the park). Wooden pit toilets are provided, however campers must bring their own toilet paper.
Need to Know
Each site is open to groups of 9 to 20 people ONLY and a maximum of 10 tents. Smaller groups will be required to occupy multiple first-come, first-served individual sites at Popple, Bay or Weather Station Campgrounds on the island if they show up at Manitou Island Transit with less than the required occupancy.
There is a camping limit of 14 total calendar days per designated campground 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.
South Manitou Island is accessible only by private boat or passenger ferry. Visitors must book a ticket on the Manitou Island Transit website or call (231) 256-9061 for ferry availability before making camping arrangements. The fee for group camping does not include transportation to the island. Check the park's Plan Your Trip to the Islands page for more information.
Be prepared for diverse weather conditions that may cause ferry delays.
This is a tent-only, backcountry campsite; all gear must be backpacked in; no wheeled vehicles can reach the facility.
Bay, Weather Station and Popple campgrounds have individual campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis on the island; the island is open to camping year-round, but there are no off-season services available.
A maximum of 10 tents is allowed per site.
The transportation of firewood to North and South Manitou Islands is strictly prohibited. This is pursuant to the State of Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development's Emerald Ash Borer Quarantine. Campers may collect dead and down wood for personal use during their visit. Unused wood must remain on the island.
Chipmunks frequent the camping area. Food and scented items must be hung from a tree and never kept in tents or backpacks
The campground does not offer electricity. Drinking water is available only in the Village area on South Manitou Island.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore charges an entrance fee (apart from camping fees) for each group. You may pay the entrance fee upon arrival at a staffed location. The park also honors Federal interagency passes (e.g., annual, senior, access, 4th grade, Golden Age pass etc.). For more information visit the park's Fees & Passes web page.
NOTE: Effective March 1, 2023, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore accepts card payment only at staffed locations (no cash or checks).
Campers must bring their own toilet paper.
The park has pebble beaches rather than sand; water shoes are recommended.
No pets allowed.
Natural Features
South Manitou Island is part of an island chain in Lake Michigan that extends north to the Straits of Mackinac. The island consists of a ridge of tilted layers of limestone, buried under a blanket of glacial debris. It features unique sand dune formations, 10 miles of pebble beaches and a grove of old growth white cedars that date back over 500 years. The campgrounds lie on sandy soils among younger forests.
Recreation
There is no shortage of activities on South Manitou Island. Visitors can hike around the 10-mile perimeter of the island via pebble beaches, take a tour of the South Manitou Island Lighthouse during summer months, view the 1960 shipwreck of the Francisco Morazanon or go on a motorized tour to learn the history of the island.
Visitors can also hike day-long excursions to unique sand dune formations and old growth cedar forests. Both campgrounds have beach access where campers can beachcomb and swim; group sites are closer to the beach at Bay Campground than at Weather Station.
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-22 to Sutton's Bay. Go west on M-204 from Sutton's Bay towards Leland. Turn north at the junction of M-22 and M-204 to Leland. Take the Manitou Island Transit ferry from Leland to South Manitou Island.
Available Campsites
- Site WG001, Loop Weather Station Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site BG001, Loop Bay Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site BG003, Loop Bay Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site WG002, Loop Weather Station Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site WG003, Loop Weather Station Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site BG002, Loop Bay Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
