D.H. Day Campground

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

D.H. Day Campground is located in the northern district of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, on the lower peninsula of Michigan.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS A MAP OF D.H. DAY CAMPGROUND: www.nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/dhdaycamp.htm

This rustic campground is one of the most popular in Northern Michigan and is open (weather permitting) from the first Friday in April through the last Sunday in November. Reservations are required May 1 through October 15. Campsites are within walking distance of the Lake Michigan shoreline and a short drive to many popular features in the park. Summer temperatures range from the upper 70s to 90s during the day, and 50s to 70s at night.

As with all NPS sites Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is following all CDC guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting public spaces found at: https://www.cdc.gov/.../pdf/Reopening_America_Guidance.pdf This includes routine cleaning of outside surfaces, showers and restrooms, plus twice a day deep cleaning/disinfecting of showers and restrooms using EPA approved disinfectants against Covid-19. Our campground offices have implemented once a day disinfecting at opening, then all touched surfaces will be disinfected after each group uses the office, barriers have been installed on the desks, our staff wear masks, and only one group will be allowed into the office at a time. For more on how the NPS is responding to Covid-19 you can also go to: https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/news/public-health-update.htm Please call the visitor center at 231-326-4700, ext. 5010 if you have a specific question about one of the park's safety measures.

With 81 beautifully wooded campsites, shared water spigots, and vault toilets, D.H. Day provides a more rustic camping experience.

Free hot showers are available at Platte River Camground, located 17 miles south along highway M-22.

Each campsite has a parking area, large picnic table, fire ring and tent pad. Firewood is also sold in the campgound via a self-serve vending trailer.

Notifications and Alerts

Summer 2023 Volunteer Campground Host positions are available at D.H. Day Campground.

Please visit www.volunteer.gov to apply & get more information.

Positions available:
- May 15 - October 1 (max 40' RV/trailer)
- July 20 - October 15 (max 27' RV/Trailer)

Need to Know

Beginning March 1, 2023, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore has transitioned to all cashless payments at its staffed locations.
ENTRANCE FEES -

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.
CAMPGROUND REGULATIONS -

1. Campers must check-in at the campground office immediately upon arrival.

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; No Show Cancellations will be charged the first night’s camping fee plus a $20 no show fee.

3. Check-in time is 2 PM.

4. Check-out time is 12 noon. All camping equipment and vehicles must be removed from the site at this time.

5. Camping is permitted ONLY in designated areas, on the established tent pads, and parking pads. All vehicles and trailers must remain on roadway surfaces and off vegetation

6. No more than six (6) people will be permitted on a site

7. No more than two vehicles permitted on a site; only one may be a truck camper, camper trailer, boat trailer, or motor-home (RV).

8. Quiet hours are 10 PM – 6 AM. Noise levels must be controlled at all times to avoid disturbing other campers.

9. Generator use is allowed only in campsites 1 – 31. Generators may be used from 9 AM – 6 PM.

10. There is a camping limit of 14 total calendar days from Friday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day per designated campground for all individuals camping within the National Lakeshore. 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, RV, or food storage locker day and night.

12. To prevent and slow the spread of forest pests and diseases, YOU MAY ONLY BURN NPS APPROVED FIREWOOD. Firewood is available for purchase near site 81.

13. 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.

14. It is unlawful to cut, destroy, damage or remove ANY standing tree, shrub, or plant, or possess any green vegetation within the park, including flowers. Do not injure trees with nails or by hanging hot lanterns on or against the trunk.

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

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

17. Pets must be on a six-foot (6 ft / 1.8 M) leash at all times.

DO NOT leave pets unattended and tied to an object. Pet owners are responsible for the cleanup of all excrement. Pets are NOT allowed in group camp areas.

18. Containers must be kept under drains and emptied only at the dump station.

19. The washing of dishes, hands, hair, or brushing teeth, etc. at outdoor water faucets is prohibited. Washing vehicles at the dump station is prohibited.
SAFETY -

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

In case of Emergency, DIAL 911
Violations of Regulations may result in permit suspension, revocation and/or issuance of a citation by law enforcement.
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 in the campground, or visitors may collect dead, down and detatched fire wood within the park boundaries.
Poison ivy is abundant at DH Day, and throughout the Lakeshore.

Tent pads and campsite driveways are kept clear of poison ivy, however there may be poison ivy lining the boundary of the campsite.

Ticks are common throughout the Lakeshore & are often found in tall grass and shrubs.

To learn how to avoid and remove ticks, please visit www.cdc.gov/ticks/avoid/index.html
Beaches.

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

There are no lifeguards on duty at any of the park beaches; swim at your own risk.
NO FIREWORKS ALLOWED.

Natural Features

D.H. Day Campground lies in the middle of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore near the historic village of Glen Haven. The spacious wooded campsites are no more than a 5-minute walk to the Lake Michigan beach. Features include northern hardwood and conifer forests, old farm meadows, wetlands, lakes, streams, bogs, and splendid examples of glacially formed landscapes. The beautiful, perched sand dunes, for which the parked is named, are just a few minutes' drive from the campground.

Nearby Attractions

D.H. Day Campground is within minutes of the lakeside Village of Glen Arbor and the Historic Village of Glen Haven. The Dune Climb and Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive are a short drive to the south. The Alligator Hill Trail is less than a mile away. The Crystal River winds its way to Lake Michigan just a few short miles to the north. The harbor town of Leland is approx. 30 minutes away and is the gateway to both North and South Manitou Island.

Recreation

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore's rustic D.H. Day Campground is beautifully wooded. Campers can swim, canoe, kayak, fish and relax along the shoreline of the campground. The multi-use Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail passes through the campground opening up 20+ miles of biking and hiking. There are canoe and bicycle rentals nearby in the village of Glen Arbor. The historic village of Glen Haven is a short 15-minute walk away. Multiple hiking trails, the Dune Climb, and the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive are just a short drive away. D.H. Day Campground is the perfect launching point for a fun-filled stay at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

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

SLEEPING BEAR DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE ATTN: D.H. DAY CAMPGROUND 9922 FRONT STREET EMPIRE MI 49630

Physical

8010 W. Harbor Hwy. (M-109) Glen Arbor MI 49636

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 231-326-4700 ext 5035

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

From Empire, MI: Drive north on M-22 for 2 miles to the intersection of M-109, turn left onto M-109, continue for another 5.3 miles (going past the Scenic Drive, Dune Climb & entrance to the D.H. Day Group Campground), the entrance to this campground will be on your left.

From Glen Arbor, MI: Drive west on M-109 for 1.4 miles, the entrance to this campground will be on your right.

Physical Address: 8000 W. Harbor Hwy, Glen Arbor, MI 49636

Available Campsites

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