Michigan is known as the Great Lakes State because of its contact with four of the five Great Lakes and over 3,000 miles of shoreline, more than any other state except Alaska. There are hundreds of miles of sand dunes located along Michigan's coastlines, offering numerous opportunities for camping in these idyllic locations, some of which allow access to geographical features found nowhere else in the world.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is over 71,000 acres of land lying along the Lake Michigan shoreline in the state's northern Lower Peninsula, just south and west of Traverse City. The are several small towns within the park's boundaries. This park offers several campgrounds, some which are located near the dunes. D.H. Day Campground lies in the northern part of the park and is located between the towns of Glen Arbor and Glen Haven. It offers rustic campsites for tents and RVs, with ready access to Lake Michigan and the Sleeping Bear Dune Climb, a favorite of park-goers. The dune climb is a vigorous climb up hundreds of feet of sand dune that rewards the intrepid climber with a spectacular view of Lake Michigan and the surrounding shoreline. Numerous trailheads for hiking located near the campground provide miles of scenic beauty. White Pines campground, a backcountry campground accessible only to hikers, sits just behind the dunes in the southern part of the park on Platte Bay. This campground is completely rustic and offers a secluded atmosphere for campers.
South Manitou Island
The Manitou Islands, part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, offer camping experiences seldom found anywhere in the world. These two islands lay approximately seven miles off shore and the National Park Service (NPS) maintains them as wilderness areas, except for small areas on South Manitou near the dock and NPS facilities. South Manitou Island has three campgrounds, all of which sit right on the Lake Michigan shore. Two of these, Popple Campground and Weather Station Campground, have ready access to dunes. The third, Bay Campground, is located on the bay on the island's eastern shore and features a mile-long pebble beach. The island is only 2-1/2 miles long by 1-1/2 miles wide, so the perched sand dunes on the island's western shore are a short walk from any of the camps. These sand dunes feature a system of massive rolling dunes atop a 300-foot bluff with a steep slope. Whole "ghost forests" consisting of stands of centuries-old dead trees and snail shells thousands of years old may be seen here. The island has its own shipwreck, visible from a trail along the south shore, and the Valley of The Giants contains some of the largest trees in the eastern part of the United States. A small inland lake provides anglers with a challenge, as the only access is along foot trails.
North Manitou Island
North Manitou Island is the larger of the two Islands, comprising over 15,000 acres of wilderness area. Formerly populated and used for farming and recreation, the island became part of the National Parks System in the early 1970s. Campgrounds do not exist on North Manitou so visitors must choose their own campsites, which must be more than 300 feet away from any water. However, this leaves limitless possibilities for camping near the water and numerous dune complexes on the island. Many miles of trails criss-cross the island making North Manitou a backpacking heaven. Information on reservations and transportation to and from the islands and all of the National Lakeshore is available through the National Park Service, via the link in the Resource section.
Warren Dunes State Park
Warren Dunes State Park, located in Berrien County, Michigan, near the Indiana border encompasses nearly 2,000 acres and offers over 200 campsites, 36 of them rustic, with vault toilets being the only amenities. Ready access to the park's three miles of shoreline and dunes rising nearly 300 feet above provide many opportunities to enjoy Lake Michigan. Hikers can enjoy many miles of trails. Picnic areas, a concession area and camp store, beach house and wildlife viewing areas contribute to the park's charm.
Other Campgrounds
Michigan's extensive state park system includes parks with campgrounds in nearly every county along the shore in the Lower Peninsula. Nearly all of these are located near the dunes or have dune access. Hundreds of campsites, thousands of miles of hiking and walking trails and hundreds of miles of shoreline and pristine beaches can be found within the park system. Many privately owned campgrounds also offer camping near the dunes all along the Great Lakes' shorelines. A link in the Resource section leads to a county-by-county map of lower Michigan. Click on any county for more information on state parks, state forests, and other camping and trail opportunities.
Member Comments