Michigan's nickname, "The Great Lakes State," comes from its proximity to four of the five Great Lakes. This jewel of the Midwest is second only to Alaska, with more than 3,000 miles of coastline. Numerous opportunities are available for camping in or near the majestic dunes lining the shoreline, particularly along the west coast of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Several state and national parks line the Lake Michigan shore, with more than 50 miles of coastline combined.
Leelanau State Park
Leelanau State Park is at the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula, which forms the western boundary of Grand Traverse Bay in northern Lower Michigan. This gem covers more than 1,300 acres and has more than two miles of Lake Michigan coastline. The park offers 52 rustic campsites with vault toilets and three rustic cabins. The campground is on the shore at Lighthouse Point, the northern tip of the peninsula. The gift shop and Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum are nearby. More than eight miles of trails are available, along with pebble beaches, where the sharp-eyed may find specimens of Michigan's state stone, the petoskey stone. Playgrounds, picnic areas and wildlife viewing areas are popular, along with a swimming beach.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
A short distance south of Leelanau State Park is the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, which encompasses more than 70,000 acres, traverses two counties and offers more than 35 miles of coast. Several campgrounds are near the Lake Michigan shore and its dune complexes. Rustic backcountry camping is available at three campgrounds favored by backpackers, and other campgrounds offer a range of amenities. D.H. Day campground is very rustic but has road access for vehicles. Platte River Campground has improved sites for RVs, with water and electricity, as well as rustic tent sites. Large group sites are available at several spots in the park. The park is known for the Dune Climb, and no visit is complete without climbing to the top and enjoying the views of Glen Lake, Lake Michigan and the surrounding area.
North Manitou Island
Seven miles offshore from the town of Leland, and just north of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, North Manitou Island and its sister, South Manitou, are part of the Sleeping Bear complex. North Manitou is a backpacker's dream, with more than 15,000 acres of area managed as a wilderness by the National Park Service. The Village Campground, on the site of a long-deserted village, is the only designated campground on the island. It has eight sites and a fire ring. The rest of the island is open to backcountry camping; campers may choose any site as long as it is more than 300 feet from Lake Michigan, any other body of water, buildings or other campsites. Many miles of trails provide access to the island, including sand and pebble beaches, sand dunes, meadows and woods. Access to North and South Manitou islands is by ferries run by Manitou Island Transit.
South Manitou Island
South Manitou Island packs a wealth of memorable experiences into 2,500 acres. Three campgrounds, all accessible only by foot, offer rustic backcountry camping. All three campgrounds are on the Lake Michigan shore, two with easy access to the dunes. Only Bay Campground, along a mile-long pebble beach on the island's east shore, requires more than a short walk to the dunes. The island has many miles of hiking trails. The perched dunes on the western shore are 300 feet high atop a high bluff and are a type of dune that can be found nowhere else in the world. A shipwreck about 100 yards off the island's south shore is visible from the trail. The Valley of the Giants is a small vale containing many large trees, some of which are among the largest of their species in the United States. The book "Exploring North Manitou, South Manitou, High and Garden Islands of the Lake Michigan Archipelago," by Richard Ruchoft, is a must for anyone considering a visit to either island.
Warren Dunes State Park
Warren Dunes State Park is a 1,300-acre park in Berrien County, in the extreme southwest corner of the state. This park has 36 rustic sites and 182 improved sites, with water, electricity and access to modern bathrooms. Three hundred-foot dunes line the park's three miles of Lake Michigan shore. Several trails allow hikers to explore the park. Park amenities include picnic shelters, a swimming beach, a beach house, camp store/concession stand and a playground. Wildlife viewing and metal detecting are popular pastimes for visitors.
Other Campgrounds
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources maintains parks in nearly every county along Michigan's extensive coastline.
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