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Platte River Campground is located in the southern district of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, on the lower peninsula of Michigan. This year-round facility is one of the most popular campgrounds in the park. It is within walking distance of the Platte River and a short walk or drive away from the Lake Michigan shore. Hikers can access many of the areas day use and backpacking trails just north of the campground. Summer temperatures range from the upper 70s to 90s during the day and 50s to 70s at night. Winters are cold, with daytime highs in the 20s to 30s and lows in the 10s and 20s; snow is usually on the ground from late November through March. Natural Features: The campground lies in a wooded area within walking distance of the Platte River and less than two miles away from the beaches of Lake Michigan. Although the lakeshore is long and narrow, it has northern hardwood and conifer forests, abandoned farm meadows, wetlands, lakes, streams, bogs and splendid examples of a glacially formed landscape. The most prominent features in the park, and those for which it is named, are the perched sand dunes above Lake Michigan. The overlooks at Sleeping Bear, Empire and Pyramid Point bluffs are about 400 feet above the lake. With 65 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and numerous inland lakes and streams, the park is wonderfully water-oriented. Recreation: Campers can hike, canoe, kayak and fish on the river or the lake. There are canoe rentals at nearby Platte River Point, where the river meets the lake (the point also has beach access for those wishing to drive there). The Platte Plains trail system boasts more than 25 miles of trails, some of which can be accessed a short walk away from the campground. Trails to the primitive White Pine backcountry campground are also close by. Facilities: This facility is well-maintained, well-organized and offers a wide variety of sites, including back-in and pull-through sites with electric hookups for RVs, tent-only sites, walk-in sites, group sites (hike-in, tent-only) and a nearby backcountry campground. Each site has a campfire ring and picnic table. Each loop has restrooms with flush toilets and sinks. Hot showers are also available. The group sites allow no more than 25 people per site; pets and RVs are not permitted in them. ACTIVITIES Picnicking: Picnic Tables Visitor Center: Ranger Station Day Use Area: Amphitheater
From the east (Traverse City): Take State Highway M-72 west to Empire. Turn south on State Highway M-22. Proceed 10 miles and turn right on Lake Michigan Road. Follow the signs to Platte River Campground.From the south (US-31/M-115): At the junction of U.S. Route 31 and M-115, continue north for seven miles. Turn left on Platte Road. Proceed five miles and turn right on M-22. Proceed one mile and turn left on Lake Michigan Road. Follow the signs to Platte River Campground.
This was an okay campground. The space in between camp sites was limited, so you're always able to hear / see your neighbors. This site was also a very steep price, at over 50$ for a single tent site.
If you like solitude and rugged campsites, this is not for you. If you don't mind neighbors and appreciate amenities like bathrooms, water, etc. then you would enjoy this campground.
The walk in sites were closed for the season when I was there (Oct), which was a bummer.
Location was the greatest feature, but the walk to the beach is about a mile and you can actually drive to a nearby beach access quicker than walking.
I seriously think this was one of the nicest campsites we ever had! Loop 4, site 416. We parked in the driveway and then walked up a little path to our large tent area, complete with picnic table and fire pit. It gets very dark here at night, so be prepared! So comfortable sleeping with cool nights and sunny, warm days.
Absolute MUST to camp at if you’re in Michigan. A small trail in the campground leads right to Lake Michigan. The campground is very beautiful and full of trees and forest. Each site feels very private and comes with a fire pit. The sites and camp ground are all very well kept. I really enjoyed camping here and plan to go back within the next few weeks!
This was the best campground I have ever stayed at! I was at site 306! Very clean and quiet! The camping pads for my tent were awesome! I had a 10 person tent set up and still had room to actually have a fire in the fire pit and not burn my tent down! Even had a clothesline with a bag of clothespins! I think someone put it up and just left it for the next person to use! Bathrooms were extremely clean and so were the showers! They had two showers for our loop and I never had to wait for a shower! Even had a room to wash your dishes! We were warned about bears but didn’t see any at the campground! Everyone was very friendly around the campground! I would definitely recommend staying here and hopefully I will be returning next year!
Beautiful campground. Big campsites. The walk in sites are huge and really private. We had a doe with a fawn grazing in our site every day. Also there's a 1/2 mile trial to a beautiful, uncrowded Lake Michigan Beach.
