Michigan / Leelanau County / Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore / Manitou Passage State Underwater Preserve / Sleeping Bear Dunes Wilderness

Bay Campground - South Manitou Island

Open — Open year-round for camping. Ferry service from Leland operates late May through mid-September; off-season access requires private boat only. No services available in winter. Water only available in Village area year-round and requires filtration.

About

Bay Campground sits on South Manitou Island within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, offering a true backcountry camping experience in Lake Michigan. As the closest campground to the ferry dock at just half a mile away, it provides convenient access while maintaining a wilderness atmosphere. The campground features 25 individual first-come first-served sites and 3 reservable group sites nestled among younger forests on sandy soils. The island itself is a remarkable natural feature, consisting of a limestone ridge covered by glacial debris, unique sand dune formations, 10 miles of pebble beaches, and old growth white cedar groves over 500 years old. Campers can explore the island's perimeter trails, visit the South Manitou Island Lighthouse during summer months, view the 1960 Francisco Morazan shipwreck, and access swimming beaches. Wildlife includes abundant chipmunks that require proper food storage in hard containers hung from trees. Access to the island requires either the Manitou Island Transit ferry from Leland (operating late May through mid-September) or private boat. All camping gear must be backpacked from the dock as no wheeled vehicles are permitted. Water is only available in the Village area and must be filtered or treated before use. The campground provides vault toilets and fire rings for communal use with dead and down wood. This is a pack-in, pack-out facility with no trash service.

Directions

From Traverse City, take M-22 to Suttons Bay. Go west on M-204 towards Leland. Turn north at the M-22 and M-204 junction to Leland. Take the Manitou Island Transit ferry from Leland to South Manitou Island. Backpack 0.5 miles from the dock to Bay Campground.

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