Bay Campground - South Manitou Island

About

Bay Campground sits on South Manitou Island within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, a remote wilderness destination accessible only by a 1.5-hour ferry ride from Leland, Michigan, or by private boat. As the closest campground to the island dock, Bay offers convenient access while maintaining a backcountry character. The campground features 25 individual tent sites available first-come, first-served and 3 group sites that accommodate 9-20 people with a maximum of 10 tents per site. The island experience is primitive by design. Vault toilets are available year-round, but there is no potable water at the campground itself. Campers must bring water filtration equipment or haul water from the village area when services are operational. Several shared community fire rings are provided for campfires, and campers may collect dead and down wood on the island. Transporting firewood to the island is prohibited due to emerald ash borer quarantine regulations. All gear must be backpacked from the ferry dock. Food must be stored in hard containers or suspended to prevent wildlife access. Camping is limited to 14 calendar days per campground from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. The island has no stores, food service, or medical facilities, and emergency response times can range from hours to days.

Directions

From Traverse City, take M-22 north to Suttons Bay, then west on M-204 toward Leland. At the junction of M-22 and M-204, turn north to Leland. The Manitou Island Transit ferry departs from Fishtown Dock in Leland for the 1.5-hour trip to South Manitou Island. The campground is less than one mile from the island dock.