Platte River Campground
Open — Open year-round. Reservations required May 1 through October 31. From November 1 through April 30, only Loop 2 sites are open on a first-come, first-served basis.
From Recreation.gov
**RV/TRAILER RENTALS:** You can transport a rented camping unit in and out of the park; however, if a rental is being delivered and set up for you at the campground, you must rent from an individual/company with a commercial use authorization (CUA) permitting them to conduct business activities within the National Lakeshore.
From Recreation.gov
**The reservation booking window has been extended through October 31.** * Reservations are required May 1 through October 31. * Outside the reservation booking window (November 1 through April 30) only sites in Loop 2 will remain open. They will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. * All campers in areas outside Loop 2 must depart by noon check-out November 1.
From Recreation.gov
The Ironman Michigan triathlon will be taking place **Sunday, September 20, 2026.** The bike course takes place on M-22 and will have significant impact on local traffic. M-22 will be closed from 8:30 am to approximately 2 pm between the City of Frankfort and Esch Road. * **To avoid road closures, arriving campers should not arrive before the scheduled check-in time of 2 pm.** * **To avoid road closures, departing campers should exit by 8:30 am via Deadstream Road, Platte Road, or M-22 northbound. Southbound M-22 will be closed.**
Winter Storm Warning issued January 19 at 1:50AM EST until January 20 at 7:00AM EST by NWS Gaylord MI
* WHAT...Heavy snow. Additional snow accumulations between 5 and 9 inches with locally higher amounts. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph and will lead to blowing and drifting snow. * WHERE...A portion of Northern Lower Michigan. * WHEN...Until 7 AM EST Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Whiteout conditions are expected and will make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening. Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning and evening commutes.
About
Platte River Campground is one of the most popular campgrounds in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, located on Michigan's lower peninsula. This year-round facility sits in a wooded area within walking distance of the Platte River and less than two miles from the beaches of Lake Michigan. The campground offers diverse camping options including back-in and pull-through sites with electric hookups, non-electric sites, walk-in tent sites, and group hike-in sites accommodating up to 25 people. The campground provides modern amenities including flush toilets, vault toilets, and hot showers year-round. Each site features a fire ring and picnic table. The Platte Plains trail system boasts more than 25 miles of trails accessible from the campground, with routes leading to the primitive White Pine backcountry campground. Canoe and kayak rentals are available at nearby Platte River Point, where the river meets Lake Michigan. The area offers excellent fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing opportunities within the lakeshore's 65 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and diverse ecosystems including northern hardwood forests, wetlands, and perched sand dunes.
Directions
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 signs to the campground. From the south (US-31/M-115): At the junction of US-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 signs to the campground.
Nearby Campgrounds
- White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits 2.3mi
- D.h. Day Group Campground 13mi
- D. H. Day Campground Group Campground 14mi
- D.h. Day Campground 14mi
- Weather Station Campground - South Manitou Island 20mi
- South Manitou Group Campground 21mi
- Bay Campground - South Manitou Island 21mi
- Popple Campground - South Manitou Island 23mi
- Interlochen State Park Campground 18mi
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | Yes |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | Yes |
| Electric Hookups | Yes |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | Yes |
| Price | $22 - $50 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 40ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 35ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | Yes |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (231) 326-4700 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Availability
Photos
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