South Manitou Group Campground

About

South Manitou Group Campground is a backcountry tent-only facility on South Manitou Island within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on Lake Michigan. The campground consists of six reservable group sites split between two locations: Bay Campground, situated less than a mile from the ferry dock with easy beach access, and Weather Station Campground, perched on the bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan about 1.3 miles from the dock. Each group site accommodates 9-20 campers with a maximum of 10 tents per site. The island features unique natural attractions including old-growth white cedar forests over 500 years old, distinctive sand dune formations, and 10 miles of pebble beaches. Visitors can hike the island perimeter, tour the South Manitou Island Lighthouse during summer months, and view the 1960 shipwreck of the Francisco Morazan. Both campgrounds provide beach access for swimming and beachcombing. Facilities are primitive: wooden pit toilets are available (bring your own toilet paper), and potable water is only available in the village area. Each group site has one communal fire pit, and campers may collect firewood on the island but cannot transport wood from the mainland. Food and scented items must be hung to prevent wildlife access. Camping is limited to 14 calendar days per site from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Directions

From Traverse City, Michigan, take M-22 to Sutton's Bay. Go west on M-204 from Sutton's Bay towards Leland. Turn north at the junction of M-22 and M-204 to Leland. Normally, take the Manitou Island Transit ferry from Leland to South Manitou Island (1.5 hours). In 2026, only charter boats with Commercial Use Authorization can access the island due to dock construction.