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

Village Campground - North Manitou Island

Closed — Closed for the 2025 season due to dock construction. The Village Campground dock and village are closed through 2025, with ferry service suspended. The island remains open for camping via private boat access only. Expected to reopen for the 2026 season, typically in April or May. Backcountry camping permits and park passes required.

About

Village Campground is a small, rustic camping area located on North Manitou Island within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. This remote island campground contains eight first-come, first-served designated campsites with two communal fire rings and one vault toilet. Each site is limited to two tents and four people. The campground serves as a base camp for exploring the island's 15,000 acres of wilderness, which emphasize solitude, self-reliance, and a sense of exploration. The island features abandoned orchards, historic farmhouses, and miles of hiking trails through varied terrain. Beyond the Village Campground, North Manitou Island allows open backcountry camping throughout the wilderness areas, giving adventurous campers the freedom to choose their own sites. No water is available on the island, so campers must bring all necessary supplies. The island is accessible only by boat, requiring either private watercraft or ferry service from Leland.

Directions

From Traverse City, take M-22 to Suttons Bay. Go west on M-204 towards Leland. Turn north at the junction of M-22 and M-204 to Leland. Ferry service from Leland is suspended for 2025; access is by private boat only.

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