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.
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
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.
Nearby Campgrounds
- Popple Campground - South Manitou Island 8.8mi
- South Manitou Group Campground 9.8mi
- Bay Campground - South Manitou Island 9.7mi
- Weather Station Campground - South Manitou Island 11mi
- D.h. Day Campground 16mi
- D. H. Day Campground Group Campground 16mi
- D.h. Day Group Campground 17mi
- White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits 27mi
- Leelanau State Park Campground 22mi
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | No |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $10 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| sleepingbearinfo@nps.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (231) 326-4700 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Photos
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