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

Weather Station Campground - South Manitou Island

Open — Open year-round for camping. Ferry service from Leland operates seasonally from late May through early September. During off-season, island access is by private boat only with no services available. Camping permits and park passes required.

About

Weather Station Campground is a primitive backcountry camping area located on the south side of South Manitou Island within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The campground sits on forested bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan, offering inspiring views of the Manitou Passage and Sleeping Bear Dunes across the water. The 20 individual campsites are well-secluded from each other within the wooded setting, providing a sense of solitude and connection with nature. Three additional group sites accommodate larger parties of 7-20 people. Reaching Weather Station Campground is an adventure in itself. The island is accessible only by passenger ferry from Leland, Michigan (seasonal service typically May through September) or by private boat year-round. From the dock, hikers follow a wooded trail approximately 1.3 miles past the historic South Manitou Island Lighthouse to reach the campground. This is true backcountry camping with minimal amenities. There is no potable water available at the campground, so all visitors must bring water filtration or purification equipment to treat water from natural sources. Vault toilets are provided year-round. Each site includes a fire pit, and campers may use down and dead wood for fires when conditions permit. All trash must be packed out. RVs, trailers, and wheeled vehicles are prohibited on the island trails and in the campground.

Directions

From Traverse City, 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. Take the passenger ferry from Leland to South Manitou Island (seasonal service, typically late May through early September). From the dock, follow the wooded trail approximately 1.3 miles past the lighthouse to the campground. Island is also accessible by private boat year-round.

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