White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits

Open — Open year-round for backcountry camping with reservations available up to 7 days in advance. Campground may close temporarily during prescribed burns in spring (March-May) or autumn (September-November) with short notice refunds issued. Winter camping available but expect snow on the ground from late November through March.

Notify on Availability Reserve

Winter Storm Warning issued December 29 at 10:21PM EST until December 30 at 1:00AM EST by NWS Gaylord MI

December 29th, 10:21 PM — 1:00 AM

* WHAT...Snow showers. Additional snow accumulations up to one inch. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph, producing considerable amounts of blowing and drifting snow. * WHERE...A portion of Northern Lower Michigan. * WHEN...Until 1 AM EST Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will result in blowing and drifting snow, making travel dangerous and potentially life-threatening. Persons should consider delaying all travel. Motorists should use extreme caution if travel is absolutely necessary.

From Recreation.gov

White Pine Backcountry Campground falls within the park's Platte Plains prescribed fire unit. The prescribed fire plan authorizes prescribed burns to be conducted during the spring months of March, April, or May and during the autumn months of September, October, or November. During those months, prescribed fires may be ignited any time weather conditions are favorable necessitating a campground closure. For this reason, reservations may be cancelled, and refunds issued with little notice.

About

White Pine Backcountry Campground offers a true wilderness experience within the 30,000-acre Sleeping Bear Dunes Wilderness in the southern district of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. This primitive campground features 6 campsites arranged around 2 shared fire rings, with a vault toilet and 2 shared bear-resistant food storage lockers. Located approximately 2 miles from the Trail's End Road trailhead along the Platte Plains hiking trail system, the campground sits about a half mile from the Lake Michigan shoreline. The campground has no water source, so visitors must pack in all necessary water or treat water from Lake Michigan before drinking. The site provides access to more than 25 miles of the Platte Plains trail system, which winds through northern hardwood and conifer forests, abandoned farm meadows, wetlands, and glacially formed landscapes. The beaches of Lake Michigan are a short walk from camp, and the area features the park's iconic perched sand dunes rising about 400 feet above the lake at nearby overlooks. Summer temperatures range from the upper 70s to 90 degrees F during the day with lows in the 50s to 70s F at night. Winters are cold with daytime highs from 20 to 30 degrees F and lows in the 10s and 20s F. Snow typically covers the ground from late November through March. Reservations are made through Recreation.gov at $13 per night, available up to 7 days in advance. A National Park Service entrance pass is also required for each vehicle.

Directions

From Traverse City, take M-72 west to Empire, turn south on M-22. Drive 6 miles to Trails End Road and turn right. Drive 1 mile to the trailhead. White Pine Campground is 2 miles from the trailhead via the Platte Plains hiking trail. Alternative trailheads: Platte Plains Ski Trail Parking (6.5 miles south on M-22) or Peterson Road (9.5 miles south on M-22, then 1.5 miles to trailhead unloading zone).