Wooden trail sign showing hiking distances.

Michigan › Benzie County › Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore › Sleeping Bear Dunes Wilderness

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

Special Weather Statement issued May 22 at 1:43PM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI

1:43 PM — 8:00 PM

The combination of dry surface conditions, low afternoon relative humidity values, and gusty east to southeast winds will result in elevated fire danger conditions across northern lower Michigan the remainder of this afternoon. Sustained winds of 7 to 15 mph with gusts of 20 to 30 mph will be seen over northern Michigan this afternoon. Minimum relative humidity values of 20 to 35 percent are expected over much of northern lower Michigan. These conditions could lead to rapid spread of fires. Check burning restrictions and fire danger before burning. For more information on burning restrictions for Michigan, see www.dnr.state.mi.us//.

Special Weather Statement issued May 22 at 11:08AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI

11:08 AM — 8:00 PM

The combination of dry surface conditions, low afternoon relative humidity values, and gusty east to southeast winds will result in elevated fire danger conditions across northern lower Michigan this. Sustained winds of 7 to 15 mph with gusts of 20 to 30 mph will be seen over northern Michigan this afternoon. Minimum relative humidity values of 20 to 35 percent are expected over much of northern lower Michigan. These conditions could lead to rapid spread of fires. Check burning restrictions and fire danger before burning. For more information on burning restrictions for Michigan, see www.dnr.state.mi.us//.

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).