D.H. Day Group Campground
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
D.H. Day Group Campground is a tent-only facility located in the heart of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, about one mile (1.6 km) north of the Dune Climb, where visitors can walk over miles of sand dunes. This year-round campground has four sites which accommodate groups of 7 to 25 people.
Picnic tables and campfire rings are provided at the campsites. The campground has drinking water during the reservation season, but the water is shut off from October through April. Pets and RVs are not allowed in the group sites. Access to the campground is via a dirt road.
Need to Know
D.H. Day GROUP Campground is approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from D.H. Day Campground. Before setting up camp, ALL CAMPERS MUST STOP AND CHECK-IN at D.H. Day Campground, 8000 W Harbor Highway, Glen Arbor, MI 49636. From the main campground, you will travel on a dirt road to reach the group campground.
Entrance Fees. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore charges an entrance fee for each vehicle (apart from camping fees). You may pay the entrance fee upon arrival at a staffed location. The park also honors Federal interagency passes (e.g., annual, senior, access, 4th grade, Golden Age pass etc.). For more information visit the park's Fees & Passes web page.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore does not honor the Michigan Recreation Passport which only covers entrance fees for Michigan State Parks,
NOTE: Effective March 1, 2023, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore accepts card payment only at staffed locations (no cash or checks).
CAMPING RULES & REGULATIONS
- Campers must check-in at the DH Day (Main) Campground Office prior to setting up camp.
- Check-in time is 2:00 p.m. Campers must notify the campground office at 231-326-4700 ext 5045 if they will not arrive within 24 hours of the check-in time or your reservation will be cancelled. Service fees apply.
- Check-out time is 12:00 noon. All equipment and vehicles must be out of site and parking lot at this time.
- Use your assigned campsites. Camp ONLY at the group site reserved for your use, do not change sites.
- Parking. ALL vehicles must remain in the established parking lot and off vegetation.
- Tent camping only. No RVs or trailers allowed.
- Group size. Group campsites require a minimum of 7 people, but not more than 25 people per site.
- Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Noise levels must be controlled at all times to avoid disturbing other campers. Generators, chainsaws, or other items that cause unreasonable or excessive noise are prohibited.
- Maximum Stay. A maximum of 14 total calendar days per campground from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Camping equipment may not remain on a site for more than 14 days, even if used by a different group.
- Bear Area. Store food, drinks, ice chests/coolers, toiletries, trash/recyclables and all scented items in a sealed vehicle or food storage locker day and night. Never feed wildlife.
- Pets. Pets are prohibited in the group site camping areas.
- Bicycles and other wheeled devices (wheelbarrows, skates, skateboards, wagons, carts, trailers, etc.). Wheeled devices are prohibited on foot trails. Do not create shortcuts. Bicycles may be used on roads or the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail only. Roller blades, skates, skateboards, scooters, and similar devices are prohibited in the campground.
- Water Station. Do not wash dishes, hands, hair , brush teeth, etc. at the outdoor water station. Be sure to return valve to the OFF position after use. Excessive use of the solar water station will exhaust the water supply.
Fires and Firewood. Confine all fires to the fire ring and burn ONLY dead, down and detached wood, or charcoal.
- Do not leave fires unattended. Fires must be completely extinguished with water before leaving a campsite.
- Firewood is available for purchase in the main campground (near campsite 81), or visitors may collect dead, down and detached firewood within the park boundaries.
- Firewood from areas outside of this facility must be from a lakeshore approved firewood vendor--visit the Firewood page on the park website for a list of approved vendors.
Do NOT burn trash or garbage in fire rings. ALL trash & garbage MUST be disposed of in provided trash cans.
Protect Trees. It is unlawful to cut, destroy, damage or remove ANY standing tree, shrub, or plant, or possess any green vegetation within the park, including flowers. Do not injure trees with nails or by hanging hot lanterns on or against the trunk.
Beach Safety. The park has pebble beaches rather than pure sand. Water shoes are recommended. There are no lifeguards on duty at any of the park beaches--swim at your own risk.
Poison Ivy. Poison Ivy is abundant at the campground and throughout the lakeshore. Tent pads and campsite driveways are kept clear of poison ivy. However there may be poison ivy lining the boundary of the campsite. For poison ivy identification, visit the Plants page on the park website an scroll to the "Shrub Zone" section and view the adjacent image.
Problems or Emergencies. Please notifiy a Ranger or Campground Host if you encounter any problems. In case of Emergency, DIAL 911.
Violations. Violations of Camping Rules and Regulations may result in permit suspension, revocation and/or issuance of a citation by law enforcement.
Natural Features
The campground is open with sparse vegetation. Contrary to the park's name, bears are rarely sighted here, yet other wildlife such as birds, deer and wild turkey may be seen.
Although the Lake Michigan shore is long and narrow, it has northern hardwood and conifer forests, abandoned farm meadows, wetlands, lakes, streams, bogs and splendid examples of a glacially formed landscape.
The most prominent features in the park, for which it was named, are the perched sand dunes above Lake Michigan. The overlooks at Sleeping Bear, Empire and Pyramid Point bluffs are about 400 feet above the lake. With 65 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and numerous inland lakes and streams, the park is wonderfully water-oriented.
Nearby Attractions
The historic area of Glen Haven, which features a working blacksmith shop, a 1920s-era general store and Sleeping Bear Point Maritime Museum, is within a short drive of the campground.
Recreation
D.H. Day Group is a hub for water activities. Motorized and non-motorized boating is allowed on the lake, with restrictions, and there is a boat ramp about six miles away by which boaters can access Lake Michigan. Campers can also rent canoes and kayaks in the town of Glen Harbor to float the nearby Crystal River. The beach at Glen Haven, which is popular for beachcombing and swimming, is about one mile away from the campground. There are no lifeguards on duty at the park's beaches.
The facility is also close to the Dune Climb, where visitors can climb on sand dunes over 200 feet high, walk more than 1.5 miles on the dunes to Lake Michigan and catch a great view of Glen Lake.
Changes & Cancellations
Contact Information
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SLEEPING BEAR DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE 9922 FRONT STREET EMPIRE MI 49630
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 231-326-4700
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From Traverse City, Michigan take M-72 west to Empire. Proceed 2.1 miles (3.4 km) north of Empire on M-22. Go 4.1 miles (6.6 km) north on M-109 to West Harwood Road. Take a left on West Harwood Road and continue all the way to the end of the road to D.H. Day Group Campground.
Reservation holders MUST check-in and pay entrance fees at D.H. Day Group Campground 8000 W Harbor Highway, Glen Arbor, MI 49636
Available Campsites
- Site G001, Loop D.H. DAY Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site G004, Loop D.H. DAY Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site G003, Loop D.H. DAY Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site G002, Loop D.H. DAY Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
