Firewood

roasting marshmallows
Roasting the perfect marshmallow.

Campfires--we love them: sitting around a crackling fire, roasting a marshmallow to perfection, dodging smoke in your eyes, watching mesmerized as the flames dance. Unfortunately, bringing firewood into the park – and all the insects and diseases that may be hiding on it – puts our forests at risk. Bringing firewood into the park from anywhere else can rapidly spread destructive pests and diseases, as it did the emerald ash borer.

The Lakeshore has a firewood policy that will allows campers the warmth of their fires and helps prevent and slow the spread of forest pests and diseases, such as hemlock woolly adelgid, beech bark disease, Asian longhorn beetle, and oak wilt.

The firewood policy states that campers may only use firewood acquired from vendors approved by the Lakeshore (see below) and may not bring firewood from home or anywhere else. The Lakeshore requests everyone’s help in protecting our forests.

 
Emerald Ash Borer Tunnels
Tunnels created by the emerald ash borer.

If you brought firewood into the Lakeshore

If you brought firewood into the park, let a park ranger know. The ranger will tell you about voluntary actions you can take to help protect our forests.

  • Do NOT unload firewood.
  • DO place firewood directly from your vehicle into a fire (this prevents the spread of insects along the ground).
  • DO burn all of your wood completely.

APPROVED FIREWOOD VENDORS


The following local firewood vendors, including the one in the park's campgrounds, are selling firewood that has either been treated for pests and disease or is a type of tree that does not pose a risk. This firewood will be marked as approved.

Firewood bundles are available in the campgrounds for $10 cash, credit, or PayPal.
The firewood sheds are located in Platte River Campground between loop 2 and 3 and at D. H. Day Campground near site 81.

Anderson's IGA Market

6545 Western Ave. (M-22/M-109)
Glen Arbor, MI 49636
231-334-3149

Honor Family Market

10625 Main St (M-31)
Honor, MI 49640
231-325-3360

Northwoods Hardware

6053 S. Glen Lake Road (M-22)
Glen Arbor, MI 49636
231-334-3000

Riverside Canoe Trips

5042 N. Scenic Hwy (M-22)
Honor, MI 49640
231-325-5622

2-4-10

9987 W. Friend St.
Empire, MI 49630
313-218-0224

*Manufactured logs are also allowed for use in campfires



 

What can you do to help protect the forest of Sleeping Bear Dunes?

  • Purchase firewood from approved vendors when burning firewood in the Lakeshore.
  • Don't move firewood. As tempting as it is to bring firewood with you, it can be infested with an insect or disease that may not be visible to the naked eye.
  • Be aware of Federal, State and Local regulations such as quarantines.
  • Don't take firewood home with you. Burn it all or give it to other campers to burn on site.

If you would like to become an approved firewood vendor for Sleeping Bear Dunes, request to have a firewood vendor application emailed to you.

Last updated: August 15, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

9922 Front Street
Empire, MI 49630

Phone:

231 326-4700

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