Platte River Campground is located within the Platte River District of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, an area administered by the National Park Service. Platte River Campground is open year-round for your camping enjoyment.
ENTRANCE FEE: A park pass is required for all vehicles using the campground, including those who are visiting campers. The pass must be displayed in the vehicle dashboard.
SAFETY: Please notify a ranger or campground host if you encounter any problems. In case of emergency, DIAL 911.
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Basic Information
Amenities
Fire/Stove Policy
Toilet Types
Shower Types
Weather
Email Address
Phone number (Voice)
Mailing Address
Physical Address
Directions
Additional Information
Cell Phone Additional Information
Internet Additional Information
Regulations
Image Gallery
Accessibility Information
Platte River Campground
Kerry Kelly 2005
Amenities
Potable water and a sanitation (dump) station is available at the entrance. Water spigots are also located throughout the campground with several serving each loop. Camp sinks are located at the restrooms for washing dishes, hands, etc. Did we forget to mention that there are hot showers at the Platte River Campground?
The campground is located 10 miles south of Empire on Lake Michigan Road off M-22 at 5685 Lake Michigan Rd, Honor, MI 49640.
Permit Conditions
Campers must check-in at the campground office immediately upon arrival.
Campers must notify the campground at 231-326-4700 ext. 5029 if they will not arrive within 24 hours of the check-in time or their reservation will be cancelled; they will be charged the first night’s camping fee plus a $20 no show fee.
Check-in time is 2 pm. Check-out time is noon.
Camping is permitted only in designated areas, on the established tent pads, and paved parking pads. All vehicles, wheeled camping units, and trailers must remain on pavement and off gravel or vegetation.
No more than six (6) people and only one wheeled camping unit will be permitted on each site.
Quiet hours are 10 pm – 6 am. Noise levels must be controlled at all times.
Generator use is prohibited at Platte River Campground.
Active Bear Area: Store food, drinks, ice chests/coolers (empty or full), toiletries, trash/recyclables, food prep tools and all scented items in a sealed, hard sided vehicle or food storage locker day and night. Never feed wildlife.
To prevent and slow the spread of forest pests and diseases, you may only burn NPS approved firewood. Firewood may be purchased between the entrances of Loops 2 and 3.
Confine all fires to the fire ring and burn only dead, down and detached wood, manufactured logs, or charcoal. Fires must be completely extinguished with water. Do not leave fires unattended. Do not burn trash.
The use of burning torches, commonly referred to as tiki or bug torches, is prohibited.
It is unlawful to cut, destroy, or damage 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.
Wheeled devices, including bicycles, wheelbarrows, wagons, and trailers are prohibited on foot trails. These items are also prohibited in walk-in and group campsites.
Pets must be on a six-foot leash under restraint or caged at all times. Do not leave pets unattended. Pet owners are responsible for all cleanup. Pets are prohibited in group camp areas.
Containers must be kept under drains and emptied only at the dump station.
The washing of dishes, hands, hair, or brushing teeth, etc. at outdoor water faucets is prohibited. Washing vehicles at the dump station is prohibited.
Camping is limited to 14 total days per campground between Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day.
Unless registered for a group or walk-in site, parking in those areas is prohibited. Overflow parking is available at Platte River Picnic Area located at Lake Michigan Rd and M-22.
Violation of terms may result in permit suspension, revocation, and/or citation by law enforcement.
Platte River Campground Map
Alternative text for this map is in the text box below.
Alt Text – Platte River Campground Map (Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore)
This is a detailed campground map of the Platte River Campground at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, oriented with north at the top. The map is divided into four main camping loops (Loops 1–4), a Group Camp Area, and a Walk-In Camp Area. All interior roads are one-way and have a posted 10 MPH speed limit. A map key in the lower right identifies symbols for campground amenities and services.
Entrance and Central Area:
The main entrance is from the east side of the map, via Lake Michigan Road, which runs north–south parallel to the Platte River (shown as a wide curving river on the far right).
Just inside the entrance is a large marker labeled “You Are Here.”
Nearby facilities include a Ranger Station, Amphitheater, showers, restrooms, drinking water, trash disposal, and a campground host.
The campground office is just south of the entrance circle, with contact information and emergency numbers printed nearby.
Firewood sales are available near the center.
Loop 1 (Electric Sites):
Located in the northeast quadrant, directly west of North Scenic Highway (M-22).
Campsites numbered 101–144, arranged in multiple small curving one-way loops.
Key facilities include restrooms, drinking water stations, trash disposal, showers, accessible campsites, and a campground host.
A dotted brown walking trail connects Loop 1 to the other campground areas.
Loop 2 (Electric Sites):
Located northwest of Loop 1 and northeast of Loop 3.
Sites 201–220 arranged along two primary loops with a central service area.
Facilities include restrooms, showers, trash disposal, drinking water, and accessible sites.
Several picnic areas and trail connections to the Railroad Grade Trail run nearby.
Loop 3 (Electric Sites):
Located in the central-west part of the map, directly south of Loop 2.
Sites 301–322 are arranged in a roughly circular layout with a mix of internal and edge sites.
Key services include trash, water, and a trail connection to the Railroad Grade Trail.
Firewood sales and restrooms are nearby.
Loop 4 (Non-Electric Sites):
Located in the far west section of the campground, accessed by a one-way loop road.
Sites numbered 401–451, distributed along three loops.
Marked as a non-electric zone.
Facilities include restrooms, trash disposal, firewood sales, and drinking water.
A dotted trail runs parallel to Peterson Road (which borders the map’s upper left).
Walk-In Camp Area:
Located in the southwest section, south of Loop 4.
Divided into small loops with tent-only sites labeled in clusters:
A sites: A-1 to A-9
B sites: B-1 to B-8
C sites: C-1 to C-4
These sites are accessible only by foot along dotted trails.
Restrooms, drinking water, and trash disposal are located near site A-6.
Group Camp Area:
Located southeast of the main campground loops, accessed via a small loop off the main road.
Six designated group sites: G-1 to G-6.
Nearby facilities include restrooms, drinking water, trash disposal, and a trail connecting to the amphitheater.
Firewood sales and a ranger station are located just to the northwest.
Additional Features:
Platte River, running along the right (east) side of the map, includes:
A canoe launch near the northeast entrance from Lake Michigan Road.
A fish cleaning station near the river access.
A trail called the Railroad Grade Trail is marked by a dotted brown line running west–east across the top of the map, connecting to Peterson Road and several camping loops.
Dotted trails and walking paths connect loops and facilities throughout the campground.
