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D.H. Day Campground
NPSNational Park Service — Glen Arbor · Michigan · Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
| Agency | NPSNational Park Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore |
| Location | Glen Arbor · Michigan · Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore · 44.89728, -86.02056 · Map |
| Sites | 82 public sites counted from the federal listing — 56 rv nonelectric; 13 walk to; 12 tent only nonelectric; 1 standard nonelectric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 5 of 82 sites (up to 30 amp where reported) Water hookups at 4 of 82 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 82 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 82 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Longest reported site fits 35 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 26 sites · 30 ft: 5 sites · 35 ft: 2 sites · 40 ft: 0 sites |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore charges a variety of entrance fees, depending on how a visitor arrives at the park. All visitors must have an entrance pass (separate from camping fees). The park also honors Federal Recreational Lands America the Beautiful passes (e.g., Resident Annual, Non-Resident Annual, Senior, Access, Military, 4th Grade, Golden Age). For more information visit the park's Fees & Passes web page. Current U.S. Citizen/Resident Vehicle Fees: $25 Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore entrance fee (1-7 days). $45 Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore annual pass (if camping more than 7 days). Current Non - U.S Citizen/Resident Vehicle Fees: $25 Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore entrance fee (1-7 days). $250 America the Beautiful Non-Resident annual pass. The Michigan Recreation Passport is not valid for entry at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, which is a federally managed site. NOTE: Effective March 1, 2023, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore accepts card payment only at staffed locations (no cash or checks). |
| Check-in / out | In 02:00 PM · Out 12:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 87 sites, as reported |
| Accessible sites | 1 marked accessible in the listing |
| Phone | 231-326-4700 ext 5035 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-10-19.
From the official listing
Overview D.H. Day Campground is located in the northern district of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, on the lower peninsula of Michigan.
This rustic campground is one of the most popular in Northern Michigan and is open (weather permitting) from April 27 through the 4th Sunday in November. Reservations are required May 15 through October 15. Campsites are within walking distance of the Lake Michigan shoreline and a short drive to many popular features in the park. Summer temperatures range from the upper 70s to 90 degrees F (25° to 32° C) during the day, and from the 50s to 70 degrees F (10° to 25° C) at night.
Recreation Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore's rustic D.H. Day Campground is beautifully wooded.
Campers can swim, canoe, kayak, fish and relax along the shoreline of the campground.
The multi-use Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail passes through the campground opening up 20+ miles (32 km) of biking and hiking.
There are canoe and bicycle rentals nearby in the village of Glen Arbor. The historic village of Glen Haven is a short 15-minute walk away.
Multiple hiking trails, the Dune Climb, and the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive are just a short drive away.
D.H. Day Campground is the perfect launching point for a fun-filled stay at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Facilities
With 81 beautifully wooded campsites, shared water spigots, and vault toilets, D.H. Day provides a more rustic camping experience. Free hot showers are available at Platte River Campground, located 17 miles (27 km) south along highway M-22. Each campsite has a parking area, large picnic table, fire ring and tent pad. Firewood is also sold in the campgound at a self-pay station.
Natural Features D.H. Day Campground lies in the middle of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore near the historic village of Glen Haven. The spacious wooded campsites are no more than a 5-minute walk to the Lake Michigan beach. Features include northern hardwood and conifer forests, old farm meadows, wetlands, lakes, streams, bogs, and splendid examples of glacially formed landscapes. The beautiful, perched sand dunes, for which the parked is named, are just a few minutes' drive from the campground.
Nearby Attractions To the East and North:
1.5 miles - Village of Glen Arbor - the Crystal River winds through on its way to Lake Michigan
5.7 miles - Port Onieda Historic District can be found 5.7 miles to the North.
20 miles - The Harbor Town of Leland serves as the gateway to both North and South Manitou Islands .
To the West and South:
0.7 miles - Alligator Hill Trail
0.8 miles - Historic Village of Glen Haven & the General Store bookstore (0.8 miles), the Maritime Museum (1.1 miles), and the Sleeping Bear Point Trail (1.4 miles).
2.0 miles - The Dune Climb and Dune Center bookstore .
4.2 miles - Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, the location of the Lake Michigan Overlook
7.5 miles - Village of Empire
Contact Info For local information, please call (231) 326-4700 or call (877) 444-6777 for general information. Charges & Cancellations
Directions, from the listing
From Empire, MI: Drive north on M-22 for 2 miles (3.2 km) to the intersection of M-109, turn left onto M-109, continue for another 5.3 miles (8.5 km) past the Scenic Drive, Dune Climb & entrance to the D.H. Day Group Campground. The entrance to this campground will be on your left.
From Glen Arbor, MI: Drive west on M-109 for 1.4 miles (2.2 km), the entrance to this campground will be on your right.
Physical Address: 8000 W. Harbor Hwy, Glen Arbor, MI 49636
Nearest federal campgrounds
1 mi straight-line · EMPIRE MichiganNPSNational Park ServiceSouth Manitou Group Campground
9 mi straight-line · EMPIRE MichiganNPSNational Park ServicePopple Campground - South Manitou Island
11 mi straight-line · Empire MichiganNPSNational Park ServiceWhite Pine Backcountry Campground Permits
11 mi straight-line · EMPIRE MichiganNPSNational Park ServicePlatte River Campground
14 mi straight-line · Honor Michigan
Trip Card — D.H. Day Campground
Glen Arbor · Michigan · Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
| Agency | NPS · National Park Service |
|---|---|
| Location | Glen Arbor · Michigan · Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore |
| Fees | Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore charges a variety of entrance fees, depending on how a visitor arrives at the park. All visitors must have an entrance pass (separate from ca… |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | Electric at 5 |
| Max RV | Up to 35 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 82 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/259242 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.