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D.H. Day Group Campground
NPSNational Park Service — EMPIRE · Michigan · Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
| Agency | NPSNational Park Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore |
| Location | EMPIRE · Michigan · Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore · 44.89167, -86.04278 · Map |
| Sites | 4 public sites counted from the federal listing — 4 group tent only area 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 0 of 4 sites Water hookups at 0 of 4 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 4 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 4 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 | Not reported in the federal data |
| 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 an entrance fee for each vehicle (apart from camping fees). You may pay the entrance fee upon arrival at a staffed location or purchase in advance. The park also honors America the Beautiful-the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands passes* (also known as an interagency pass, e.g., Senior, 4th Grade, Military, etc.), For more information visit the park's Fees & Passes web page. NOTE: Effective March 1, 2023, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore only accepts card payment (no cash or checks). *Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore does not honor the Michigan Recreation Passport which only covers entrance fees for Michigan State Parks. |
| Check-in / out | In 2:00 PM · Out 12:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Accessible sites | 1 marked accessible in the listing |
| Accessibility | N |
| Phone | 231-326-4700 |
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 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.
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. Facilities Picnic tables, food storage boxes, and campfire rings are provided at each campsite.
Each campsite has a designated area where tents must be pitched.
The campground has drinking water during the reservation season, but the water is shut off from October 16 through April 26 (weather permitting).
Pets and RVs are not allowed in the group sites.
Access to the campground is via a dirt road.
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. Contact Info For local information, please call (231) 326-4700 or call (877) 444-6777 for general information. Nearby Attractions To the East and North:
1.3 miles - Alligator Hill Trail - via Harwood Road (E), M-109 (S), Day Farm Road (E), & Stocking Road (N).
1.5 miles - Historic Village of Glen Haven & the General Store bookstore
2.0 miles - Maritime Museumand
2.3 miles - Sleeping Bear Point Trail
3.2 miles - Village of Glen Arbor - where the Crystal River winds through town to Lake Michigan.
7.3 miles - Port Onieda Historic District.
21.8 miles - The Harbor Town of Leland serves as the gateway to both North and South Manitou Islands .
To the South:
1.5 miles - The Dune Climb and Dune Center bookstore .
3.5 miles - Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, home of the Lake Michigan Overlook.
6.5 miles - Village of Empire .
Charges & Cancellations
Directions, from the listing
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
Nearest federal campgrounds
1 mi straight-line · Glen Arbor MichiganNPSNational Park ServiceSouth Manitou Group Campground
9 mi straight-line · EMPIRE MichiganNPSNational Park ServiceWhite Pine Backcountry Campground Permits
11 mi straight-line · EMPIRE MichiganNPSNational Park ServicePopple Campground - South Manitou Island
11 mi straight-line · Empire MichiganNPSNational Park ServicePlatte River Campground
13 mi straight-line · Honor Michigan
Trip Card — D.H. Day Group Campground
EMPIRE · Michigan · Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
| Agency | NPS · National Park Service |
|---|---|
| Location | EMPIRE · Michigan · Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore |
| 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 or purcha… |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Not reported |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 4 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232457 · 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.