Can you reserve a site at D.H. Day Campground?

Yes, D.H. Day Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.

How many campsites does D.H. Day Campground have?

87 sites in total, of which 82 can be booked.

What is the maximum RV length at D.H. Day Campground?

35 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Are pets allowed at D.H. Day Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at D.H. Day Campground.

Are campfires allowed at D.H. Day Campground?

Campfires are allowed at D.H. Day Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

D.H. Day Campground

Campground · Michigan · 82 bookable sites ·

Managed by the National Park Service

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (National Lakeshore) · Open Access

82
Bookable sites: 35 ft
Max rig length: up to 6
People per site: 1
Accessible site: 592 ft
Elevation

DH Day beach boardwalk — Photo: NPS · Recreation.gov

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 last Sunday in November. Reservations are required May 1 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.

Contact Info

For local information, please call (231) 326-4700 or call (877) 444-6777 for general information.

Nearby Attractions

Village of Glen Arbor (1.5 miles East).
The Alligator Hill Trail is less than a mile away.
To the West visitors will find the 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).
The Dune Climb (2 miles) and Dune Center bookstore are a short drive to the south.
4.2 miles to the south is the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, where the Lake Michigan Overlook is located .
Village of Empire (7.5 miles South).
The Crystal River winds its way to Lake Michigan just a few short miles to the north.
The Port Onieda Historic District can be found 5.7 miles to the North.
The Harbor Town of Leland is 20 miles north of the Lakeshore & is the gateway to both North and South Manitou Islands.

Charges & Cancellations

The facts

82 bookable sites
87 sites in total, including non-bookable
1 accessible site
Vehicles up to 35 ft
Up to 6 people per site
Loops: Generator, Lower, Upper

Site types

56 RV Nonelectric
13 Walk To
12 Tent Only Nonelectric
5 Management
1 Standard Nonelectric

Amenities

Electric hookups
Water hookups
Campfires allowed
Fire pits
Picnic tables
Pets allowed
Sewer hookups — not available

Not recorded upstream: grills, shade.

Book on Recreation.gov

87 campsites at D.H. Day Campground

Check-in 02:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

Accessible only

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Grade	Access	Max rig	People
01	Generator	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Gravel	Moderate	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
02	Generator	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Drive In	25 ft	6	🐾
03	Generator	Walk To	Back In	Gravel	Severe	Hike In	20 ft	6	🐾
04	Generator	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
05	Generator	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Severe	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
06	Generator	Walk To	Back In	Gravel	Severe	Hike In	20 ft	6	🐾
07	Generator	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Drive In	25 ft	6	🐾
08	Generator	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Moderate	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
09	Generator	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
10	Generator	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Severe	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
11	Generator	Walk To	Back In	Gravel	—	Hike In	20 ft	6	🐾
12	Generator	Walk To	Back In	Gravel	—	Hike In	20 ft	6	🐾
14	Generator	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
15	Generator	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
16	Generator	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Moderate	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
17	Generator	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Moderate	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
18	Generator	Walk To	Back In	Gravel	—	Hike In	20 ft	6	🐾
19	Generator	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
20	Generator	Walk To	Back In	Gravel	—	Hike In	20 ft	6	🐾
21	Generator	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
22	Generator	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Hike In	20 ft	6	🐾
23	Generator	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Severe	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
24	Generator	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
25	Generator	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Severe	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
26	Generator	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Severe	Hike In	20 ft	6	🐾
27	Generator	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
28	Generator	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
29	Generator	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
30	Generator	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Moderate	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
31	Generator	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Drive In	25 ft	6	🐾
82	Lower	Management	Pull Through	Gravel	—	Drive In	25 ft	6	🐾
83	Lower	Management	Back In	Gravel	—	Drive In	25 ft	6	🐾
84	Lower	Management	Back In	Gravel	—	Drive In	30 ft	6	🐾
85	Lower	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Drive In	35 ft	6	🐾
86	Lower	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Drive In	35 ft	6	♿ 🐾
87	Lower	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Moderate	Hike In	20 ft	6	🐾
88	Lower	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Drive In	25 ft	6	🐾
89	Lower	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Moderate	Hike In	20 ft	6	🐾
32	Upper	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Drive In	30 ft	6	🐾
33	Upper	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
34	Upper	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
35	Upper	Management	Back In	Gravel	—	Drive In	27 ft	6	🐾
36	Upper	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Drive In	25 ft	6	🐾
37	Upper	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Drive In	25 ft	6	🐾
39	Upper	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Drive In	25 ft	6	🐾
40	Upper	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Drive In	25 ft	6	🐾
41	Upper	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Severe	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
42	Upper	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Moderate	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
43	Upper	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Severe	Drive In	25 ft	6	🐾
44	Upper	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Severe	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
45	Upper	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Severe	Drive In	25 ft	6	🐾
46	Upper	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Drive In	25 ft	6	🐾
47	Upper	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Severe	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
48	Upper	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Moderate	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
49	Upper	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
50	Upper	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
51	Upper	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
52	Upper	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Drive In	25 ft	6	🐾
53	Upper	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Drive In	25 ft	6	🐾
54	Upper	Walk To	Parallel	Gravel	Moderate	Hike In	20 ft	6	🐾
55	Upper	Walk To	Parallel	Gravel	Moderate	Hike In	20 ft	6	🐾
56	Upper	Walk To	Parallel	Gravel	Moderate	Hike In	20 ft	6	🐾
57	Upper	Walk To	Back In	Gravel	Moderate	Hike In	20 ft	6	🐾
58	Upper	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
59	Upper	Walk To	Back In	Gravel	—	Hike In	20 ft	6	🐾
60	Upper	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
61	Upper	Walk To	Back In	Gravel	Moderate	Hike In	20 ft	6	🐾
62	Upper	Walk To	Parallel	Gravel	Moderate	Hike In	17 ft	6	🐾
63	Upper	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
64	Upper	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
65	Upper	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
66	Upper	Management	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Drive In	25 ft	6	🐾
67	Upper	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
68	Upper	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Severe	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
69	Upper	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
70	Upper	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Drive In	25 ft	6	🐾
71	Upper	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
72	Upper	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Drive In	25 ft	6	🐾
73	Upper	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
74	Upper	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Moderate	Hike In	20 ft	6	🐾
75	Upper	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Moderate	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
76	Upper	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Moderate	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
77	Upper	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Moderate	Drive In	25 ft	6	🐾
78	Upper	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Moderate	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
79	Upper	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Drive In	25 ft	6	🐾
80	Upper	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Drive In	20 ft	6	🐾
81	Upper	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Moderate	Drive In	30 ft	6	🐾

Getting there

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

44.89728, -86.02056 · 44°53'50.2"N 86°1'14.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 80°F in Jul, down to 29°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	29	31	41	53	67	76	80	78	71	58	45	34
Low °F	16	16	22	31	42	52	57	57	50	40	30	22
Precip in	2.8	1.9	2.0	2.9	3.1	2.9	2.7	2.9	4.1	4.5	3.2	2.7

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 9.5 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

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 and fee rates 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.

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

More photos

Self-pay Firewood Station — Photo: NPS · Recreation.gov

D.H. Day Campground entrance sign — Photo: NPS · Recreation.gov

Member photos

Add a photo

Common questions about D.H. Day Campground

Can you reserve a site at D.H. Day Campground?: Yes, D.H. Day Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does D.H. Day Campground have?: 87 sites in total, of which 82 can be booked.
What is the maximum RV length at D.H. Day Campground?: 35 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at D.H. Day Campground?: Yes, pets are allowed at D.H. Day Campground.
Does D.H. Day Campground have hookups?: Electric, Water.
Are campfires allowed at D.H. Day Campground?: Campfires are allowed at D.H. Day Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near D.H. Day Campground

D.H. Day Group Campground 1.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
South Manitou Group Campground 8.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits 11.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Platte River Campground 13.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Seaton Creek Campground 38.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites 43.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Port Oneida Heritage Center 4.8 mi · Visitor Center
Philip A. Hart Visitor Center 6.2 mi · Facility
South Manitou Island Visitor Center 8.6 mi · Facility
Popple Campground - South Manitou Island 11.3 mi · Campground
Village Campground - North Manitou Island 16.1 mi · Campground
Udell Trailhead 46 mi · Facility

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-06-14.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.