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

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

Are pets allowed at D.H. Day Group Campground?

No, pets are not allowed at D.H. Day Group Campground.

Are campfires allowed at D.H. Day Group Campground?

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

D.H. Day Group Campground, Michigan — 4 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

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 and campfire rings are provided at the campsites. The campground has drinking water during the reservation season, but the water is shut off from October through April. 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.

Nearby Attractions

The historic area of Glen Haven, which features a working blacksmith shop, a 1920s-era general store and Sleeping Bear Point Maritime Museum, is within a short drive of the campground.

Contact Info

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

Charges & Cancellations

The facts

4 bookable sites
1 accessible site
Up to 25 people per site
Loops: D.H. DAY Group Sites

Site types

4 Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric

Amenities

Campfires allowed
Fire pits
Picnic tables
Shade
Pets allowed — not available

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

4 campsites at D.H. Day Group Campground

Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

Accessible only

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Max rig	People
G001	D.H. DAY Group Sites	Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric	—	Gravel	—	25
G002	D.H. DAY Group Sites	Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric	—	Gravel	—	25
G003	D.H. DAY Group Sites	Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric	—	Gravel	—	25	♿
G004	D.H. DAY Group Sites	Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric	—	Gravel	—	25

Getting there

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

44.89167, -86.04278 · 44°53'30.0"N 86°2'34.0"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, 10.5 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 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.

Common questions about D.H. Day Group Campground

Can you reserve a site at D.H. Day Group Campground?: Yes, D.H. Day Group Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does D.H. Day Group Campground have?: 4 sites.
Are pets allowed at D.H. Day Group Campground?: No, pets are not allowed at D.H. Day Group Campground.
Are campfires allowed at D.H. Day Group Campground?: Campfires are allowed at D.H. Day Group Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near D.H. Day Group Campground

D.H. Day Campground 1.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
South Manitou Group Campground 8.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits 10.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Platte River Campground 12.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Seaton Creek Campground 38.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites 42.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Philip A. Hart Visitor Center 5.6 mi · Facility
Port Oneida Heritage Center 5.9 mi · Visitor Center
South Manitou Island Visitor Center 8.5 mi · Facility
Popple Campground - South Manitou Island 11.3 mi · Campground
Village Campground - North Manitou Island 16.6 mi · Campground
Udell Trailhead 45.6 mi · Facility

Contact

Phone 231-326-4700
Book Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-08-02.

D.H. Day Group Campground