Philip A. Hart Visitor Center
Facility · Michigan ·
Managed by the National Park Service
- 629 ft
- Elevation
The Philip A. Hart Visitor Center is located on M-72 just east of the intersection with M-22 in Empire, MI. You will find a wealth of information about the park and the natural and human history of the area. Park passes, brochures, and maps are available at the Information Desk. If you have questions, rangers and volunteers are available to assist you.
Getting there
From the south (Detroit or Chicago areas): Take US-31, US-131, US-27 to M-115 & M-37, I-75 and M-72 North to Traverse City, then west on M-72 to the Village of Empire. You will see the visitor center as you enter Empire on your right.
From the north (Michigan's Upper Peninsula):take I-75 to Grayling and follow M-72 to Traverse City or take US-31 south to Traverse City, then go west on M-72 to the Village of Empire.
44.81153, -86.05620 · 44°48'41.5"N 86°3'22.3"W
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, 11.2 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Member photos
Common questions about Philip A. Hart Visitor Center
- Can you reserve a site at Philip A. Hart Visitor Center?
- No. Philip A. Hart Visitor Center is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.
Camping near Philip A. Hart Visitor Center
- White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits 5.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- D.H. Day Group Campground 5.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- D.H. Day Campground 6.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Platte River Campground 7.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- South Manitou Group Campground 14 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Seaton Creek Campground 33.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites 37.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Port Oneida Heritage Center 10.3 mi · Visitor Center
- South Manitou Island Visitor Center 13.8 mi · Facility
- Popple Campground - South Manitou Island 16.5 mi · Campground
- Village Campground - North Manitou Island 22.2 mi · Campground
- Udell Trailhead 40 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone (231) 326-4700
- Email sleepingbearinfo@nps.gov
- Info Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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