South Manitou Group Campground
Campground · Michigan · 6 bookable sites ·
Managed by the National Park Service
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (National Lakeshore) · Closed to Public Access
- 6
- Bookable sites
- up to 20
- People per site
- 575 ft
- Elevation
Overview
South Manitou Group Campground is a tent-only backcountry facility on South Manitou Island in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on Lake Michigan. Campers must take a 1.5-hour Manitou Island Transit Ferry trip or boat ride to reach it, and must backpack their gear into the campground from the dock. **Booking for individual sites on South Manitou Island are made on a first come/first served basis directly through Manitou Island Transit .**
This facility is comprised of three reservable group sites at Bay Campground and three others at Weather Station Campground. Each site is open to groups of nine to 20 people only. Smaller parties must plan to occupy multiple first-come, first-served individual sites at Popple, Bay or Weather Station Campgrounds on the island. Bay is the closest campground to the dock (less than a mile/1.6 km) and a short walk from the beach. Weather Station overlooks Lake Michigan from the bluffs on the south side of the island; the hike from the ferry is about 1.3 miles (2 km).
If group sites are full, your group may be able to split up into multiple individual campsites. Be sure to book reservations on the Manitou Island Transit website or call (231) 256-9061 for transportation to the island. Or contact Sleeping Bear Dunes for more information at (231) 326-4700 ext 5010.
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. Winters are cold, with daytime highs from 20° to 30° F (-7° to -1° C) and lows in the 10s and 20s F (-12 to -7° C). Snow is usually on the ground from late November through March.
Recreation
There is no shortage of activities on South Manitou Island. Visitors can hike around the 10-mile perimeter of the island via pebble beaches, take a tour of the South Manitou Island Lighthouse during summer months, view the 1960 shipwreck of the Francisco Morazanon or go on a motorized tour to learn the history of the island.Visitors can also hike day-long excursions to unique sand dune formations and old growth cedar forests. Both campgrounds have beach access where campers can beachcomb and swim; group sites are closer to the beach at Bay Campground than at Weather Station.
Facilities
Water is only available in the Village area. Group campsites are secluded and set apart from one another. Each site has a fire pit for open fires (firewood must be purchased or collected in the park). Wooden pit toilets are provided, however campers must bring their own toilet paper.Natural Features
South Manitou Island is part of an island chain in Lake Michigan that extends north to the Straits of Mackinac. The island consists of a ridge of tilted layers of limestone, buried under a blanket of glacial debris. It features unique sand dune formations, 10 miles of pebble beaches and a grove of old growth white cedars that date back over 500 years. The campgrounds lie on sandy soils among younger forests.Contact Info
For local information, please call (231) 326-4700 or call (877) 444-6777 for general information.The facts
- 6 bookable sites
- Up to 20 people per site
- Loops: Bay Group Sites, Weather Station Group Sites
Site types
- 6 Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Fire pits
- Shade
- Pets allowed — not available
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, picnic tables, grills.
6 campsites at South Manitou Group Campground
Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Access | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BG001 | Bay Group Sites | Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric | — | — | Hike In | — | 20 | |
| BG002 | Bay Group Sites | Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric | — | — | Hike In | — | 20 | |
| BG003 | Bay Group Sites | Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric | — | — | Hike In | — | 20 | |
| WG001 | Weather Station Group Sites | Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric | — | — | Hike In | — | 20 | |
| WG002 | Weather Station Group Sites | Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric | — | — | Hike In | — | 20 | |
| WG003 | Weather Station Group Sites | Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric | — | — | Hike In | — | 20 |
Getting there
From Traverse City, Michigan, take M-22 to Sutton's Bay. Go west on M-204 from Sutton's Bay towards Leland. Turn north at the junction of M-22 and M-204 to Leland. Take the Manitou Island Transit ferry from Leland to South Manitou Island.
45.01246, -86.09470 · 45°0'44.9"N 86°5'40.9"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, 16.7 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.
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about South Manitou Group Campground
- Can you reserve a site at South Manitou Group Campground?
- Yes, South Manitou Group Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does South Manitou Group Campground have?
- 6 sites.
- Are pets allowed at South Manitou Group Campground?
- No, pets are not allowed at South Manitou Group Campground.
- Are campfires allowed at South Manitou Group Campground?
- Campfires are allowed at South Manitou Group Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Camping near South Manitou Group Campground
- D.H. Day Group Campground 8.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- D.H. Day Campground 8.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits 19 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Platte River Campground 20.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Seaton Creek Campground 47.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites 51.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- South Manitou Island Visitor Center 0.2 mi · Facility
- Popple Campground - South Manitou Island 2.5 mi · Campground
- Port Oneida Heritage Center 9.2 mi · Visitor Center
- Village Campground - North Manitou Island 9.8 mi · Campground
- Philip A. Hart Visitor Center 14 mi · Facility
- Udell Trailhead 53.9 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone 231-326-4700
- Book 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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