D.H. Day Campground

Entrance Fees - Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore charges a variety of entrance fees, depending on how a visitor arrives at the park. All visitors must have an entrance pass (separate from camping fees). The park also honors Federal Recreational Lands America the Beautiful (e.g., Resident Annual, Non-Resident Annual, Senior, Access, Military, 4th Grade, Golden Age). For more information visit the park's Fees & Passes web page.

The Michigan Recreation Passport is not valid for entry at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, which is a federally managed site.

Permit Conditions:

- Campers must check in at the campground office upon arrival. Change sites only with approval of the park ranger at the campground office.

- Campers are required to notify the campground if they will not arrive within 24 hours of the scheduled check-in time, which is 2:00 pm ET. If they do not, their reservation will be cancelled, and they will be charged the first night's camping fee plus an additional $20 no-show fee. Please call 231-326-4700, ext. 5045 to notify us promptly .

- Check-out time is 12:00 pm noon.

- Check-in time 2:00 pm.

- Camping is permitted ONLY in designated areas on parking pads & established tent pads. All vehicles and trailers must remain on roadway surfaces and off vegetation.

- No more than six (6) people will be permitted on a site.

- LIMIT TWO (2) VEHICLES permitted on a site : only one may be a truck camper, camper trailer, boat trailer, or motor-home.

- Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m. Noise levels must be controlled at all times to avoid disturbing other campers.

- Generator use is allowed only in campsites 1-31. Generators may be used from 9:00 am - 6:00 pm.

- Camping is limited to 14 TOTAL DAYS per designated campground between Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day. Camping equipment may not remain on a site for more than 14 days, even if used by a different person or group.

- ACTIVE BEAR AREA: Store food, drinks, ice chests/coolers, toiletries, trash/recyclables, and all scented items in a sealed vehicle, RV, or food storage locker day and night. Never feed wildlife.

- To prevent and slow the spread of forest pests and diseases, You may only burn firewood from NPS approved vendors. A list of approved vendors is available .

- Confine all fires to the fire ring and burn ONLY dead, down and detached wood or charcoal. Fires must be completely extinguished with water before leaving a campsite. Do not leave fires unattended.

- It is unlawful to cut, destroy, damage or remove ANY standing tree, shrub or plant , or possess any green vegetation within the park, including flowers. Do not injure trees with nails or by hanging hot lanterns on or against the trunk.

- Bicycles are to be used on roads or the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail only and are prohibited in walk-in and group campsites. Roller blades, skates, skateboards, scooters, and similar devices are prohibited in the campground.

- Wheeled devices are prohibited on foot trails , including wheelbarrows, wagons, carts & trailers. Do not create short-cuts.

- Pets must be on a six-foot (6 ft./1.8 m) leash at all times. Do not leave pets unattended and tied to an object. Pet owners are responsible for the cleanup of all excrement.

- Containers must be kept under drains and emptied only at the dump station .

- The washing of dishes, hands, hair, or brushing teeth, etc. at outdoor water faucets is prohibited. Washing vehicles at the dump station is prohibited.

- Do NOT burn trash/garbage in fire rings. ALL trash/garbage must be disposed of in provided dumpsters.

- Do NOT relocate fire rings.

- Do NOT park any portion of your vehicle or camper on tent pads.

Violation of terms may result in permit suspension, revocation and/or issuance of a citation by law enforcement.

Poison Ivy. Poison Ivy is abundant at the campground and throughout the lakeshore. Tent pads and campsite driveways are kept clear of poison ivy. However there may be poison ivy lining the boundary of the campsite.

Ticks. Ticks are common throughout the Lakeshore & are often found in tall grass and shrubs. To learn how to avoid and remove ticks, visit the Avoiding Ticks page on the Centers for Disease Control DC website.

Beach Safety. The park has pebble beaches rather than pure sand. Water shoes are recommended. There are no lifeguards on duty at any of the park beaches--swim at your own risk.

Beach fires are only allowed between the water and the first dune. No fires are permitted in dune grass. Never leave fires unattended and extinguish them with water only. NEVER BURY A BEACH FIRE WITH SAND.