Honor, Michigan: Platte River Campground in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park

September 2023, Sunday - Tuesday, two nights, campsite 221

This was a last minute stay for us, at the end of Labor Day weekend, so our campsite choices were limited. We were glad to have been a part of the trial group for the new notification system being tested, so we received an email when there was a cancelation. Campsite 221 is not a campsite we would choose again, if we had had more options to choose from. It is not an awful campsite; there are just many better sites in the campground.

Campsite 221 in Platte River National Park Campground

The area around the camper is somewhat private on this site; however, the main area where the table and fire pit are located is not the greatest. 

Campsite 221 in Platte River National Park Campground

We had a short walk up a hill to the tent/table/fire area. This area overlooks site 222; I suppose that probably makes site 222 an even worse site than 221. It was kind of like we were seated in their backyard looking down at them when we were using the picnic table. The bathhouse/restroom building is located right behind the table area of site 221. The roof is visible to the left of our screened tent in one of the photos above. Possibly, tenters who want to be close to the facilities may like this site. Fresh water, and trash and recycling bins are located next to the bathhouse.

Overlook from one of our hikes in Sleeping Bear Dunes

Recreation: swimming, hiking, biking, kayaking

A national roadside park with a canoe/kayak launch, is located on Platte River across the street from the entrance to this campground. Since this is part of the national park, a park sticker is required to access the river at this point. There are two designated national park areas where the river empties into Lake Michigan with access to the river, Lake Michigan beach, and picnicking. We kayaked this leisure portion of the river on Monday, and the river was quite busy. The hike to Lake Michigan within the campground was about 1½ miles from our campsite. You can find more information about other potions of kayaking Platte River in my post from our stay in 2016 in nearby Platte River State Forest campground. Both campgrounds are near Sleeping Bear Dunes and paved bicycle trails, as well.

Let me know if you have any questions!