D.h. Day Group Campground

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Empire, Michigan, United States
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D.H. Day Group
D.H. Day Group Sign and Barn
Group site parking & garbage
D.H. Day Group Campground Sign 2025
D.H. Day Group

Featured amenities

Parking Parking
Fire Pit Fire Pit
View all amenities

About D.h. Day Group Campground

D.H. Day Group Campground is a tent-only facility located in the heart of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, about one mile (1 mi) 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.

Available sites

4 total sites
Tent Sites 4 sites Check Availability

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Fishing

Fishing

Year-round
Hiking

Hiking

Year-round
Swimming

Swimming

Summer

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Oct 16 to Nov 22

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Parking Parking
Fire Pit Fire Pit
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

  • Fire Pit
  • Campfire Ring
  • Firewood Available
Parking and Transport

Parking and Transport

  • Parking
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

4 Sites Available

Site
Price
⛺ G001, Loop: D.H. DAY Group Sites Tent
Gravel · Campfire
⛺ G002, Loop: D.H. DAY Group Sites Tent
Gravel · Campfire
⛺ G003, Loop: D.H. DAY Group Sites Tent
Gravel · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ G004, Loop: D.H. DAY Group Sites Tent
Gravel · Campfire

Reviews

23 reviews

Summary

AI generated

D.H. Day Group Campground offers a beautiful setting with clear check-in directions and a nice park atmosphere. Site 1 is shaded and ideal for large groups, with convenient access to the Heritage Trail for beach walks and the Dune Climb. Visitors should remember to bring water and avoid the pit toilets.

Based on guest feedback

4.7

Overall rating

Based on 23 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 69.6% (16)
4 stars 30.4% (7)
3 stars 0.0% (0)
2 stars 0.0% (0)
1 star 0.0% (0)

Showing 23 reviews

Verified Only
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John H

Verified

December 18, 2019 Stayed at: G004, Loop: D.H. DAY Group Sites

I’ve been camping at DH Day several times a year since 1982. I am not a fan of your new reservation only policy. Thus, I moved to other campgrounds this summer, since you are always fully booked months in advance. It is only possible to get a site in the spring or fall. So disappointed that you don’t have some sites that are non reservation.

Helpful

Brian D

Verified

August 15, 2020 Stayed at: G002, Loop: D.H. DAY Group Sites

Great location for a fun, rustic group trip with 3 families and a couple friends. So much to do in the area.

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Tracie R

Verified

September 11, 2020 Stayed at: G003, Loop: D.H. DAY Group Sites

The people in the groups around us were very loud but I guess that’s what you expect when you’re at a group campground.

Helpful

Bruce T

Verified

June 14, 2021 Stayed at: G003, Loop: D.H. DAY Group Sites

This is our 20th year camping here and it was as wonderful as ever. The location is well cared for and the check-in was easy. Enjoyed climbing the dune behind the campsite off the bike trail, kayaking the river, and spending time in charming Glen Arbor.

Helpful

Nichole C

Verified

July 6, 2021 Stayed at: G001, Loop: D.H. DAY Group Sites

We stayed in a group site. It was beautiful and clean. The Ranger who checked us in was kind and helpful. We enjoyed our stay!

Helpful

Ryan E

Verified

August 7, 2021 Stayed at: G001, Loop: D.H. DAY Group Sites

Great location with access to the park facilities nearby. Park needs to enforce quiet hours better.

Helpful

Jill S

Verified

August 16, 2021 Stayed at: G004, Loop: D.H. DAY Group Sites

The group sites were perfect for our hiking group. Because of Covid we opted to camp DH Day. We usually go to South Manitou Island. This was our 21st year of all girl group hiking/camping.

Helpful

Gary W

Verified

June 9, 2022 Stayed at: G002, Loop: D.H. DAY Group Sites

Our students from Living Stones Academy in Grand Rapids had a fabulous time at DH Day group sites. Matt Mohrman was helpful in setting us up to do a service project in the park. The staff we encountered were friendly and helpful.

Helpful

Location & Directions for D.h. Day Group Campground

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Empire, MI 49630 United States

Elevation: 183 ft

Getting There

From Traverse City, Michigan take M-72 west to Empire. Proceed 2.1 mi (2.1 mi) north of Empire on M-22. Go 4.1 mi (4.1 mi) 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...

Nearest town

Empire, MI - 6.8 mi

About 11 min to downtown

Policies & Rules

Arrival & departure

Check in time

2PM

Check out time

12PM

General

  • D.H. Day GROUP Campground is approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from D.H. Day Campground. Before setting up camp, ALL CAMPERS MUST STOP AND CHECK-IN at D.H. Day Campground, 8000 W Harbor Highway, Glen Arbor, MI 49636. From the main campground, you will travel on a dirt road to reach the group campground.
  • Entrance Fees. 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. The park also honors Federal interagency passes (e.g., annual, senior, access, 4th grade, Golden Age pass etc.). For more information visit the park's Fees & Passes web page.  Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore does not honor the Michigan Recreation Passport which only covers entrance fees for Michigan State Parks, NOTE: Effective March 1, 2023, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore accepts card payment only at staffed locations (no cash or checks).  
  • Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Noise levels must be controlled at all times to avoid disturbing other campers. Generators, chainsaws, or other items that cause unreasonable or excessive noise are prohibited.
  • Fires and Firewood. Confine all fires to the fire ring and burn ONLY dead, down and detached wood, or charcoal.  - Do not leave fires unattended. Fires must be completely extinguished with water before leaving a campsite.  - Firewood is available for purchase in the main campground (near campsite 81), or visitors may collect dead, down and detached firewood within the park boundaries.  - Firewood from areas outside of this facility must be from a lakeshore approved firewood vendor--visit the Firewood page on the park website for a list of approved vendors. 
  • Do NOT burn trash or garbage in fire rings. ALL trash & garbage MUST be disposed of in provided trash cans. 
  • Protect Trees. 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.  
  • 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.
  • 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. For poison ivy identification, visit the Plants page on the park website and scroll to the "Shrub Zone" section and view the adjacent image.
  • Problems or Emergencies. Please notify a Ranger or Campground Host if you encounter any problems. In case of Emergency, DIAL 911.
  • Violations. Violations of Camping Rules and Regulations may result in permit suspension, revocation and/or issuance of a citation by law enforcement.

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Nearby destinations

Explore destination

Glen Arbor

3 mi away

City
Explore destination

Empire

6 mi away

Day trip
Explore destination

Maple City

10 mi away

City

Last updated: October 21, 2026

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Explore Empire, MI

Population: 341

Elevation: 614 ft

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