Tent Sites
Emerick D
VerifiedJune 1, 2026 Stayed at: White Pine Campground, Loop: White Pine
Hidden gem!
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About White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits
White Pine Backcountry Campground is a primitive camp located in the southern district of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, on the lower peninsula of Michigan. It is located approximately two miles from the Trail's End Road trailhead on the Platte Plains hiking trail south of Empire just off of M-22.
This year-round campground has six campsites, two shared fire rings, pit toilet, and two shared animal resistant food storage lockers. Plan to pack your water into the campsite, as there is no well in the campground.
Summer temperatures range from 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.
Available sites
7 total sitesSeasonal information
2026
(Current year)
2026 Season availability
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Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
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Currently open - Oct 16 to Dec 31
Campground Amenities
Water Access
- Beach Access
- Lake Access
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Rates, Sites & Availability
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7 Sites Available
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White Pine Campground 1, Loop: White Pine
Tent
Yes shade
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White Pine Campground 2, Loop: White Pine
Tent
Yes shade
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White Pine Campground 3, Loop: White Pine
Tent
Yes shade
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White Pine Campground 4, Loop: White Pine
Tent
Yes shade
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White Pine Campground 5, Loop: White Pine
Tent
Yes shade
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White Pine Campground 6, Loop: White Pine
Tent
Yes shade
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White Pine Campground, Loop: White Pine
Tent
Yes shade
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Site Details
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7 Sites Available
Site
Price
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White Pine Campground 1, Loop: White Pine
Tent
Yes shade
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White Pine Campground 2, Loop: White Pine
Tent
Yes shade
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White Pine Campground 3, Loop: White Pine
Tent
Yes shade
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White Pine Campground 4, Loop: White Pine
Tent
Yes shade
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White Pine Campground 5, Loop: White Pine
Tent
Yes shade
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White Pine Campground 6, Loop: White Pine
Tent
Yes shade
⛺
White Pine Campground, Loop: White Pine
Tent
Yes shade
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews
19 reviews
Summary
White Pine Backcountry Campground offers well-maintained trails and clean, spacious sites, making it a lovely backcountry destination near Lake Michigan. Campers appreciate the serene atmosphere, quiet surroundings, and proximity to a private beach, with amenities like fire pits and bear lockers enhancing the experience. However, visitors should be prepared for mosquitoes and potential issues with the pit toilet, as well as the need for more detailed information about the campground online.
Based on guest feedback
4.6
Overall rating
Based on 19 reviews
5 stars
78.9% (15)
4 stars
15.8% (3)
3 stars
0.0% (0)
2 stars
0.0% (0)
1 star
5.3% (1)
Showing 19 reviews
Verified Only
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Jonathan D
VerifiedAugust 14, 2026 Stayed at: White Pine Campground, Loop: White Pine
Excellent easy introduction to backpacking for a newbie. Really close to an amazing beach on Lake Michigan. Be aware that the mosquitos are thick!
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Mary J
VerifiedAugust 15, 2026 Stayed at: White Pine Campground, Loop: White Pine
Lovely backcountry campground with 6 individual sites, 2 community fire pits, 2 food storage lockers and an outhouse (no water pump). Its located between 2 ridges so not a lot of breeze during a humid Aug stay with the mosquitoes. Two diff paths about 1/3 mi long take you to a 4 mi strech of Lake MI shoreline all to yourselves. Amazing!
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Nolan L
VerifiedAugust 16, 2026 Stayed at: White Pine Campground, Loop: White Pine
Very clean sites. Beautiful walk to the beach and very minimal bugs. All campers were quiet and respectful. Awesome experience
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Andrew F
VerifiedAugust 16, 2026 Stayed at: White Pine Campground, Loop: White Pine
Well maintained trails and campsite.
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Courtney K
VerifiedAugust 30, 2026 Stayed at: White Pine Campground, Loop: White Pine
Campsites were as promised.
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Amber S
VerifiedSeptember 14, 2026 Stayed at: White Pine Campground, Loop: White Pine
The trail was lovely. The campsites aren't very private.
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Alexander H
VerifiedSeptember 15, 2026 Stayed at: White Pine Campground, Loop: White Pine
This campground is perfect for relaxation super easy hike to the campground.
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Alyssa R
VerifiedSeptember 27, 2026 Stayed at: White Pine Campground, Loop: White Pine
White Pines is a delightful backcountry campground. Located very close to the lakeshore and just 2 mi from the parking lot. There are two communal fire pits, two bear boxes, and a pit toilet. Really nice considering it's all backcountry! Trails aren't always super well marked out there, so read the map at the parking lot before you set out!
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Location & Directions for White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Empire, MI 49630 United States
Elevation: 183 ft
Getting There
FROM THE EAST (Traverse City): Take State Highway M-72 west to Empire. Turn south on State Highway M-22.
To Trails End Road: Drive 6 mi to Trails End Road - turn right
Drive 1 mi to the trailhead
To Platte Plains Ski Trail Parking: Drive 6.5...
FROM THE EAST (Traverse City): Take State Highway M-72 west to Empire. Turn south on State Highway M-22.
To Trails End Road: Drive 6 mi to Trails End Road - turn right
Drive 1 mi to the trailhead
To Platte Plains Ski Trail Parking: Drive 6.5 mi - the trailhead parking area will be on the right
To Peterson Road: Drive 9.5 mi to Peterson Road - turn right
Drive 1.5 mi to the trailhead unloading zone on the right
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
FROM THE SOUTH (US-31 / M-115): At the junction of US-31 and M-115, continue north for seven miles. Turn left onto Platte Road. Proceed five miles and turn right onto M-22.
To Peterson Road: Drive 1.5 mi to Peterson Road - turn left
Drive 1.5 mi to the trailhead unloading zone on the right
To Platte Plains Ski Trail Parking: Drive 4.5 mi - the trailhead parking area will be on the left
To Trails End Road: Drive 5 mi to Trails End Road turn left
Drive 1 mi to the trailhead
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
Check in time
2PM
Check out time
12PM
General
- 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 interagency passes (e.g., 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.
- 1. This is a required permit area. Print your permit and have it in your possession during your stay. 3. A maximum of two tents and four people are permitted at each backcountry campsite. To minimize impact to natural resources, set up your tent in the cleared area of your campsite. Do not set up your tent on vegetation. 4. Camp only in one of the six designated campsites. Sites are not assigned in advance. Campers choose from the unoccupied sites upon arrival. Each site has a numbered post at its entrance. 5. Use a backpack-style stove for cooking or use the community fire rings provided. Only burn dead, down, and detached wood in the fire ring. Do not burn trash or leave aluminum, glass, or other non-burnable materials in the fire ring. Beach fires are restricted to bare beach sand between the water's edge and the first dune. Do not leave fires unattended. 6. Carry out all refuse. Please leave a clean, neat campsite for the next camper. 7. Pets are prohibited in White Pine Backcountry Campground. 8. Bicycles, wheeled devices, wheelbarrows, wagons, carts, and trailers are prohibited on the Platte Plains trail and the White Pine Backcountry Campground. Do not create short-cuts. 9. Keep all food, drinks, coolers, toiletries, hygiene products, trash, recyclables, and scented items stored in the provided food storage lockers when not in use. Do not feed the wildlife.
- Violation of terms may result in permit suspension, revocation and/or issuance of a citation by law enforcement.
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Last updated: October 24, 2026
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