Warning
GeneralThe Ironman Michigan triathlon will be taking place Sunday, September 20, 2026.The bike course takes place on M-22 and will have significant impact on local traffic. M-22 will be closed from 8:30 am to approximately 2 pm between the City of Frankfort and Esch Road.To avoid road closures, arriving campers should not arrive before the scheduled check-in time of 2 pm.To avoid road closures, departing campers should exit by 8:30 am via Deadstream Road, Platte Road, or M-22 northbound. Southbound M-22 will be closed.
About Platte River Campground
Number of accommodations: 171
Campground Amenities
-
Beach Access -
Pet Friendly -
Potable Water -
Lake Access -
River Access -
Showers -
Dump Station
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Sites & Availability
171 Sites Available
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Site Details
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171 Sites Available
No available sites
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Reviews (565)
What Guests Are Saying
Platte River Campground is praised for its spacious, well-kept sites and clean facilities, making it a favorite among campers. Visitors enjoyed the beautiful natural surroundings, easy access to hiking trails, and proximity to Lake Michigan, contributing to a peaceful and enjoyable experience. While some noted minor inconveniences, such as spotty cell service and layout issues, the overall sentiment remains highly positive, with many eager to return.
What Guests Are Saying
Platte River Campground is praised for its spacious, well-kept sites and clean facilities, making it a favorite among campers. Visitors enjoyed the beautiful natural surroundings, easy access to hiking trails, and proximity to Lake Michigan, contributing to a peaceful and enjoyable experience. While some noted minor inconveniences, such as spotty cell service and layout issues, the overall sentiment remains highly positive, with many eager to return.
Review Summary
Kathy J
VerifiedJune 17, 2025 • Stayed at: 206, Loop: Loop 2
Other than the weather, everything went very well. The check in went smoothly, our lot was fine, the bathrooms were clean, and the park was beautiful.
Maria C
VerifiedJune 16, 2025 • Stayed at: G003, Loop: Group Sites
Our favorite camp ground. So clean. The facilities were immaculate for a camp ground.
Jessica V
VerifiedJune 16, 2025 • Stayed at: 451, Loop: Loop 4
Very clean and quiet campground. Sites are secluded and good size. Very close to a great spot to launch kayaks and Lake Michigan is a bike ride or hike away. Good hiking trails, as well. We really enjoyed our stay, we were surprised that the non electric loop has actual restrooms and showers and the campground is close to a lot of outdoor adventures.
Maddie C
VerifiedJune 15, 2025 • Stayed at: 433, Loop: Loop 4
Very well run campground ⛺️
Dorothy C
VerifiedJune 14, 2025 • Stayed at: 304, Loop: Loop 3
Large camping spots! Even though the park was almost full, it did not feel like it. Clean and just beautiful.
Sean F
VerifiedJune 12, 2025 • Stayed at: 220, Loop: Loop 2
This campground is popular because it is excellent! It's a great base to visit both the Platte River and Glen Arbor areas. While DH Day is closer to Glen Arbor and more of the Sleeping Bear hiking trails, Platte River Campground is equally beautiful. The distinct advantage of Platte River Campground is the modern restrooms which include showers and a dish washing station. The showers are spacious, private, and the water can get hot. This makes Platte River Campground better for longer trips or bigger groups.
We stayed at Site 220, which I highly recommend for tents. There is plenty of room for a large tent as well as leaving room to camp. The fire pit is not very close to the tent, so there is little worry about burning a hole in your tent. Be aware that the picnic table is chained down and cannot be moved closer to the fire pit, so bring camp chairs if you plan to sit around the fire.
Because Platte River Campground has modern restrooms, there are not many restroom buildings: just 1 per loop. Therefore, proximity to the restroom is important. Site 220 is not right next to the restroom, but it's only about a 30-second walk. This is a big benefit.
For activities, we paddled the Lower Platte through Riverside Canoes. We rented a 6-man raft, which I highly recommend. It's fun to have the whole group in the same vessel. We also hiked Empire Bluff, Platte Plains, and Kettles trails. For meals, we stopped at Ursa Major and Cherry Hut in Beulah and of course Cherry Public House in Glen Arbor.
I would say that Platte River Campground is intermittently buggy. I definitely recommend preparing for the possibility of bad bugs. Everyone in our group had personal insect nets, but I also recommend an insect net canopy. Our campsite neighbors had one and remarked to us that it worked very well. The mosquitoes on Platte Plains were insane. Fortunately, we were prepared. But I do not recommend venturing out there unless you ARE prepared.
Overall, this is a great campground!
Michelle W
VerifiedJune 12, 2025 • Stayed at: 203, Loop: Loop 2
Very nice campground. Kept very clean, partially due to active bears in the area.
Jack I
VerifiedJune 10, 2025 • Stayed at: 219, Loop: Loop 2
Platte River is our go to place every year. The sites are so large and give us the privacy we're hoping for while camping. There is access to so much hiking/biking/kayaking within the area that we love spending time here.
SUSAN D
VerifiedJune 10, 2025 • Stayed at: 128, Loop: Loop 1
I always love camping at Platte River. I love the spacious sites, clean restrooms and all the trails.
Ellen O
VerifiedJune 9, 2025 • Stayed at: 107, Loop: Loop 1
Beautiful area and park was real nice. Camp spots were spaced out nicely with lots of trees and shade. Very well kept.
Only complaint is there were garbage bins blocking one of the access points to fill tank leaving only one fresh water hose to fill tank which caused a lengthy wait due to only one camper at a time being able to fill or dump, that was a real bummer!
Will be back in October, hopefully get there early so no wait.
Location Platte River Campground
Address:
5685 Lake Michigan Road
Honor, MI, 49640
United States
From the east (Traverse City): Take State Highway M-72 west to Empire. Turn south on State Highway M-22. Proceed 10 miles 16 km) (and turn right on Lake Michigan Road. Follow the signs to Platte River Campground.
From the south (US-31/M-115): At the junction of U.S. Route 31 and M-115, continue north for seven miles (11 km). Turn left on Platte Road. Proceed five miles and turn right on M-22. Proceed one mile (1.6 km) and turn left on Lake Michigan Road. Follow the signs to Platte River Campground.
PHYSICAL CAMPGROUND ADDRESS: 5685 Lake Michigan Road, Honor, MI, 49640
Latitude & Longitude: 44.7128 / -86.1178
Elevation: 184 feet
Policies & Rules
| Category | About |
|---|---|
| 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 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. |
| General |
Permit Conditions:1. Campers must check-in at the campground office immediately upon arrival.2. Campers must notify the campground at 231-326-4700 ext. 5029 if they will not arrive within 24 hours of the check-in time or their reservation will be cancelled; they will be charged the first night's camping fee plus a $20 no show fee.3. Check-in time is 2 pm Check-out time is noon.4. Camping is permitted only in designated areas, on the established tent pads, and paved parking pads. All vehicles, wheeled camping units, and trailers must remain on pavement and off gravel or vegetation.5. No more than six (6) people and only one wheeled camping unit will be permitted on each site.6. Quiet hours are 10 pm - 6 am. Noise levels must be controlled at all times.7. Generator use is prohibited at Platte River Campground.8. ACTIVE BEAR AREA: Store food, drinks, ice chests/coolers (empty or full), toiletries, trash/recyclables, food prep tools and all scented items in a sealed hard sided vehicle or food storage locker day and night. Never feed wildlife.9. To prevent and slow the spread of forest pests and diseases, you may only burn NPS approved firewood. Firewood may be purchased between the entrances of Loops 2 and 3.10. Confine all fires to the fire ring and burn only dead, down, and detached wood, manufactured logs, or charcoal. Fires must be completely extinguished with water. Do not leave fires unattended. Do not burn trash.11. The use of burning torches, commonly referred to tiki or bug torches, is prohibited.12. It is unlawful to cut, destroy, or damage 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.13. Wheeled devices, including bicycles, wheelbarrows, wagons, and trailers are prohibited on foot trails. These items are also prohibited in walk-in and group campsites.14. Pets must be on a six-foot leash under restraint or caged at all times. Do not leave pets unattended. Pet owners are responsible for all cleanup. Pets are prohibited in group camp areas.15. Containers must be kept under drains and emptied only at the dump station.16. The washing of dishes, hands, hair, or brushing teeth, etc. at outdoor water faucets is prohibited. Washing vehicles at the dump station is prohibited.17. Camping is limited to 14 TOTAL days per designated campground between Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day.18. Unless registered for a group or walk-in site, parking in those areas is prohibited. Overflow parking is available at Platte River Picnic Area located at Lake Michigan Road and M-22. |
| General |
Violation of terms may result in permit suspension, revocation and/or issuance of a citation by law enforcement. |
Warnings & Advisories
Warning
GeneralThe Ironman Michigan triathlon will be taking place Sunday, September 20, 2026.The bike course takes place on M-22 and will have significant impact on local traffic. M-22 will be closed from 8:30 am to approximately 2 pm between the City of Frankfort and Esch Road.To avoid road closures, arriving campers should not arrive before the scheduled check-in time of 2 pm.To avoid road closures, departing campers should exit by 8:30 am via Deadstream Road, Platte Road, or M-22 northbound. Southbound M-22 will be closed.
