Platte River Campground

Beautiful, wooded Campground! Great sites. But, very very strict rules about coolers, container bins, things left on your picnic table and or table by your fire, and your tires on the blacktop and not on the gravel. This is very difficult if you are a tent camper in particular. Hauling coolers and Ben's up and down a hill for meals, etc., it's extremely difficult depending on your physical ability. I've never been written up ever let alone as many times as I was written up at this park. They said it was so they wouldn't attract bears. I have camped at many campgrounds around the same area and never experienced this situation before. I've also camped in the upper peninsula and again, did not experience these kind of restrictions. You cannot leave an empty beverage can on your table by your fire, no sealed salt and pepper shaker on your table, sealed and lock down coolers or bins. My tire was 2 inches off the blacktop in the gravel and I got written up. Just be prepared for a lot of rules and effort to get to your food etc.

There is a lot of room between campsites, it is very peaceful. There are a lot of walking and biking trails. I recommend bringing a flash light if you plan on walking to the bathroom or in the campground at night, it is very dark. The campground and bathrooms are very clean. We enjoyed the evening talks at the amphitheater. Beautiful kayaking on the lower platte

beautiful area, great for bike riding

Beautiful campground, but had a very noisy group by us

I have been going to this park for 6 years and each time has been an amazing adventure! Bathrooms are always clean and stocked with TP. Showers clean. Rangers friendly. Overall appearance of park is amazing!

We have been attending Platte River Campground every year for many years. This year, unfortunately was not what we expected. We witnessed an adult patron at a camp site alone without a car, tent or supplies, sitting under a shade tent with binoculars looking out at other campers/campsites. He then proceeded to use a stick holding it like a gun and making shooting sounds at campers/sites. It was very disturbing behavior given all of the mass shootings going on in the U.S. When we told the rangers station, they stated this was a normal occurrence, "he has a TBI, he is allowed to camp too, he is shooting people in other dimensions, you're okay" and did not validate the concerns. Although I understand nothing illegal was happening...yet, it made us feel unsafe. This guy looked like he was plotting something. Maybe it was harmless, but when you're out in the woods far away from hospital/police it was very unsettling. Least they could do is ask this guy not to do this. Sure, sit and look out your binoculars, but pretending to shoot people with a stick is something completely different. Who is to say he does or doesn't have a gun. We unfortunately ended up packing up our stuff and getting a hotel in Traverse City for the last night. Maybe we over reacted, but I also would of hated to say "we told you so".

We love the large sites with many trees. Close to hiking and biking trails, Lake MI beaches. Good kayaking on the Upper Platte River and floating on the Lower Platte River. Wine tasting in the Traverse City area.

This is one of the best campgrounds in Michigan. The sites are large and private. The bathrooms are very clean. We love it here

We (friends and family) love it up here!! Would have given 5 stars but there is one thing that could be improved upon that would be better for everyone;s health. That is the campfires! Especially when there is no wind we are all breathing very high - extremely unhealthy air (Air Quality Index is off the charts!) When you turn on flashlights at night you are in a haze. The first and best way to improve this is to have firewood vendors deliver seasoned or dried wood so that it starts and burns well. Lots of smoldering wood left by others that I fortified with kiln dried wood (from Menards for $3.99/ bundle on sale). Secondly, I bring my own smokeless campfire pit - like Solo brand with catalytic action that actually burns the smoke as it leaves the stainless steel cylinder. Maybe some day those old steel campfire rings could be replaced.

The park employees were all so friendly and helpful - like hotel concierge! They keep the bathrooms clean and overall well taken care of campground. Thank you crew!!

You are in an extremely cool part of the world - submerged in natures beauty. Birds, fish, deer, insects. Perhaps the nicest of the Great Lakes - Lake Michigan with clean cool refreshing water and miles and miles of sandy shorelines with ample beaches. Crystal lake by Beulah to Frankfort is another super clean lake that might be clearer than Lake Michigan. Lots of locally grown fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs, honey, etc. Hiking, biking, swimming, boating, kayaking, sailing, jet skiing are all available to you here. There is so much to see and discover from Frankfort to Leland and over to Traverse city if you need bigger city amenities. i could just live here in the summer!

Platte River is a spacious campground that is immaculately clean and nicely appointed. I can't say enough. The staff was helpful and on top of everything. We hiked out to the lake for a swim and the beach was fabulous! Bathrooms and showers were super clean and nice. Conveniently located for access to all of Sleeping Bear, Empire, and surrounding area. Will certainly go again.