D.H. Day Campground
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: EMPIRE, MI, MI
Price: From $10 per night
Rating: 4.4 out of 5 (544 reviews)
Season: May through October
Day Campground is located in the northern district of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, on the lower peninsula of Michigan. This rustic campground is one of the most popular in Northern Michigan and is open (weather permitting) from April 27 through the last Sunday in November. Reservations are required May 1 through October 15.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): strong signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: AT&T. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 100%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Showers, Fishing, Boat Launch, Firewood for Sale
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/dh-day-campground to be notified when sites open up.
D.H. Day Campground is one of the most popular in Northern Michigan with campsites within walking distance of Lake Michigan shoreline. Google reviewers praise the clean facilities, shady and private sites, and excellent beach access.
Wildlife alert: Bobcats, porcupines, and eastern chipmunks present in area. Caspian terns and various warbler species observed nearby.
Insider tips for D.H. Day Campground: Book early — this is a federal campground and very popular Sites near area 55 have outworldly beach access for swimming Many sites are shady and private compared to state parks Firewood available for purchase on-site
Skip D.H. Day Campground if: You require RV hookups — campground has no hookups and is only suitable for self-contained RVs. You need flush toilets and sinks — only vault toilets available (some reviewers reported cleanliness issues). You visit outside May-October operating season.
Best time to visit D.H. Day Campground: May through October — Verified operating season with reservations required May 1 through October 15.
Nearby campgrounds: D.H. Day Group Campground (EMPIRE, MI), South Manitou Group Campground (EMPIRE, MI), White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits (EMPIRE, MI), Platte River Campground (EMPIRE, MI).
Cell Phone Coverage at D.H. Day Campground
Cell signal at D.H. Day Campground (EMPIRE, MI): strong overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: AT&T.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage · AT&T 5G: 100%
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Day Campground is located in the northern district of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, on the lower peninsula of Michigan. This rustic campground is one of the most popular in Northern Michigan and is open (weather permitting) from April 27 through the last Sunday in November. Reservations are required May 1 through October 15.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground and very popular
Sites near area 55 have outworldly beach access for swimming
Many sites are shady and private compared to state parks
Firewood available for purchase on-site
Verified operating season with reservations required May 1 through October 15
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: AT&T.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Empire, MI: Drive north on M-22 for 2 miles (3.2 km) to the intersection of M-109, turn left onto M-109, continue for another 5.3 miles (8.5 km) past the Scenic Drive, Dune Climb & entrance to the D.H. Day Group Campground. The entrance to this campground will be on your left. From Glen Arbor, MI: Drive west on M-109 for 1.4 miles (2.2 km), the entrance to this campground will be on your right. Physical Address: 8000 W. Harbor Hwy, Glen Arbor, MI 49636
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does D.H. Day Campground cost per night?+
What season is D.H. Day Campground open?+
Does D.H. Day Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at D.H. Day Campground?+
How do I make reservations at D.H. Day Campground?+
What is the cell service like at D.H. Day Campground?+
What season is D.H. Day Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
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