White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: EMPIRE, MI, MI
Price: From $13 per night
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (10 reviews)
Season: Year-round
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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Bear Boxes, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/white-pine-backcountry-campground-permits to be notified when sites open up.
Primitive backcountry campground in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore with beach access about 1/4 mile away and comfortable sites for small groups. Google reviewers praise the beautiful campsites and nearby beach, with easy hiking access from the parking lot.
Wildlife alert: Bald Eagles, Piping Plovers, White-tailed Deer, Common Raccoons, and Common Snapping Turtles documented in the area — store food in bear boxes and be aware during wildlife viewing.
Insider tips for White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits: Only 1.5 mile walk from parking lot to campsites — manageable for backpackers with gear Pack your own water — no water available at campsites Six total campsites comfortably hold 2-3 tents each Beach access approximately 1/4 mile from campsites
Skip White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits if: You need hookups — this is a primitive campground with no hookups. You want solitude — Federal campground requires early booking and can fill quickly. You prefer car camping — requires 1.5 mile hike from parking area.
Best time to visit White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits: Year-round — Campground operates year-round per RIDB, though seasonal operations noted in known issues.
Nearby campgrounds: Platte River Campground (EMPIRE, MI), D.H. Day Group Campground (EMPIRE, MI), D.H. Day Campground (EMPIRE, MI), South Manitou Group Campground (EMPIRE, MI).
Cell Phone Coverage at White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits
Cell signal at White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits (EMPIRE, MI): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 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.
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.
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 entryOnly 1.5 mile walk from parking lot to campsites
manageable for backpackers with gear
Pack your own water
no water available at campsites
Six total campsites comfortably hold 2-3 tents each
Beach access approximately 1/4 mile from campsites
Campground operates year-round per RIDB, though seasonal operations noted in known issues
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
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 miles to Trails End Road - turn right Drive 1 mile to the trailhead To Platte Plains Ski Trail Parking: Drive 6.5 miles - the trailhead parking area will be on the right To Peterson Road: Drive 9.5 miles to Peterson Road - turn right Drive 1.5 miles to the trailhead unloading zone on the right ________________________________________________________________________
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 White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits cost per night?+
What season is White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits open?+
Does White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits?+
How do I make reservations at White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits?+
What is the cell service like at White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits?+
What season is White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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