North and South Manitou Islands Camping North and South Manitou Islands offer camping choices for novice to pro campers. Since you are camping on islands, the Manitou Island Transit serves campers with ferry transportation. Reservations are recommended, and you can make them by calling 231-256-9061.South Manitou Island permits camping at three locations: the Bay, Weather Station and Popple Campgrounds. The island is small with a fragile ecosystem and low impact camping is the rule. At all locations food should be stored in hard containers to thwart the Northern Miniature Tiger (aka the chipmunk!). There is no transportation to the campgrounds so all camping gear and supplies must be packed in and out. Large group sites are available only by reservation from the Park Service. Please call the Park Service at 231-326-5134 or 1-800-365-CAMP (2267) for reservations, or going to Recreation.gov: South Manitou Group. Check out Camping on South Manitou Island for more details. SOUTH MANITOU ISLAND CAMPING FEES Bay Campground for 1-4 persons: 25 Total Sites, 0 Reservable. $5.00/night Weather Station Campground for 1-4 persons: 20 Total Sites, 0 Reservable $5.00/night Popple Campground for 1-4 persons: 7 Total Sites, 0 Reservable. $5.00/night. North Manitou Island offers 15,000 acres of wilderness with a visitor use concept that emphasizes solitude, self-reliance and a sense of exploration. Camping on North Manitou is "open": you choose the campsite! The primary visitor activities include hiking, swimming, backcountry camping and backpacking. The island itself is home to a large whitetail deer herd and is the summer range for a variety of raptors (including the Bald Eagle). In the fall, special trips are available for hunters. Check out North Manitou Island Camping for more details. NORTH MANITOU ISLAND CAMPING FEES Village Campground Campsites for 1-4 persons: 8 Total Sites, 0 Reservable. $5.00/night. Backcountry Camping for 1-4 persons: Unlimited Sites. $5.00/night. Group Camping for 10 persons maximum: Unlimited Sites. $10.00/night. North and South Manitou Islands are part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, so you will need a park pass to enter. You can purchase them in Empire or the morning of your departure from rangers at the Manitou Island Transit. Please visit Manitou Island Transit for island maps and more information about camping on the Manitou Islands. Photo: Tent Crescent City by Arace
Leelanau.com receives over 75,000 visitors every month. If you'd like to get your link and ad on this page, click here for the details! |
Camping & Lodging Information
Camping and Lodging Camping Fees and Reservation Info D.H. Day Campground Lodging North and South Manitou Island Camping Platte River Campground Sleeping Bear Area Camping |
About the Lakeshore
Recreation, Hiking & Trails
Map
Camping & Lodging
Park Issues
History
Photos
Home
Leelanau.com is brought to you in part by...