National park · Sleeping Bear Dunes · Michigan

Platte River Campground

Platte River Campground is the National Park Service campground in the southern part of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, about 10 miles south of Empire at 5685 Lake Michigan Road in Honor, Michigan. It is the most practical in-park choice for RVers: NPS lists 179 sites, 96 of them electric, plus free hot showers, flush toilets, potable water and a seasonal dump station. It suits families, multi-night stays and RVers who want national-park camping with some modern comfort instead of a private resort.

Platte River Campground at a glance

Hookups Mixed electric + none
Max RV length Exact site; NPS max 40 ft
Cost $31 non-electric
Fees Electric-site quote and park entrance are separate.
Reservations 6-month rolling

Source-backed: Official NPS campground page (checked 2026-07-26). Rates and site details change — verify with the operator before you book. Compare it with every other park we track in the price index.

Why RVers stay here

Platte River Campground is the National Park Service campground in the southern part of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, about 10 miles south of Empire at 5685 Lake Michigan Road in Honor, Michigan. It is the most practical in-park choice for RVers: NPS lists 179 sites, 96 of them electric, plus free hot showers, flush toilets, potable water and a seasonal dump station. It suits families, multi-night stays and RVers who want national-park camping with some modern comfort instead of a private resort.

Electric sites sit in Loops 1 to 3 and non-electric in Loop 4. Non-electric sites cost $31 per night; electric-site prices are date- and site-specific in the booking flow, and the park entrance pass is separate. NPS lists a 40-foot campground maximum, but the selected site controls; electric site 301, for example, allows a 35-foot RV or 30-foot trailer. Reservations open on a six-month rolling window and peak dates are competitive. It is open year-round. Generators are prohibited, bear-safe food storage is required, and no site has water or sewer at the pad. The trade-off is that electric is not full hookup, and a 40-foot maximum is not a 40-foot guarantee.

  • 96 electric sites, the largest RV-friendly inventory inside Sleeping Bear Dunes
  • Free hot showers, flush toilets, potable water and a seasonal dump station
  • Open year-round for fall color, spring trips and prepared winter campers
  • Canoe launch near the entrance and Platte River Point and Lake Michigan down the road
  • Southern location keeps the Dune Climb, Pierce Stocking drive and Glen Arbor within day-trip range
  • !No water or sewer at any site; electric is not full hookup
  • !Generators are prohibited, so a non-electric booking stays non-electric
  • !40-foot maximum is site-dependent (site 301 allows 35-ft RV / 30-ft trailer) and peak reservations are competitive

What our guides say about Platte River Campground

Excerpts from the RV Parks Guide articles that cover this campground. Each links to the full guide.

Our verdict

Book it if you want an electric site, hot showers and a national-lakeshore base for a multi-night family trip. Skip it if you need water and sewer at the pad or rely on a generator.

Platte River Campground: frequently asked questions

Does Platte River Campground have full hookups?

No. Ninety-six sites have electric, but no site has water or sewer connections. A dump station and potable water are available seasonally.

How much does Platte River Campground cost per night?

Non-electric sites are $31 per night. Electric-site prices are date- and site-specific in the official booking flow, and the park entrance pass is separate.

What is the max RV length at Platte River Campground?

NPS lists a 40-foot campground maximum, but the selected site controls. Official electric site 301, for example, allows a 35-foot RV or 30-foot trailer or fifth wheel.

Are there showers at Platte River Campground?

Yes, free hot showers plus flush toilets.

Do you need reservations at Platte River Campground?

Reservations open on a six-month rolling window through Recreation.gov, and peak dates are competitive.

Can you run a generator at Platte River Campground?

No. Generators are prohibited throughout the campground.

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