White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits

2.27

19 reviews

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Check Site

Sites

6 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore site

Get Directions

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Check Site

Sites

6 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore site

Get Directions

White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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What Campers Say

2.27

Mixed Reviews

Based on 19 reviews

11 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietpeacefulshadehiking

"Reviews are sharply split: many campers love White Pine Backcountry Campground for its quiet, tucked‑away feel, short hike, and proximity to a beautiful, uncrowded Lake Michigan beach. Others report serious issues with access roads, confusing GPS/map info, and extremely intense mosquitoes, with a few describing costly vehicle recoveries and tickets for camping in the wrong place."

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Best Time to Camp at White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits

Summer at White Pine brings warm days perfect for hiking to nearby Lake Michigan beaches, with temperatures climbing into the upper 70s to 90°F, cooling to comfortable 50s and 70s come nightfall. Winter transforms the landscape into a snow-draped wonderland from late November through March, where daytime highs hover around 20° to 30°F and nights dip into the teens—ideal for experienced winter campers seeking solitude among frost-covered pines.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm days. Most facilities open. Reserve ahead.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Snow activities available. Some facilities may close. Check conditions.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Open year-round

About White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits

Nestled two miles into the wilderness along the Platte Plains hiking trail, White Pine Backcountry Campground offers six primitive campsites where adventure-seekers can truly disconnect. This year-round backcountry haven in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore comes equipped with shared fire rings, a pit toilet, and bear-proof food lockers—but you'll carry in your water and carry out your memories (and trash) in true Leave No Trace fashion.

Primitive backcountry campground located within designated wilderness. The site is year-round and comprises six campsites intended for backcountry/primitive camping.

Historical SignificanceYour campsite sits within the protected Sleeping Bear Dunes Wilderness, part of the nationally treasured Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The park takes its evocative name from the towering perched sand dunes and dramatic overlooks that have captivated visitors for generations, preserving a landscape shaped by ancient glaciers and centuries of Great Lakes history.

Weather and SeasonsSummer at White Pine brings warm days perfect for hiking to nearby Lake Michigan beaches, with temperatures climbing into the upper 70s to 90°F, cooling to comfortable 50s and 70s come nightfall. Winter transforms the landscape into a snow-draped wonderland from late November through March, where daytime highs hover around 20° to 30°F and nights dip into the teens—ideal for experienced winter campers seeking solitude among frost-covered pines.

ElevationWhile the campground itself rests in a forested lowland, nearby overlooks at Sleeping Bear, Empire, and Pyramid Point soar approximately 400 feet above Lake Michigan's shimmering waters, offering breathtaking vistas that reward those willing to explore beyond camp.

Natural Features and SceneryWhite Pine sits cradled within a diverse tapestry of northern hardwood and conifer forests, where towering pines give way to reclaimed meadows that once knew the plow. Within a half-mile walk, Lake Michigan's beaches beckon with their sandy shores, while the surrounding wilderness weaves together wetlands, clear streams, quiet bogs, and hidden lakes. The park's signature perched sand dunes—geological marvels sculpted by glaciers millennia ago—rise majestically at overlooks like Sleeping Bear, Empire, and Pyramid Point, creating one of the Midwest's most striking landscapes.

Geological RegionSet within Michigan's Lower Peninsula, this campground occupies a remarkable glacially-carved landscape where ancient ice sheets left behind a legacy of perched sand dunes, kettle lakes, and rolling terrain. The region showcases the dynamic interplay between northern hardwood forests, evergreen stands, wetland ecosystems, and the ever-present influence of Lake Michigan's massive freshwater expanse.

Campsite details

Total Campsites6 campsites

Recommended CampsitesPack and carry your own water; pack out all trash. Use the two shared animal-resistant food storage lockers for food storage. Beach access is about a 1/2 mile walk from camp.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive are allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutSix primitive campsites arranged within a wilderness setting; facilities include two shared fire rings, a pit toilet, and two shared animal-resistant food storage lockers.

Open and Closed SeasonOpen year-round

Amenities available

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Backcountry campground located near an extensive trail system and about 1/2 mile from Lake Michigan beaches; situated within the Sleeping Bear Dunes Wilderness offering opportunities for trail access and solitude. The park and surrounding area are water-oriented with shoreline, inland lakes and streams.

Hiking

The Platte Plains trail system offers more than 25 miles (40 km) of trails; some trails are a short walk from the campground. The campground is about two miles from the Trail's End Road trailhead on the Platte Plains hiking trail.

Winter Activities

Winters are cold with daytime highs from 20° to 30° F (-7° to -1° C), lows in the 10s and 20s F (-12° to -7° C), and snow usually on the ground from late November through March.

Water Sports

The park is water-oriented with Lake Michigan shoreline and numerous inland lakes and streams; beaches are within walking distance of the campground.

Campground rules

Pets are not allowed
Two shared fire rings are provided. No specific fire restrictions or permitting information is provided in the source material.

Hazards

General hazardsPrimitive backcountry conditions; no well or potable water at the campground (campers must pack in water). Cold winter temperatures and seasonal snow (late November through March) may present hazards. Other typical wilderness hazards implied by location (not specifically detailed).

Weather at White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits

°F

Dec 11

Thursday

Partly cloudy

Precipitation: 0%

Humidity: 65%

Wind: 18.4 mph

Partly cloudy

Weather History

Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

Detailed 7-Day Forecast

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Good to know

Trash and recyclingPack it in, pack it out; trash receptacles are not provided.

Proximity to water featuresBeaches of Lake Michigan are about 1/2 mile (0.80 km) walk from camp; the park contains numerous inland lakes and streams within the park boundaries.

Campground Map

White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits

Driving directionsFROM THE EAST (Traverse City): Take M-72 west to Empire, turn south on M-22. To Trails End Road: drive 6 miles to Trails End Road and turn right, then drive 1 mile to the trailhead. To Platte Plains Ski Trail Parking: drive 6.5 miles (parking on the right). To Peterson Road: drive 9.5 miles to Peterson Road, turn right, then drive 1.5 miles to the trailhead unloading zone on the right. FROM THE SOUTH (US-31 / M-115): At junction of US-31 and M-115 continue north 7 miles, turn left onto Platte Road, proceed 5 miles and turn right onto M-22. To Peterson Road: drive 1.5 miles to Peterson Road and turn left, then drive 1.5 miles to the trailhead unloading zone on the right. To Platte Plains Ski Trail Parking: drive 4.5 miles (parking on the left). To Trails End Road: drive 5 miles to Trails End Road, turn left, then drive 1 mile to the trailhead.

Accessible via State Highway M-22; campground is approximately two miles from the Trails End Road trailhead on the Platte Plains hiking trail.

Nearby places

Empire (adjacent)

directions also referenced from Traverse City. Specific trailhead and parking mileages are detailed in driving directions.

Reviews from booking and map sources

2.3

19 reviews

Mixed Reviews

White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews are sharply split: many campers love White Pine Backcountry Campground for its quiet, tucked‑away feel, short hike, and proximity to a beautiful, uncrowded Lake Michigan beach. Others report serious issues with access roads, confusing GPS/map info, and extremely intense mosquitoes, with a few describing costly vehicle recoveries and tickets for camping in the wrong place.

Review Summaries

Based on 19 reviews

What Campers Love

Campers consistently praise the peaceful, quiet atmosphere and the small size of the campground (about six sites), which helps it feel secluded. The sites and trails are described as well maintained,...

Based on 19 reviews

Common Concerns

Multiple reviewers report severe mosquito problems, describing being “bit alive” and needing strong bug spray or protection. Several warn that the access by vehicle can be dangerous: the...

Based on 19 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring serious mosquito protection (strong repellent, possibly head nets or other coverage); multiple reviews emphasize how intense the bugs can be, especially in warmer months. Do not attempt to...

Based on 19 reviews

Camper Quotes

“The campsite is really nice and tucked away with a really easy hike. The hike is about 1.5 miles to the campsite and then you are about .5 mile from the your own private beach off of Lake...

Based on 19 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Several reviews note there are only six designated sites, each able to hold two to three tents comfortably, and that the sites themselves are well maintained and quiet. No reviewers describe...

Based on 19 reviews

Accessibility Features

Access is described as a 1.5–2 mile walk from the parking area on generally flat dirt trail that transitions to softer sand in places, with some minor elevation where the trail climbs to avoid swampy...

Based on 19 reviews