White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits

About White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits

Overview 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. Plan to pack your water into the campsite, as there is no well in the campground. Summer temperatures range from upper 70s to 90 degrees F (25° to 32° C) during the day, and from the 50s to 70 degrees F (10° to 25° C) at night. Winters are cold, with daytime highs from 20° to 30° F (-7° to -1° C) and lows in the 10s and 20s F (-12° to -7° C). Snow is usually on the ground from late November through March. Recreation The Platte Plains trail system boasts more than 25 miles (40 km) of trails, some of which can be accessed a short walk away from the campground. Facilities This year-round campground has six campsites, two shared fire rings, pit toilet, and two shared animal resistant food storage lockers. Plan to pack your water into the campsite, as there is no well in the campground. Pack it in, pack it out. Whatever you bring in, you are responsible for bringing out. Trash receptacles are not provided. Natural Features The campground is within wilderness. Designated Wilderness areas are the most protected public lands in America. They are managed with restraint to preserve characteristics of wilderness and solitude. The Sleeping Bear Dunes Wilderness, within the boundaries of the Lakeshore, is over 30,000 acres. The beaches of Lake Michigan are about 1/2 mile (0.80 km) walk from camp. Although the lakeshore is long and narrow, it has northern hardwood and conifer forests, abandoned farm meadows, wetlands, lakes, streams, bogs, and splended examples of glacially formed landscape. The most prominent features in the park, and

How to Get 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 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ FROM THE SOUTH (US-31 / M-115): At the junction of US-31 and M-115, continue north for seven miles. Turn left onto Platte Road. Proceed five miles and turn right onto M-22. To Peterson Road: Drive 1.5 miles to Peterson Road - turn left Drive 1.5 miles to the trailhead unloading zone on the right To Platte Plains Ski Trail Parking: Drive 4.5 miles - the trailhead parking area will be on the left To Trails End Road: Drive 5 miles to Trails End Road turn left Drive 1 mile to the trailhead

What to Pack for Your Stay

Tuned to the live forecast for this park.

Plan Your Visit to White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits

Heading to White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits? A few things to know before you go:

• Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
• Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
• Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
• Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
• Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go

References & Official Resources

• Official Recreation.gov page
• View on OpenStreetMap
• Driving directions (Google Maps)