Platte River Campground Introduce
Looking for "camping near me" in a beautiful natural setting with access to both a scenic river and the shores of Lake Michigan? Platte River Campground, located at 5685 Lake Michigan Rd, Honor, MI 49640, USA, with phone numbers (231) 326-4700 and +1 231-326-4700, offers a compelling option. Based on customer reviews, this campground provides a lovely environment with well-maintained facilities and access to a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking and exploring the Platte River and Lake Michigan.
Several reviewers have highlighted the beauty of the campground. One camper who stayed during the off-season described it as "beautiful" with "fairly private" sites. The Platte River itself is also noted for its beauty, adding to the scenic appeal of the location. Another reviewer who experienced winter camping at Sleeping Bear Dunes specifically mentioned that "The Platte River campground is beautiful," further emphasizing the aesthetic quality of the area.
The levelness of the parking pads for campers is also appreciated, with one RV camper stating, "The pads for parking campers seem very level, ours was perfect!" This is an important factor for RVers looking for a hassle-free setup. Additionally, the helpfulness and kindness of the park rangers encountered by visitors have been commended, contributing to a positive overall experience.
In terms of facilities, the bathrooms at Platte River Campground are reported to be clean, which is always a significant plus for campers. Even during the winter months, one reviewer noted the presence of a "heated and modern bathroom," indicating a commitment to guest comfort even in the off-season. Furthermore, some campsites are equipped with electricity, providing added convenience for those who need it.
One of the key features of Platte River Campground is its proximity to Lake Michigan. It's mentioned that Lake Michigan is about a mile hike from the campground via a trail starting at campground loop 2. For those who enjoy walking or skiing, this provides easy access to the lake's shoreline. Alternatively, a 2.5-mile walk or a short drive via the paved road will take you to a township park at the end, where parking is available for a fee during warmer months and offers beautiful views.
The campground also serves as a gateway to plenty of other hiking opportunities in the area. This makes it an excellent base for those who enjoy exploring on foot. While the iconic large dunes of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (often seen in pictures) are located several miles to the north, requiring a drive or bike ride to reach, Platte River Campground still offers access to stunning natural landscapes and trails.
For those considering winter camping, Platte River Campground appears to be a viable option. One reviewer found winter camping at Sleeping Bear Dunes "definitely doable" and praised Platte River Campground for having better spacing between sites compared to Michigan State Campgrounds, along with the heated and modern bathroom and some electric hookups available even in January. The ease of access to the park during winter is also noted, with main roads being cleared quickly despite lake effect snow.
While the majority of the feedback is positive, one reviewer did mention a couple of drawbacks. Firstly, they noted that at many sites, the fire ring and picnic table are located on a pad behind the camper, which might be less convenient for some RV setups, though this would not affect tent campers. Secondly, they reported a negative encounter with a new camp host who was described as rude and imposing his political beliefs on guests. However, the reviewer hoped for a different host upon their return, suggesting that this might have been an isolated incident.
The overall positive experiences seem to outweigh the negatives, as evidenced by one camper being "impressed enough" to have scheduled a campsite for the summer, noting that it "looks like it's totally amazing then," as indicated by the high number of reservations. This suggests that Platte River Campground is a popular destination during the warmer months, likely due to the combination of its natural beauty and access to various activities.
Considering the "camping near me" category, Platte River Campground in Honor, MI, offers a fantastic opportunity for local users to enjoy the beauty of the Sleeping Bear Dunes area and Lake Michigan. Its features include beautiful and fairly private campsites, clean and even heated bathrooms, some electric hookups, and direct or easy access to the Platte River, Lake Michigan (via a mile-long trail), and other hiking trails. While there's a mention of a potentially inconvenient placement of fire rings and picnic tables at some RV sites, and a negative interaction with one camp host, the overall sentiment is positive, particularly regarding the natural environment and facilities.
For local residents looking for a camping getaway that combines scenic beauty with convenient amenities and access to outdoor recreation, Platte River Campground is definitely worth considering. Whether you're interested in hiking, exploring the lake, or simply relaxing in a beautiful setting, this campground appears to offer a great experience across different seasons. Just be aware of the potential layout of some RV sites and hope for a welcoming camp host during your visit. Contact them at (231) 326-4700 to inquire about site availability and any specific concerns you might have.
In conclusion, Platte River Campground near Sleeping Bear Dunes and Lake Michigan in Honor, MI, provides a beautiful camping environment with fairly private sites, clean facilities, and access to hiking and the lake. It's suitable for both tent and RV campers, with some electric sites available. While there have been minor concerns raised about site layout for some RVs and an isolated issue with a camp host, the overall feedback emphasizes the campground's beauty and convenient location for exploring the natural wonders of the area. Local users searching for "camping near me" should consider Platte River Campground for their next outdoor adventure, especially if they appreciate scenic beauty and access to both river and lake activities.
Platte River Campground Photos









Platte River Campground Location
Platte River Campground
5685 Lake Michigan Rd, Honor, MI 49640, USA
Platte River Campground5685 Lake Michigan Rd
White Pines Backcountry CampgroundHonor
Beulah Village RV Park310 Lake St
Llovely Meadows Campgrounds1176 West St
Empire Township Campground7264 W Osborn Rd
Winding River Campground2080 Benzie Hwy
Frankfort Michigan Seasonal Rental818 Forest Ave
Platte River State Forest CampgroundGoose Rd
Betsie River Campsite1923 River Rd
Benzonia Rustic Resort2399 Dam Rd
Timberline Campground2788 Benzie Hwy US-31
Veterans Memorial State Forest CampgroundBeulah
Garey Lake State Forest Campground14000 County Line Rd
Platte River Campground Reviews
We camped during the off season. The campground is beautiful, sites are fairly private. There is so much to see and the Platte River is beautiful. All the Rangers we encountered were super helpful and kind. The bathrooms were clean. Lake Michigan is about a mile hike from the campground. The pads for parking campers seem very level, ours was perfect!Only two complaints. A LOT of the sites have the fire ring and picnic table on a pad that is behind the camper. But, for tents this won't matter. Then, on our last night at the park, the new camp host arrived. He was quite rude and starting shoving his political beliefs in my husband's face amongst other things. Some guy from Iowa. Hopefully there's a different host when we return!
Apr 30, 2025 · courtney chandlerWinter camping at Sleeping Bear Dunes is definitely doable. The Platte River campground is beautiful and pretty empty except for the ranger. The campground has better space between the sites than the State of Michigan Campgrounds, by far. And a heated and modern bathroom, even in January, and even some electric equipped campsites.It's about a 1 mile walk/ski to the Lake Michigan shoreline from here via a trail that starts at campground loop 2. And plenty of other hiking from the campgrounds. If you would rather drive, or are in for a 2.5 mile walk, you can take the paved road to the end. There is a township park there (fee for parking in warmer months) and the views are beautiful.No trouble getting to the park - the main roads are cleared quickly, even with lake effect snow. I was impressed enough that we've scheduled a campsite for summer. Looks like it's totally amazing then, and the number of reservations really shows that.Note: those big dunes in the park (see pics) are north of here several miles. So you will likely want to drive or bike to that.
Jan 10, 2025 · Jack GlazkoNice campgrounds. Very wooded and close to plenty of water for fishing and kayaking. Lake Michigan is a quarter mile hike away, and the Platte River has float trips close by. There are several walk-in tent sites that are accessible by trail. But these campsites are basic with only a firepit and tent pad. Clean bathrooms are a short walk and come with hot water, cleaning station, and showers. Definitely worth a visit
Oct 01, 2024 · Carter AlanBeautiful campground with semi private sites. We stayed at the Platte River Campground at Sleeping Bear. Apparently there is more than one campground there. Really Clean (I’m OCD), friendly people, and forest service staff on site. I believe we paid $31 a night for our site. Evening educational programs and there is a railroad grade that you can walk on down to the Lake.If you’re over 62, get the America the Beautiful pass for 50% off of camping and free admission to the national parks.
Jul 15, 2024 · K GVery wooded sites. We initially stayed in loop 4 with no electricity. Some sites were very close to each other whereas others had trees separating them. We moved to loop 2 our second night to have electricity. Both loops had spacious showers but only 2 in each building. So both nights we had to wait in line and shower after 11pm. The bugs weren't horrible, we had our Thermacell running and it seems to help keep them away. Went to climb the public dune with our dogs, they loved it. Then took the scenic drive to the huge dune that gives way to Lake Michigan. You know the one that will cost you 3k to get help coming back up. Last we checked out the Platte River where it runs into Lake Michigan. My son found a Petoskey stone. Would definitely come back to this one.
Jul 10, 2024 · Melissa Fisher
More Camping Near Me
White Pines Backcountry Campground3.0 (14 reviews)Honor, MI 49640, USA
Beulah Village RV Park0.0 (0 reviews)310 Lake St, Beulah, MI 49617, USA
Llovely Meadows Campgrounds4.0 (7 reviews)1176 West St, Benzonia, MI 49616, USA
Empire Township Campground4.0 (143 reviews)7264 W Osborn Rd, Empire, MI 49630, USA
Winding River Campground3.0 (245 reviews)2080 Benzie Hwy, Benzonia, MI 49616, USA
Frankfort Michigan Seasonal Rental4.0 (4 reviews)818 Forest Ave, Frankfort, MI 49635, USA
Platte River State Forest Campground4.0 (102 reviews)Goose Rd, Beulah, MI 49617, USA
Betsie River Campsite4.0 (391 reviews)1923 River Rd, Frankfort, MI 49635, USA
Benzonia Rustic Resort4.0 (59 reviews)2399 Dam Rd, Benzonia, MI 49616, USA
Timberline Campground4.0 (225 reviews)2788 Benzie Hwy US-31, Benzonia, MI 49616, USA
Veterans Memorial State Forest Campground4.0 (71 reviews)Beulah, MI 49617, USA
Garey Lake State Forest Campground0.0 (0 reviews)14000 County Line Rd, Empire, MI 49630, USA
Categories
Popular Camping Sites
Tony’s Campground5.0 (9 reviews)
West Side Park/Campground4.0 (17 reviews)
Pradera Estates5.0 (49 reviews)
Camp Strake Campsite 85.0 (2 reviews)
Spanish Flat Campground4.0 (82 reviews)
Lehman's Lakeside RV Resort3.0 (232 reviews)Most Searched Camping Sites
Trending Camping Blog Posts
10 Must-Visit Campgrounds in the Midwest for Your Next Outdoor Adventure
Romantic Camping Spots for Couples: Perfect Getaways in Nature
Ultimate Guide to Off the Grid Camping in Remote Locations
How to Cook Over a Campfire Safely for an Enjoyable Outdoor Experience
Vanlife in Winter: My Personal Experience Living on the Road
From City to Camp: My Journey to Nature and What I Learned 
