Camping

South Manitou Island

Camping is permitted at three locations on this island – 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 Microbears (aka the chipmunks!). There is no transportation to the campgrounds, so all camping gear and supplies must be packed in and out.  Wagons are not permitted to the campgrounds.  Coolers with wheels are allowed but must be carried.  Nothing wheeled can be taken on the trails to the campgrounds.

**As long as you have boat reservations, you are guaranteed a camping permit. Campsites are first come, first served. The individual sites are available to anyone scheduled on our ferry.  For individual campers, reservations are not taken. For large groups, reservations are taken as noted below.***

FOR GROUP RESERVATIONS, CALL 1-877-444-6777 OR http://www.recreation.gov (ONLY FOR SMI GROUP SITES)

THERE ARE FEES FOR CAMPING WHICH ARE PAID TO THE NATIONAL PARK.  ALL THE CAMPING FEES ARE PAID IN OUR TICKET OFFICE WHEN YOU CHECK IN.

CAMPING FEES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

INDIVIDUAL SITES:  $10.00/SITE MAXIMUM 4 PEOPLE/2 TENTS

GROUP SITES ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE LINK BELOW.  IF GROUP SITES ARE FULL, GROUPS CAN STILL BE ACCOMMODATED THROUGH INDIVIDUAL SITES.

NPS LINK: CAMPING ON SMI http://www.nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/smicamping.htm

North Manitou Island

Now here is a camping trip! 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, back-country 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.

THERE ARE FEES FOR CAMPING WHICH ARE PAID TO THE NATIONAL PARK.  ALL THE CAMPING FEES ARE PAID IN OUR TICKET OFFICE WHEN YOU CHECK IN.

CAMPING FEES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

INDIVIDUAL CAMPING PERMITS:  $10.00 PER NIGHT/MAXIMUM 4 PEOPLE/TWO TENTS.

GROUP CAMPING PERMITS:  $20.00 PER NIGHT/MAXIMUM 10 PEOPLE.

NPS LINK: CAMPING ON NMI http://www.nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/nmicamping.htm

TICK INFORMATION: http://www.nps.gov/slbe/naturescience/ticks.htm

NOTICE TO CAMPERS:  MANITOU ISLAND TRANSIT MAKES EVERY EFFORT TO SAIL ON SCHEDULE, HOWEVER, WE CANNOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR INCONVENIENCES RESULTING FROM DELAYS.

*this includes wind and weather issues.  That being said, campers should always pack extra food in the event that we are unable to run.  Lake Michigan, especially early spring and fall, can change quickly, causing us to cancel trips.

MANITOU ISLAND TRANSIT IS AUTHORIZED WITHIN SLEEPING BEAR DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE TO PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING SERVICES:  FERRY TRANSPORTATION SERVICE TO NORTH AND SOUTH MANITOU ISLAND, MOTORIZED GUIDED LAND TOURS OF SOUTH MANITOU ISLAND, TRANSPORTATION OF PERSONAL WATERCRAFT, AND CHARTER TRANSPORTATION SERVICES TO NORTH AND SOUTH MANITOU ISLANDS.

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