Michigan › Leelanau County › Empire › D.H. Day Campground

D.H. Day Campground, MI - Latest Reviews, Photos & Campground Map

D.H. Day Campground in Leelanau County is located 44 min west of Traverse City, MI with an elevation of 588 feet. There are a total of 81 campsites including 19 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the end of April to the end of November. 62 sites can accommodate RVs between 15 and 87 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $10.00 per night. Some amenities include drinking water, sewer hookup, swimming, restroom, amphitheater, firewood. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
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AmphitheaterBeach accessBeach pathBoardwalk to the beach at D.H. DayD.H. DayD.H. Day beachD.H. Day CampgroundD.H. Day Campground entrance signD.H. Day Campground MapD.H. Day Campground Ranger StationDump stationFlooding at water spigot and restroom trail (SITES 1-31 & 85 CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE AS OF6/15/2Generator loop entranceHistorical log cabin (not for use)Ranger StationRoadway flooding in generator loop (SITES 1-31 & 85 CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE AS OF6/15/20)Site and roadway flooding (SITES 1-31 & 85 CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE AS OF6/15/20)Site flooding in generator loop (SITES 1-31 & 85 CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE AS OF6/15/20)Site flooding in generator loop (SITES 1-31 & 85 CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE AS OF6/15/20).Sleeping Bear Heritage trail accessSleeping Bear Heritage Trail at D.H. DayView of the Manitou Islands from the D.H. Day beach
$20

D.H. Day

371 reviews
Total sites: 81
Available Today: 81 FF*
Available this Weekend: 81 FF*
Booking Window: 6 months

588 ft
49°F
44°F

fair
Tents allowedRV's allowedTrailers allowedElectric HookupsWater hookupsSewer hookupsAccessible sitesRestroomHiking trailsBiking trailsBoatingFloating sportsFishing
*First-come/First-served (FF) sites have no availability guarantee.
Sa
46°
41°
Su
49°
39°
Mo
53°
47°
Tu
52°
46°
We
51°
43°
Th
48°
47°
Fr
49°
45°

Campsite Reviews (371)

4.5 out of 5

5 star
63%
4 star
23%
3 star
6%
2 star
5%
1 star
1%
@KimS7922535 · Camped on Oct 15, 2025 at Campsite #31
Great location, beautiful beach, close to amazing town!
@SusanB4210667 · Camped on Oct 12, 2025 at Campsite #85
Wonderfully quiet campground.
@LuisLB908EF075 · Camped on Oct 12, 2025
The camp was great. Rangers were helpful and very nice even with the current shutdown. The map for the campground does not show the locations of the toilets, so we decided to change camp sites upon arrival. Site 40 is for example next to the toilets and the smell could be strong at the site. The camp sites had good space, and it is nice to be so close to the lake.
@KaylaGFF52D648 · Camped on Oct 11, 2025 at Campsite #86
Favorite place to camp
@arunass27DCB7C · Camped on Oct 11, 2025 at Campsite #21
Great campground, but make sure you know what poison ivy looks like before booking this particular campsite.
@FredrickEDBB27 · Camped on Oct 9, 2025 at Campsite #5
Close to the big lake. A variety of camp sites. Friendly and courteous staff. Lots to do and see between Glen Arbor and Leland.
@NoahM84DE73EBC · Camped on Oct 5, 2025 at Campsite #59
Greatest time ever
@EricD4044ADBCE · Camped on Oct 3, 2025 at Campsite #59
Was able to secure 59. Doesnt feel like a "walk-in" and has a private - yet narrow - path to the beach. Highly coveted spot. People post about the rustic privacy of DH Day. Rustic, yes. Private, not really. Pit bathroom smell was not overwhelming as others shared, but this was also likely due to the time of year we went. We will absolutely stay again at the north walk-ins. Had an odd experience with one of the rangers. He may have been having a bad day.
@GwennS7909EFBD · Camped on Oct 3, 2025 at Campsite #10
There was NO WiFi for campers. Why has this service been removed for campers?
@KellyW1008717 · Camped on Oct 3, 2025 at Campsite #62
Wonderful, quiet, easy access to beach and trails.
@JohnF7443050 · Camped on Sep 28, 2025 at Campsite #50
The park and campsite were perfect to post up for a couple days of sea kayaking and biking the Heritage trail. The campsite was great for a large tent and a hammock. It felt plenty private with trees and space between the sites. The site was a short walk to the beach access trail which is not long and has a board walk surface that makes carting a sea kayak back and forth so easy. Kayaking is spectacular - south around Sleeping Bear Point to Empire or north around Pryamid Point into beautiful Good Harbor Bay. You can paddle out and back or set yourself up with a bike shuttle on the Heritage Trail if youre solo. Thats a great way to experience the beautiful nature this place has to offer.
@DebbieW1005264 · Camped on Sep 27, 2025 at Campsite #89
Rangers are kind and helpful. Sites are clean and spacious. I walked to the beach from my camp site. Boardwalk that goes from campground to lake Michigan. Enjoyed riding my bike to Glen Arbor, and Dune Clinb. Heritage trail is paved and goes through the campground.
@ColinRF6B0AADF · Camped on Sep 27, 2025 at Campsite #30
Would definitely stay here again. Staff was welcoming and friendly and the campground is clean and well maintained. Vault toilets are also well kept. Site was level and included area free of most obstructions for my tent. Campground has easy walking access to a beautiful stretch of sandy beach. It is also just a few minutes drive from Pierce Stocking Scenic drive which is beautiful and includes an awe inspiring view over lake Michigan from the top of a giant dune. Absolutely would recomend for anyone wanting the ammenities of a rustic campground. All that said, the campground accomodates many sites and alot of people - not a location for remote camping.
@AnnP5053744 · Camped on Sep 26, 2025 at Campsite #4
Love DH Day!!! Clean sites and toilets, lovely sand beach, right on the heritage trail, and while sites are close together they feel private, and campground host was helpful when wood shed needed to be refilled. (He went and found wood that was left at another site for us.) Can't wait to go again next year!
@Alexandra48129 · Camped on Sep 26, 2025 at Campsite #11
great weekend campground. very chill and clean.
@SeanD7997205 · Camped on Sep 26, 2025 at Campsite #45
The campground was easy to navigate, clean, and use instructions were clear. The vault toilets were well maintained and the ones we used were not unfriendly experiences. While there we noticed people actively cleaning the campground so I'm sure this quality experience did not happen by accident. The bike trail was accessible near by, the beach was pleasant, and we enjoyed the museum nearby as well. The space between campsites was adequate to feel like a true camping experience. The stars were lovely to see at night and town wasn't far away which made for a nice hearty breakfast one morning. Wildlife was also active as we got to see a porcupine and had a fisher visit our campground (paw print evidence on the car by morning). I'd recommend this family friendly campground to anyone prepared to go without flush toilets and sinks and enjoy a bit more outdoors than campgrounds closer to urban centers can offer.
@RogerS2467741 · Camped on Sep 23, 2025 at Campsite #7
Quiet and nice. Had bad weather! )>:
@JayeB8A428BA01 · Camped on Sep 21, 2025 at Campsite #52
Had a good time there, unfortunately the northern lights were not out while we were there :). Only issue was trying to make a reservation, took many different sites trying to find one that would let the reservation to be made.
@KurtH2863894 · Camped on Sep 19, 2025 at Campsite #16
clean pit toilets. campsites were close together, but campers were quiet and respectful. water source was clean with fountain and spigot options.
@AlisaS6142352 · Camped on Sep 18, 2025 at Campsite #48
It was great, love hearing the waves from my campsite.
@GrahamA3A4EEE0 · Camped on Sep 17, 2025 at Campsite #64
We really enjoyed our stay at D.H. Day Campground. Our site was large and private, a short walk to the beautiful and very quiet beach. We were close to the well maintained vault toilets and also right next to the Heritage Trail which was very nice for an enjoyable bike ride to Empire and back (about 19 miles round trip). We enjoyed visiting the various sights in the area. The Pierce Stocking Scenic drive is recommended and we had a very nice time hiking the Cottonwood trail at stop #4 on the drive (about 1.7 miles, 50 min).
@jacobh5114567 · Camped on Sep 17, 2025 at Campsite #68
Very quiet and clean campground! Perfect for my first visit!
@JUDYH8983006 · Camped on Sep 16, 2025 at Campsite #80
Carefully read the rules before setting up. Poison ivy can be a problem. Otherwise, nice campground, close to the museum, etc. We plan on going back with grandchildren.
@JohnG7676070 · Camped on Sep 14, 2025 at Campsite #39
Great place to ride a bicycle.
@JanF8932194 · Camped on Sep 14, 2025 at Campsite #10
Camp sites were ready when we arrived. Picnic table, fire pit and flat spot to tent camp were nice. Water available close by. Fire wood available too. Camping spots were close but we had nice neighbors. Short walk to get to the shore. Close to sleeping Bear Dunes National Shoreline. Bike trails available. I would recommend the DH campground.

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