Platte River Campground is at the base of The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and is a great place to set up camp to explore the area.
While the surrounding area is amazing and has a lot to explore, here’s the scoop on what the park itself has to offer! There are great campsites, picnic areas, beaches, trails - and more!
There are great campsites, picnic areas, beaches, trails - and more!
Campsites
The Platte River Campground is a great place to set up camp. There are 4 Loops in the campground with back-in or pull-through sites for RVs as well as great sites for tents. Sites are spacious and fairly flat with long paved sections. They are surrounded by woods and feel fairly private. They come with a fire pit and picnic table. There is also a Group Camping area for large groups. Lastly, there are Walk In Sites for backpackers.
Amenities
There is a ranger station and bathrooms at the entrance of the park, an amphitheater, firewood vending machine, and several handicap accommodations. Each loop has one restroom that is clean and eco friendly. The showers are some of the best we’ve had! They have lots of space, nice hot water, and a vent/window at the top so they do not get too foggy. They also have a dish washing station by the showers.
Trails
There is a beginner trail along the back of the park that also leads out to Peterson Beach. There is also a shorter, intermediate trail to and from the beach. Both are not too hard, the intermediate has more ups and downs, getting your heart rate up a little more! The beginner is perfect if you’re heading to the beach with any beach equipment.
Parks, Picnic Areas, and Water Access
At the entrance of the park is the Platte River Picnic Area. It is a huge area with lots of tables, grills, bathrooms, and nice pavilions. There is also a Canoe Launch where there’s water access for small boats. There’s a small river walk, lots of benches, as well as a fish cleaning station for fishermen. There’s lots of parking and it is a great place to spend some time.
At the other end, there is Platte River Point. This has a large boat launch/water access, picnic tables and grills, benches, and is the ending point for tubers. There’s ample parking as well as nice bathrooms. Both of these areas you do need to pay for parking or have the National Park Pass.
However, in the middle is El Dorado Park, which has a small parking lot and water access, and you do not need a pass to park here.
Beach Please
For beaches there is Peterson Beach, which you can walk to on the trail, or drive to on the rugged Peterson Rd. It is a beautiful beach with amazing views, but the water is usually fairly cold - at least the few times we've been there.
At Platte River Point you can easily swim, and get to somewhat of a beach. However as it is where the river meets the lake, it is a little awkward for a “beach day” type experience.
Beulah Beach in Crystal Lake is nearby and more suited for an all day beach day. Check out details here.
Our video below is a thorough drive through of the park, with close ups and great views. Check it out to get a real feel for the park.
Also check out this post for more details on the surrounding area and all the great activities and attractions at your fingertips!
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