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Access Site MI

Big Platte Lake

Platte Lake Platte Lake

Source: michigan_department_of_natural_resources Updated 1 year ago

City: Honor, MI
County: Benzie County
Type: Boat Ramp
Location: 44.69610207, -86.12074675
Air Temp: --
Location
Nearby Gauge Conditions
About This Access Site
Big Platte Lake Boat Ramp, located at 4375 Arborvitae Drive in Honor, is a Michigan DNR public access site offering convenient launch facilities for kayakers, canoeists, and small boaters. The ramp provides ample amenities including dedicated boat trailer parking, auto parking, picnic tables, restrooms, and potable water. The site is wheelchair accessible and entrance passes are available for purchase on-site.

The launch provides access to both Big Platte Lake and the scenic Platte River, where it flows toward Lake Michigan. This is a popular destination during summer months, so plan accordingly. The nearby Platte River Campground (a year-round facility within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore) offers overnight accommodation options for extended trips. Note that visiting the national lakeshore requires a separate entrance fee ($25 for 1-7 days or $45 annual pass); the Michigan Recreation Passport is not valid here. Access the ramp via M-22 to County Road 706 to Arborvitae Drive.
Federal Facility Information
231-326-4700 Free Access Reservations Available

Overview
Platte River Campground is located in the southern district of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, on the lower peninsula of Michigan. This year-round facility is one of the most popular campgrounds in the park. It is within walking distance of the Platte River and a short walk or drive away from the Lake Michigan shore. Hikers can access many of the area's day use and backpacking...

Overview
Platte River Campground is located in the southern district of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, on the lower peninsula of Michigan. This year-round facility is one of the most popular campgrounds in the park. It is within walking distance of the Platte River and a short walk or drive away from the Lake Michigan shore. Hikers can access many of the area's day use and backpacking trails just north of the campground.Summer temperatures range from the 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
Campers can hike, canoe, kayak and fish on the river or the lake. There are canoe rentals at nearby Platte River Point, where the river meets the lake (the point also has beach access for those wishing to drive there). 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. Trails to the primitive White Pine backcountry campground are also close by.
Facilities
This facility is well-maintained, well-organized and offers a wide variety of sites, including back-in and pull-through sites with electric hookups for RVs, non-electric sites, walk-to sites, group sites (hike-in, tent-only) and a nearby backcountry campground. Each site has a campfire ring and picnic table. Each loop has restrooms with flush toilets and sinks. Hot showers are also available. The group sites allow no more than 25 people per site; pets and RVs are not permitted in them.Natural Features
The campground lies in a wooded area within walking distance of the Platte River and less than two miles (3.2 km) away from the beaches of Lake Michigan. Although the lakeshore is long and narrow, it has northern hardwood and conifer forests, abandoned farm meadows, wetlands, lakes, streams, bogs and splendid examples of a glacially formed landscape.The most prominent features in the park, and those for which it is named, are the perched sand dunes above Lake Michigan. The overlooks at Sleeping Bear, Empire and Pyramid Point bluffs are about 400 feet (122 m) above the lake. With 65 miles (105 km) of Lake Michigan shoreline and numerous inland lakes and streams, the park is wonderfully water-oriented.

Contact Info
For local information, please call (231) 326-4700 or call (877) 444-6777 for general information.Charges & Cancellations

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Nearby Campgrounds (2 within 10 miles)
PLATTE RIVER CAMPGROUND
On-site Reservable
White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits
On-site Reservable