In my bathroom, I have a photo of a small and compact RV out on the open road. Beside that photo is an empty keychain that says, “Keys to the Camper”. I’ve journaled, I envisioned, and I have planned. And, over the past few weeks, a version of that vision manifested while spending a few days on the Lake Michigan Circle Tour, camping overnight at Platte River Campground at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
While I didn’t quite hit the mark of an RV just yet, we took the first step and for the first time, rented and camped in a uniquely painted campervan that we picked up in Chicago.
Platte River Campground at Sleeping Bear Dunes
On Day 3 of our trip, we headed to Platte River Campground at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore where I made campground reservations weeks in advance. I was so thankful that I was able to get a reservation with an electric hook-up because unbeknownst to me getting reservations in and near a national park is insanely challenging, let alone a site with an electric hook-up. It’s now summer; people are traveling and reservations fill quickly.
In fact, when we were checking out of our site and I went to recite the pledge for my Junior Ranger badge and patch, an older woman was disruptive and highly emotionally charged about a reservation that she had. She didn’t want to listen to what the ranger had to say and was upset that she had to return to her vehicle to bring back her National Park Pass.
If I have learned nothing else on my National Parks journey this year, it is that Park Rangers do not play about not having your America the Beautiful National Park Pass.
So, a word of advice…
If you plan on traveling to a handful of national parks, do yourself a favor, spend the $80, and get yourself a National Park Pass. We have been to about five national parks this year and the pass has paid for itself, especially when admission to a national park can easily be $25 for the day not including camping.
Other Recreational Memberships
In addition to my America the Beautiful National Park Pass, I also have a Harvest Host membership which allows us to have overnight stays at some of the most beautiful places around the United States. We used it for the first time on the second night of our Lake Michigan Circle Tour and stayed at an alpaca farm. It was such a delightful experience and I can’t wait to write more about it in the coming weeks.
Speaking of my Harvest Host membership, I learned of an app called CampScanner that will alert you of last-minute openings at any of the National Parks, State Parks, or other campsites in their database. While there is a nominal membership fee for the app, it seems well worth it if you have plans on camping often during a single year.
Our Campground Experience
Aside from all of this, we enjoyed our time at the campground. Once we arrived, we didn’t explore or do much. Instead, we used our time to cook, eat, relax, talk, and laugh. We also charged our portable power station which can be found here on Amazon.
The power station was essential since we spent the majority of our time in and around the campervan. While the campervan had solar panels at the top to keep the cooler running, I didn’t want to rely solely on the campervan’s solar power.
The campground was lively and beautiful. It seemed to be at capacity with campers at each site. Families were riding their bikes, walking their dogs, and simply enjoying time in nature with their loved ones. My heart was so full of joy being there.
Junior Ranger Book Activities
As the evening grew closer, we worked through the Sleeping Bear Dunes Junior Ranger book. I was so serious about getting my 11 activities done so that I could say the pledge the next morning and earn my badge – as a grown adult. Ha!
As I worked through my activities, I noticed that I could do the Service Project and earn my patch and that’s exactly what I did. I picked up trash around our campground on the way to the restroom to earn my patch.
Although it was the easiest of the service projects, it was the most difficult because the campground was vastly clean. I had to work hard to find small pieces of paper to pick up.
The next morning before checking out, as I mentioned earlier, I went to the Ranger Station to turn in my booklet, recite my pledge, and earn my goodies because my children didn’t want to. Ha!
So, here I am, a 40-something-year-old woman, earning my first Junior Ranger badge and patch at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. What a way to heal your inner child! I am so proud of myself!
Final Thoughts
In summary, our time spent at Platte River Campground met my expectations and I am so grateful for the opportunity. If we ever make plans to camp along the Lake Michigan Circle Tour again in the future, I will certainly return. If not, it has left a wonderful impression etched in my mind and heart.
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