Leelanau Pines Campground
Quick Facts
Why the Leelanau Peninsula & Sleeping Bear Dunes
Cedar is a small, under-the-radar town in the heart of the Leelanau Peninsula, just a short drive from Traverse City and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore — the 50,000-acre stretch of dunes, forest, and Lake Michigan shoreline once voted Good Morning America’s “Most Beautiful Place in America.” The wider peninsula is also home to over 25 wineries, making it a genuine food-and-wine destination beyond the dunes themselves.
Leelanau Pines sits right on the water, giving campers lake access without needing to drive anywhere — a real advantage in a region where the lake itself is often the main event.
What Makes It Special
- Location: Cedar, in the heart of the Leelanau Peninsula
- Setting: Lakefront campground, lively and social
- Site type: Tent and RV sites plus lake-view glamping pods
- Amenities: Lakefront access, swimming area, camp store, summer activities
- Recreation: Swimming and water activities right from the campground
Pro Tips for Booking
This is a social campground, not a solitude retreat. Sites are packed fairly close together — it’s genuinely well-suited for group trips and girls’ weekends, less so if you want maximum privacy.
Book the lake-view glamping pods early. They’re a standout feature and the most requested option in season.
Set aside a full day for Sleeping Bear Dunes. The Dune Climb and Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive are both close enough for an easy day trip.
What to Do Around Here
- Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, including the famous Dune Climb
- Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, a favorite loop through the dunes
- Leelanau Peninsula wine touring, with over 25 wineries in the area
- Traverse City, a short drive for dining and shopping
- Swimming and lake activities right at the campground
