Can’t Find a DH Day Campground Reservation? Try Camping Next to Sleeping Bear Dunes Instead.
Every summer, thousands of visitors plan trips to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore hoping to reserve a campsite at DH Day Campground.
Unfortunately, many campers quickly discover that DH Day reservations can fill months in advance, sometimes leaving few options for travelers planning a Northern Michigan getaway.
If you’re looking for camping near Sleeping Bear Dunes after DH Day fills up, Jackson Station offers a peaceful alternative just minutes from the park.
Our private campsites border Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore property and provide a quiet farm setting with easy access to some of the area’s most beautiful destinations. View the property & search for openings to book a stay.
Private camping just minutes from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Why campers love staying at Jackson Station:
Minutes from Sleeping Bear Dunes
Enjoy quick access to the dunes, hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and beaches without the crowds of a large campground.
Near Bohemian Beach
One of Leelanau County’s hidden gems, Bohemian Beach is just minutes away and offers a peaceful Lake Michigan shoreline experience.
Close to Palmer Woods
Located only three miles from Palmer Woods Forest Reserve, guests can easily explore one of the newest and most popular outdoor recreation areas in the region.
Convenient Location
Jackson Station is located just two miles off scenic M-22, halfway between Glen Arbor and Maple City, making it an ideal home base for exploring the entire Sleeping Bear region.
Spacious Private Campsites
Instead of crowded campground loops, guests enjoy private campsites surrounded by woods, open skies, and the peaceful atmosphere of our working family farm.
Farm Fresh Extras
Many guests enjoy stopping by our seasonal farm stand for fresh eggs, local honey, maple syrup, greens, herbs, and seasonal produce before heading out for a day of adventure.
Whether you’re planning ahead or searching for a last-minute alternative to DH Day Campground, Jackson Station offers a unique Northern Michigan camping experience close to everything you came to see.
If DH Day is booked, don’t give up on your Sleeping Bear Dunes vacation. Your campsite may be waiting just down the road.
Book your campsite today and experience camping on the edge of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Farm Stand Near Sleeping Bear Dunes: A Local Stop Worth Making
Visiting Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore this summer?
Before heading to the beach or back to your campsite, make a quick stop at the Jackson Station Farm Stand in Maple City.
Located in the heart of Leelanau County, our family farm offers fresh local foods that are perfect for visitors, campers, and cottage guests.
You’ll often find:
Farm fresh eggs
Local honey
Michigan maple syrup
Fresh lettuce and spinach grown in our greenhouse
Microgreens
Culinary herbs from our garden
Seasonal produce and flowers
Many visitors are surprised by how much fresh food can come from a small family farm.
Whether you’re planning breakfast at the campground, building a fresh summer salad, or bringing home a taste of Northern Michigan, our farm stand offers simple, local goodness.
A fresh, colorful slaw that brightens tacos, pulled pork, grilled meats, and farm-style meals.
!When we’re cooking here at home (Jackson Station), we love recipes that pull double duty — something that works as a side dish, a topping, or even part of the main event.
This vibrant Mexican-inspired coleslaw is one of our go-to favorites. The crisp crunch of cabbage and carrots meets a bright lime vinaigrette with a hint of smoky spice. It’s simple, fresh, and the kind of thing that instantly elevates taco night, pulled pork sandwiches, grilled meats, or a casual side for a farm-fresh dinner.
Bonus, this coleslaw travels well and saves for days!
Ingredients
For the Slaw
1 small red cabbage, finely shredded
1 cup shredded carrots
3–4 scallions, thinly sliced
¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
For the Lime Chipotle Vinaigrette
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
Zest of 1 lime
Juice of 1 lime
1 tablespoon sherry wine vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon grainy mustard
1 teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon chipotle powder(or smoked paprika for a milder version)
1 teaspoon honey
½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
Instructions
1. Prep the Vegetables
Cut the cabbage into quarters and remove the core. Slice thinly for a delicate, crunchy texture.
Place the shredded cabbage in a large bowl and add the carrots, scallions, and cilantro if using.
2. Make the Dressing
In a separate bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime zest, lime juice, vinegar, garlic, mustard, chili powder, chipotle powder (or smoked paprika), honey, and salt until well blended.
3. Toss the Slaw
Pour about three-quarters of the vinaigrette over the cabbage mixture and toss thoroughly.
Taste and add the remaining dressing if you prefer a more coated slaw.
4. Serve & Enjoy
Serve immediately for maximum crunch, or let the slaw sit for about 10–15 minutes to allow the flavors to mingle.
Ways We Love to Serve It
This slaw is incredibly versatile. Try it:
piled onto pulled pork tacos
alongside grilled chicken or steak
tucked into fresh tortillas
topping sandwiches or burgers
as a bright farm-style side dish
Farm Kitchen Tip
Red cabbage gives this slaw its beautiful color and slightly peppery sweetness, but green cabbage or a pre-shredded mix works just fine in a pinch.
Enjoy this easy “take out at home” style dinner, a Thai Pork Noodle Bowl. Fresh, easy, family friendly and delicious!
Ingredients:
Rice Ramen Noodles
Diced Ham
Sauce (Peanut Sauce or Sweet Chili Sauce for example)
Brocolli
Chopped Carrots
Snap Peas
Optional garnishes: peanuts, lime wedges and fresh cilantro
Directions:
We like the “Brown Rice and Millet” Ramen style noodles from Costco, but you can use whatever’s convenient. We recommend some sort of stir fry rice noodle or chinese noodle variety. Cook to package directions.
In a saute or cast iron pan, combine minced garlic and your choice of sauce, try one of these: Sriracha Chili Sauce, Pad Thai Peanut Sauce, Sweet chili sauce or Low Sodium Soy Sauce.
Addbroccoli flourets, finely chopped carrots, and diced ham to the sauce and mix well. Cover and simmer until the veggies are cooked al dante.
We garnished the bowl with satisfyingly fresh snap peas. You could top the bowl with crushed peanuts or fresh cilantro and lime wedges, additionally.
What meat to use:
Cured, Half Hams are available for sale in our Pork Bundle or for sale individually once you’ve made a purchase in our online store. Alternatively, you could use pulled pork, made from a Pork Roast or Boston Butt.
Delicious and nutritious, utilize leftover ham to make this thick and creamy Ham & Potato soup recipe, from Jackson Station.
Any excuse to utilize the Instapot as a soup vessel, pressure cooking makes this soup recipe “same day possible,” not requiring much thinking ahead and minimizes prep time.
We’ve been making bone broth with marrow-in beef or ham bones from our butcher, then refriderating what we’ll use that week and freezing the rest in freezer-safe baggies. There’s nothing better than homemade broth, and it’s really so easy to make! For this soup and any others, I recommend using a bone both, whether it’s home-made or store bought in order to add nutritional benefits and richness of flavor.
This recipe makes about 8 servings, good for 4 people. For less people, enjoy once or twice then freeze the rest.
Ingredients
2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil
1/2 large white onion or Whole small Sweet Vidalia
1 cup of diced celery
3 sticks of carrots, diced
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 tsp Italian Herb seasoning blend
1/2 tsp ground Coriander
1/2 tsp ground Nutmeg (I saw a recipe that added the coriander and nutmeg and love the flavor it added. Now that’s a go to addition.)
1 tsp + ground Pink Himalayan Salt
3 cups of Bone Broth (Chicken, Beef or Ham all work well)
1-2 lbs of diced potatoes (I used closer to 2 lbs because I like a chunky soup with lots of goodies)
2 cups of Ham, diced
To make your Soup Creamy after cooking:
2 tablespoons corn starch in a bowl, mixed with cold water
1/4 cup of flour
1 1/2 cups of Half & Half (heavy cream or whole milk work too)
1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
Directions
Add the olive oil to your Instant Pot. Set on the sauté mode for about 8 minutes. Add the onion, garlic, celery and carrots. Saute, stirring occasionally.
Next, add the seasonings, potatoes and ham, then top with the broth and stir.
Cancel or complete the sauté function.
Place the lid on the Pot. Depending on your Pot model, set the pressure release valve to the Sealing position.
Set the pot to cook on High Pressure for just 5 minutes.
Once the time is up, let the pot natural release for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, cancel the cooking and set to warm. When the pressure is out of the lid and the pot has released, open the lid and set aside.
Mix the flour in with the Half & Half to blend in a small separate bowl. Add the Corn Starch mixture, half and half with flour mixture to the pot. Set the pot on Sauté mode, again. Add the shredded cheese and stir well. Continue stirring gently until the soup thickens, just a couple of minutes. Turn off the sauté mode and set the pot to keep warm. Add fresh ground pepper and salt to taste.
Garnish the bowls with fresh herbs, such as parsley or sprinkle with additional shredded cheese. We like to serve it with a warmed baguette and butter or oyster crackers. Enjoy!
