Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites
The Upper Manistee dispersed campsites are primitive campsites on the Manistee River Backwaters of Tippy Dam Pond, located along the banks of the Manistee River between Tippy Dam and Hodenpyl Dam. The Government Landing location includes 7 sites, in which, 5 are located on the water and 2 sites are on higher ground overlooking the water. There are 2 sites located on the water that are walk in only. The Red Bridge River Access offers 4 sites that are walk in only and allow easy access to the Manistee River. These sites are very popular and are by reservation only Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend.
More like this: reservable in Michigan · pets allowed in Michigan
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 5 |
| Tent-only | 4 |
| Walk-in | 2 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 20 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
7 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | GovernmentLanding | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 23 | GovernmentLanding | Walk-in | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | |||||
| 25 | GovernmentLanding | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 26 | GovernmentLanding | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Prime | ||
| 27 | GovernmentLanding | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Prime | ||
| 28 | GovernmentLanding | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Prime | |
| 11 | RedBridge | Tent only | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 01:00 PM, checkout 10:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 20 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend requires a reservation. There is no camping fee this year, but Recreation.gov will charge a standard reservation fee for each reservation. |
| Accessibility | Sites 11, 12, 13, 14 are listed accessible |
Each site is designed for single camp unit use with a maximum of 8 people and 2 vehicle per site. Sites include a picnic table, fire ring, and a lantern hook. Vault toilets are located with in walking distance of each site. A boat ramp is located at both Government Landing and Red Bridge. No drinking water is available at Government Landing, but drinking water is available at Red Bridge.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
For All Campsites. From the intersection of M55 and M37, head west on M-55 for 2.7 miles. Turn right onto N Warfield Rd, then travel north for 5.1 miles. Turn left onto N Coates Hwy and travel west until you cross the bridge over the Manistee River. Red Bridge campsites will be on the left. For Government Landing Campsites.
| Coordinates | 44.2839° N, 85.8618° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 3.6 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Outdoor gear ↗ | 25.1 mi |
| RV sales & service | Nature & Me R.V. ↗ | 29.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground
Worth a stop
- 11.2 miUdell Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miMan.rv. Red Bdg Spur-Nct1 mi trail · hiking
- 0.1 miManistee River Trail ↗9.5 mi trail · hiking
- 0.6 miNct Upper Manistee R. TH Spur0.08 mi trail · hiking
- 3.7 miManistee Smt Spur1 Dnr6 ↗19.7 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- John J. Makinen Bottle HouseBuilding · Kaleva · 9.5 mi
- Udell Lookout TowerStructure · Wellston · 12.9 mi
Natural features
The Upper Manistee River Area is one of the more scenic areas of the Manistee National Forest and the outdoor enthusiast will enjoy a rustic camping experience enhanced by the scenic river, peace and solitude, and abundant wildlife. The Manistee River with its steep slopes and sharp turns meanders through native hardwoods and pines.
Recreation
The Upper Manistee River Area offers motorized and non-motorized boating opportunities, and fishing is excellent on the Manistee River. Wildlife viewing may include encounters with a variety of species such as bald eagles, loons, trumpeter swans, black bears, white tailed deer, river otters, and turtles. Many of these species are secretive and sensitive to disturbances, so please view them from a distance. Hiking opportunities in the area are numerous with the North Country Trail and the Manistee River Trail, as the top draw to the area. Both trails offer excellent views of the forested terrain and the Manistee River.
Guidebooks for Michigan
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites?
Sites at Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites?
Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend requires a reservation. There is no camping fee this year, but Recreation.gov will charge a standard reservation fee for each reservation.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites?
Check-in 01:00 PM, checkout 10:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites have?
11 sites, including 5 standard sites without power, 4 tent-only sites, and 2 walk-in sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites?
The longest site here provides 20 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites?
Yes, pets are allowed at Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites?
Sites 11, 12, 13, and 14 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites?
The Upper Manistee River Area offers motorized and non-motorized boating opportunities, and fishing is excellent on the Manistee River. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Seaton Creek Campground (5.7 mi), Peterson Bridge (6.4 mi), and Sand Lake Campground (8.7 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby