Peterson Bridge
Peterson Bridge Campground is located on the Pine River in Michigan’s Manistee National Forest. The location on the river makes it ideal for canoeists and those looking to experience the adventure of this swift moving river.
More like this: reservable in Michigan · big rigs in Michigan · pets allowed in Michigan
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 18 |
| Tent-only | 13 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 64 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
31 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 | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | CS | Standard | Back-in | 53 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 02 | CS | Standard | Back-in | 39 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 03 | CS | Standard | Back-in | 38 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 04 | CS | Standard | Back-in | 51 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 05 | CS | Tent only | Back-in | 24 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | ||
| 06 | CS | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 07 | CS | Tent only | Back-in | 31 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | ||
| 08 | CS | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 09 | CS | Standard | Back-in | 64 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 10 | CS | Standard | Back-in | 61 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | 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 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 64 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Accessibility | Sites 01, 02, 03, 04 and 16 more are listed accessible |
The facility offers several tent sites which are walk-in only. Those tent sites on the river bank can also be accessed from the river. In addition, the facility offers RV sites with many of the sites at this facility offering shade and seclusion.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | April 23 to October 10 |
| Forest | Huron-Manistee National Forests |
| Fees | Camping (per night) Single Site: $35.00. Walk-in, Riverside: $15.00 per person. Day Use (per vehicle) Per Day:$7.00. Extra Vehicle: $10.00 |
| Rules | As a visitor to the National Forest, you are asked to follow certain rules designed to protect the Forest, natural resources and to provide for public safety of visitors. These rules are available to you on-line or at any office of the Huron-Manistee National Forests. Please take time to read and understand them. General Topic orders apply across the Forests. |
Weather by month
Getting there
Please note: Peterson Bridge Campground is located on Highway 3T at Pine River Bridge, South of Highway 55. From Baldwin, MI: Take State Rt. 37 north about 21 miles to campground sign (just before Pine River bridge). Turn right into campground. From the north: follow M-37 south 1.5 miles from its junction with M-55.
| Nearest town | Wellston, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 44.2042° N, 85.7961° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 5.1 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Outdoor gear ↗ | 24.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | Nature & Me R.V. ↗ | 34.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Peterson Bridge Campground
Worth a stop
- 14 miUdell Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.6 miManistee Smt Dnr1 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 2.5 miCaberfae West Smt Dnr637 ↗9.9 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 3.3 miManistee Smt Spur1 Dnr6 ↗19.7 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 3.3 miMackenzie Bike Spur 20.06 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.3 miMackenzie Xski Spur 20.06 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 3.5 miMackenzie Xski Spur 40.5 mi trail · 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
Natural features
The Pine River is well known as one of the most outstanding canoeing and trout fishing rivers in the Midwest. The river gradient is 7% and, depending upon the season, offers the fasted average flow of any river in lower Michigan. The lower 26 miles of the Pine River have been designated a National Wild and Scenic River.
Recreation
With access to the river so close, floating the Pine River is a popular activity at Peterson Bridge. Several locations near the campground offer canoe rentals. Supporting outstanding trout fishing, the Pine River is also a “Blue Ribbon” cold-water fishery.
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 Peterson Bridge?
Sites at Peterson Bridge 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 Peterson Bridge?
Camping (per night) Single Site: $35.00. Walk-in, Riverside: $15.00 per person. Day Use (per vehicle) Per Day:$7.00.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Peterson Bridge?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Peterson Bridge open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season April 23 to October 10.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Peterson Bridge have?
31 sites, including 18 standard sites without power and 13 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Peterson Bridge?
The longest site here provides 64 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 Peterson Bridge?
Yes, pets are allowed at Peterson Bridge. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Peterson Bridge?
Sites 01, 02, 03, and 04 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 20 sites in all. 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 Peterson Bridge?
With access to the river so close, floating the Pine River is a popular activity at Peterson Bridge. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Peterson Bridge?
Wellston, Michigan.
Source: Getting there
What if Peterson Bridge is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites (6.4 mi), Sand Lake Campground (7.1 mi), and Old Grade Campground (10.3 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby