Lake Michigan At Manistee
Lake Michigan Campground is perched on the shores of Lake Michigan, 15 miles south of Manistee. The area creates an incredible setting with a scenic overlook of the lake and a sandy swimming beach. This family campground provides an array of hiking and biking trails, plus swimming, fishing and kayaking.
More like this: reservable in Michigan · big rigs in Michigan · pets allowed in Michigan · group sites in Michigan
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 48 |
| Group sites | 3 |
| Tent-only | 2 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 54 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
53 sites in 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G01 | GROU | Group | Partial | 50 / 5 | Yes | ||||||
| G02 | GROU | Group | Partial | 50 / 5 | Yes | ||||||
| G03 | GROU | Group | Partial | 50 / 5 | Yes | ||||||
| 051 | OAK | Standard | Back-in | 36 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 052 | OAK | Standard | Back-in | 38 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 053 | OAK | Standard | Back-in | 34 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 054 | OAK | Standard | Back-in | 44 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 055 | OAK | Standard | Back-in | 44 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 056 | OAK | Standard | Back-in | 48 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 057 | OAK | Standard | Back-in | 36 | Paved | Partial | 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 | 54 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Fees for the Group Sites are as follows, $55/night for up to 25 occupants and $72/night for 26-50 occupants. |
| Accessibility | Sites 037, 039, 041, 044 are listed accessible |
An amphitheater offers educational programs throughout the peak season. Other amenities include flush and vault toilets, beach access and an overlook deck. Campsites are equipped with picnic tables and pedestal grills. Group campsites can each accommodate a maximum of 50 guests.
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 | May 15 to October 10 |
| Forest | Huron-Manistee National Forests |
| Booking | Recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777 |
| Fees | Camping (per night): Single Site: $40.00. Group Site (up to 25 people): $100.00. Group Site (26 – 50 people): $115.00. Day Use (per vehicle): Per Day: $7.00. Extra Vehicle: $10.00. Ampitheater: $190.00 |
| 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
From the north, take US-31 south 10 miles from its junction with M-55 in Manistee, then right on Forest Trail Road (FS 5629) for 8 miles to the site. From the south, take US-31 north 11.5 miles from its junction with US-10 at Scottville, then left onto Forest Trail Road (FS 5629) for 8 miles the site.
| Coordinates | 44.1192° N, 86.4275° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedSer 439 South Rx
45 mi from the campground · 43 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 4.2 mi |
| RV sales & service | Silver Lake RV Rental ↗ | 31.3 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Outdoor gear ↗ | 31.4 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Lake Michigan Camping @ Orchard Beach State Park in Manistee, Michigan
Worth a stop
The nearby Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area has abundant trails for hiking and backpacking.
- 2.4 mi
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miLmra Cg Trail M1-20.2 mi trail · hiking, bike
- under 0.1 miLmra Cg Trail M1-50.1 mi trail · hiking, bike
- under 0.1 miArrowhead Trail Shoreline0.6 mi trail · hiking, bike
- under 0.1 miLake Michigan R.a. Bike Trail2.5 mi trail · hiking, bike
- 0.1 miArrowhead Trail0.5 mi trail · hiking, bike
- 0.1 miLmra Cg Trail M1-30.1 mi trail · hiking, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 2.4 miNordhouse Dunes Wilderness - Nurnberg Trailhead ↗Huron-Manistee National Forests · Season January 1 to December 31
- 2.4 miNordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area ↗Huron-Manistee National Forests · Season January 1 to December 31
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness begins about 0.4 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 0.4 miNordhouse Dunes Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 3,271 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Historic landmarks nearby
Natural features
The recreation area sits on the eastern banks of Lake Michigan along Porter Creek, due north of Hamlin Lake. As the second largest of the five Great Lakes, Lake Michigan provides stunning views and limitless options for water recreation. It covers a whopping 22,400 square miles and ranks as the fifth largest lake in the world. The Huron-Manistee National Forests encompass nearly a million acres of public protected land. Nearly 6,000 acres is wetlands that extend over the northern portion of Michigan's Lower Peninsula.
Recreation
A hardwood forest gives way to a beautiful sandy beach at the shores of the lake with a playground for younger campers. Trout fishing in Lake Michigan is another big draw. Bird watchers delight in seeing unique species like the piping plover and prairie warbler. The Arrowhead Trail, a short loop trail created by Boy Scouts, forms a loop between the campground and the beach. A trailhead for the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area is also within the recreation area.
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 Lake Michigan At Manistee?
Sites at Lake Michigan At Manistee are reservable on Recreation.gov. Recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777 Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Lake Michigan At Manistee?
Fees for the Group Sites are as follows, $55/night for up to 25 occupants and $72/night for 26-50 occupants.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Lake Michigan At Manistee?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Lake Michigan At Manistee open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May 15 to October 10.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Lake Michigan At Manistee have?
53 sites, including 48 standard sites without power, 3 group sites, and 2 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Lake Michigan At Manistee?
The longest site here provides 54 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 Lake Michigan At Manistee?
Yes, pets are allowed at Lake Michigan At Manistee. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Lake Michigan At Manistee?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. 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.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Lake Michigan At Manistee?
Sites 037, 039, 041, and 044 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 Lake Michigan At Manistee?
A hardwood forest gives way to a beautiful sandy beach at the shores of the lake with a playground for younger campers. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Lake Michigan At Manistee is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Marzinski Horse Campground (15.1 mi), Bear Track Campground (19.8 mi, first-come), and Pine Lake Campground (21.4 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby