Seaton Creek Campground
Seaton Creek Campground adjoins Seaton Creek and is at the upper end of the backwater of Hodenpyl Dam Pond on the Big Manistee River. The forest surrounding the campground is mostly pine and the sites are rustic. The closest town is Mesick.
More like this: reservable in Michigan · pets allowed in Michigan · group sites in Michigan
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 17 |
| Group tent areas | 2 |
Site guide
19 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 02 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 03 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 04 | Standard | Pull-through | Gravel | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 05 | Standard | Pull-through | Gravel | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 06 | Standard | Pull-through | Gravel | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 07 | Standard | Pull-through | Gravel | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 08 | Standard | Pull-through | Gravel | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 09 | Standard | Pull-through | Gravel | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 10 | Standard | Pull-through | Gravel | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
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 |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
Two group sites and 17 family sites area situated near a picnic area on the Hodenpyl Backwater of the Manistee River. There are two vault restroom buildings. Sites have fire rings and picnic tables. Drinking water is available.
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 29 to October 10 |
| Forest | Huron-Manistee National Forests |
| Fees | Camping (per night): Single Site: $30.00. Group Site: $80.00. Day Use (per vehicle): Per Day:$10.00. 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
From the north: Follow M-37 south 6 miles from Mesick. Turn right on 26 Road (near Yuma) for 1.7 miles, then right on O'Rourke Drive for 1.3 miles, then right on Forest Road 5993 for 0.4 mile to the site. From the south: Take M-37 north 9 miles from its intersection with M-55.
| Nearest town | Manistee, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 44.3578° N, 85.8092° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Kayakers may access the campground by traveling up the very shallow Seaton Creek, however canoeing is not recommended unless you're putting in at the Hodenpyl Backwaters.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 9.4 mi |
| Outdoor gear | TCH Gear ↗ | 21 mi |
| RV sales & service | Nature & Me R.V. ↗ | 24 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Video of Seaton Creek Campground, MI from Art S.
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miManistee River Trail ↗9.5 mi trail · hiking
- 1 miMan. Rv- Suspension Brdg Spur0.5 mi trail · hiking
- 1.3 miNorth Country Trail ↗127.3 mi trail · hiking, bike · national_scenic_or_historic
- 1.7 miNct Marilla Trailhead Spur ↗1.1 mi trail · hiking, bike · national_scenic_or_historic
- 3 miCaberfae Way Smt Dnr37 ↗16.5 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 4 miMesick Route Smt Dnr3793.3 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
Trailheads within three miles
- 1.9 miMarilla Trailhead ↗Huron-Manistee National Forests · Season May 15 to November 30
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 · 9.9 mi
Natural features
The terrain surrounding Hodenpyl Dam Pond is characterized as hilly with a mix of hardwoods and conifers. Briar Hill, which has the second-highest elevation in the lower peninsula, is located about five miles east of Hodenpyl Dam Pond. A number of other tributaries enter Hodenpyl Dam Pond from the east, flowing off the slopes of Briar Hill. These streams are characterized by very high gradient and cold temperatures. They include Seaton Creek, Small Creek, Preston Creek, Cripple Creek, and several unnamed streams. These streams mostly host a mix of brown and brook trout, although a few have only brook trout. The trailhead for the Manistee River Trail is within the campground.
Recreation
The surrounding waters offer excellent fishing opportunities for both panfish (perch, bluegil, crappie, sunfish) and game fish (trout, bass, pike, salmon). From there, you can canoe the Big Manistee. There is a connector trail to the Manistee River Trail from this site. The North Country National Scenic Trail can be reached by crossing the suspension bridge over the Manistee River. The Upper Branch Trailhead is also nearby.
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 Seaton Creek Campground?
Sites at Seaton Creek Campground 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 Seaton Creek Campground?
Camping (per night): Single Site: $30.00. Group Site: $80.00. Day Use (per vehicle): Per Day:$10.00.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Seaton Creek Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Seaton Creek Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season April 29 to October 10.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Seaton Creek Campground have?
19 sites, including 17 standard sites without power and 2 group tent areas.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Seaton Creek Campground?
Seaton Creek Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Seaton Creek Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Seaton Creek Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Seaton Creek Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. 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: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Seaton Creek Campground?
The surrounding waters offer excellent fishing opportunities for both panfish (perch, bluegil, crappie, sunfish) and game fish (trout, bass, pike, salmon). The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Seaton Creek Campground?
Manistee, Michigan.
Source: Getting there
What if Seaton Creek Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites (5.7 mi), Peterson Bridge (10.6 mi), and Sand Lake Campground (14.4 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby