Lake Michigan At Manistee

MI

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Escape to Bowman Bridge Campground, where the pristine waters of the Pere Marquette National Scenic River create a natural soundtrack for your wilderness adventure. This secluded haven features 16 thoughtfully designed paved family campsites, each offering privacy among towering trees. For those seeking a more intimate connection with nature, four walk-in sites provide a peaceful retreat, while four spacious group camping areas welcome gatherings of up to 20 people, perfect for family reunions or outdoor celebrations under the stars.

650 North Michigan Ave. Baldwin, MI 49304

Escape to the untamed beauty of Whelan Lake Area, where wilderness camping meets pure Michigan adventure. This hidden gem in the Huron-Manistee National Forests invites you to disconnect from the modern world and reconnect with nature's rhythms. With pristine lake views and direct access to the legendary Pere Marquette River, you'll find yourself immersed in a landscape that rewards self-sufficient adventurers. Here, primitive camping means just you, your gear, and a fire pit beneath the stars. As one satisfied camper puts it, this is "perfect for people who can camp without all the extras!" Pack in, pack out, and discover why sometimes the best amenities are the ones nature provides: crystal-clear waters for swimming, abundant fishing opportunities for bluegill and perch, and endless paddling routes that wind through untouched wilderness.

650 North Michigan Ave. Baldwin, MI 49304

Tucked away in the heart of the Huron-Manistee National Forests, Sulak Campground beckons those seeking an authentic back-to-nature experience. This hidden gem offers the increasingly rare gift of free, first-come-first-served camping in a pristine wilderness setting. Whether you're casting a line at dawn, tracking game through ancient forests, or gathering your family around a crackling campfire, Sulak provides the perfect basecamp for outdoor adventures. While the amenities are refreshingly simple—fire rings, picnic tables, and a vault toilet—the memories you'll create here are anything but basic.

650 North Michigan Ave. Baldwin, MI 49304

Nestled within sun-dappled forest clearings along the pristine Pere Marquette National Scenic River, Elk Canoe Campground offers an authentic back-to-nature experience that captures the essence of Michigan's wilderness. This rustic retreat stretches along 66 miles of nationally designated scenic waterway, where anglers cast their lines into crystal-clear waters and paddlers drift beneath towering canopies. Here, the simple pleasures of camping take center stage—crackling campfires, starlit skies, and the gentle murmur of the river creating a soundtrack for unforgettable outdoor adventures.

Tank Creek, North Country National Scenic Trail

Tucked away in nature's embrace, Timber Creek Campground offers adventurers a peaceful retreat where rustic charm meets trail-ready convenience. This intimate campground serves as a gateway to the legendary North Country National Scenic Trail, with direct access from your campsite to miles of wilderness exploration. Nestled beside a tranquil impoundment, this hidden gem provides the perfect basecamp for those seeking authentic outdoor experiences away from the crowds.

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1170 Nursery Road, Wellston, MI 49689

Nestled on a scenic bluff overlooking the Little Manistee River, Bear Track Campground invites you to experience pure wilderness camping at its finest. This intimate retreat features 16 thoughtfully placed rustic campsites along a single peaceful loop, where the gentle sounds of the river below create nature's perfect soundtrack. Whether you're casting a line for prized trout and steelhead, embarking on an adventure along the legendary North Country National Scenic Trail, or paddling the pristine waters in your canoe, Bear Track delivers authentic outdoor experiences. Keep your eyes peeled for the resident beaver colony that regularly delights visitors with their industrious antics.

Huron-Manistee National Forests

Nestled along the pristine shores of Sand Lake, this enchanting campground seamlessly weaves together the timeless appeal of wilderness camping with thoughtfully placed modern conveniences. Towering hardwoods create a natural cathedral overhead, their leaves whispering stories of countless camping adventures while providing cool, dappled shade throughout the grounds. Families gather on the inviting sandy beach, where children's laughter mingles with the gentle lapping of waves, and evening campfires cast a warm glow across private, well-spaced sites that offer both connection and solitude.

1170 Nursery Road Wellston, MI 49689

Nestled along the pristine shores of Pine Lake—the crown jewel of Manistee National Forest—Pine Lake Campground beckons those seeking authentic wilderness experiences. This intimate retreat features just 12 thoughtfully spaced campsites where modern distractions fade away, replaced by the gentle lapping of lake waters and rustling forest canopy. Here, simplicity reigns supreme with vault toilets and a hand-pump well providing the essentials, while nature supplies everything else. As visitor Dean Craig notes, it's "small, quiet, and clean"—exactly what draws campers back year after year. Alizabith Winters calls it a "great off-grid camping spot," and she's right: this is where you come to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with what matters.

Huron-Manistee National Forests

Nestled deep within the Huron-Manistee National Forest, Marzinski Horse Campground beckons equestrian enthusiasts to discover a peaceful retreat where riders and their horses can truly connect with nature. This thoughtfully designed campground features 19 spacious pull-through sites, each equipped with convenient hitching posts, sturdy picnic tables, and fire rings perfect for evening gatherings under the stars. Direct access to the scenic Marzinski Horse Trail means adventure begins right from your campsite. While embracing a rustic charm with vault toilets and fresh well water, this secluded haven offers everything needed for a memorable backcountry experience. The surrounding forest creates a natural buffer between sites, ensuring privacy and tranquility that both horses and riders will appreciate.

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Tucked away on the peaceful east shore of Healy Lake, this intimate 24-site campground offers the perfect escape into Manistee County's northern forests. Managed by Springdale Township, this rustic gem welcomes tent campers and small trailers on a first-come, first-served basis, plus features two accessible mini cabins for those seeking a roof overhead.

Huron-Manistee National Forests

1170 Nursery Road, Wellston, MI 49689

Tank Creek, North Country National Scenic Trail

650 North Michigan Ave. Baldwin, MI 49304

1170 Nursery Road Wellston, MI 49689

650 North Michigan Ave. Baldwin, MI 49304

650 North Michigan Ave. Baldwin, MI 49304

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Escape to Rifle River–Devoe Lake Campground, where towering trees frame a pristine, spring-fed lake perfect for peaceful paddles and refreshing swims. This rustic retreat offers the authentic Northwoods experience—no motors, no hookups, just you and nature in beautifully secluded campsites surrounded by forest.

400 E. Munising Ave, Munising, MI, 49862, USA

Tucked away in nature's embrace, Bermuda Campsite offers an intimate escape just 75 yards from the crystalline waters of Lake Superior and the pristine sands of Murray Bay Beach. This hidden gem on Grand Island provides the perfect balance of rustic charm and thoughtful amenities, where you'll find everything needed for a comfortable wilderness stay—from a convenient latrine and secure food storage options to a welcoming fire ring surrounded by benches, complete with provided firewood for those magical evening gatherings under the stars.

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Escape to one of Michigan's hidden gems: a intimate four-site campground nestled along the pristine shores of Canoe Lake. This rustic retreat in the state forest offers the perfect basecamp for paddlers and anglers seeking solitude, with easy access to Trail 8 and the stunning Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore just beyond.

107 McKinley Road Mio, MI 48647

Hidden within a serene red pine plantation along the legendary Au Sable River, Meadow Springs Campground offers an authentic wilderness escape for adventurous souls. This secluded, rustic retreat rewards those willing to leave their vehicles behind at the gate and venture on foot into nature's embrace. Beloved by paddlers navigating the pristine waters of the Au Sable, this hike-in sanctuary provides the perfect basecamp for those seeking solitude and riverside serenity far from the crowds.

650 North Michigan Ave., Baldwin, MI 49304

Nestled along the pristine waters of the Pere Marquette National Scenic River, Claybanks Campground offers an authentic wilderness retreat where anglers cast their lines for elusive brown trout and nature enthusiasts discover tranquility beneath towering pines and oaks. Adventure awaits down the campground's famously steep stairs—a heart-pumping descent that leads to a gravel riverbed perfect for fly-fishing and catch-and-release pursuits. This riverside sanctuary beckons those who seek the gentle rhythm of flowing water and the thrill of spotting wildlife in their natural habitat.

5685 Lake Michigan Road

Nestled between the crystalline waters of Lake Michigan and the meandering Platte River, this beloved campground serves as your gateway to endless outdoor adventures. With miles of scenic hiking trails weaving through diverse landscapes and thoughtfully maintained facilities that enhance rather than intrude upon the natural setting, Platte River Campground has earned its reputation as one of the region's most sought-after destinations for nature enthusiasts and families alike.

Fort Custer Recreation Area

Gather your group for an authentic outdoor experience at Fort Custer's two rustic group camps, each welcoming up to 60 people. Both sites come equipped with picnic tables, fire pits, and vault toilets, creating the perfect basecamp for your adventure—just note that Whitford Lake offers convenient hand-pump water access, while Kalamazoo River groups will want to stock up at the park office or main campground.

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Escape to Long Lake State Forest Campground, a hidden gem tucked into the hills above one of Missaukee County's most pristine glacial lakes. This rustic retreat offers the kind of quiet, back-to-basics camping experience that reminds you why you love the outdoors—think towering pines, shimmering water views, and the simple pleasure of a campfire under the stars.

19456 W Lakeshore Drive, Brimley MI 49715

Nestled along the pristine shores of Lake Superior's Whitefish Bay, Bay View Campground invites you to experience the raw beauty of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Here, beneath a canopy of towering pines, rustic campsites offer front-row seats to one of the Great Lakes' most dramatic coastlines. Adventure awaits just moments away, from the thundering cascade of Tahquamenon Falls to the historic beacon of Whitefish Point Lighthouse and the fascinating Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, where tales of maritime history come alive.

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Saddle up for an authentic equestrian getaway at this 25-site rustic campground, where spacious, sun-drenched sites welcome you and your horses with room to spare for larger trailers. With fire rings, picket poles at every site, and direct access to 17 miles of dedicated riding trails, you'll find everything you need for a memorable backcountry experience—including a pavilion, vault toilets, and hand-pump water to keep things simple and rustic.