Baxter Bridge State Forest Campground

Star4.71
68 reviews
Baxter Bridge State Forest Campground

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

25 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

RV Friendly

Opens Michigan DNR site

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Baxter Bridge State Forest Campground
No fees available
Campsite Fees
Fees and registration information are posted at the campground kiosk on arrival.
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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Michigan
Provider
(231) 775-7911

What Campers Say

4.71

Top-Rated

Based on 68 reviews

68 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietwell-maintainedsites

Some mention

cell service

"Reviewer sentiment is strongly positive: small, well-maintained, rustic campground praised for river access, paddling and trout fishing; many 5-star reviews."

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About Baxter Bridge State Forest Campground

Tucked into a towering red pine plantation along the peaceful Manistee River, Baxter Bridge offers an authentic escape into Michigan's north woods. This intimate state forest campground welcomes adventurers on a first-come, first-served basis for stays up to 15 days, with simple amenities including vault toilets, hand-pump well water, and your own private launch point to the river.
Rustic/primitive state forest campground with tent and small-trailer sites (25 total). First-come, first-served; no reservations.
Natural Features and SceneryImagine waking to dappled sunlight filtering through centuries-old red pines, with the gentle murmur of the Manistee River just steps from your tent. The campground hugs the riverbank, offering paddlers easy water access and everyone else front-row seats to the river's ever-changing moods. This is backcountry camping at its finest—quiet, woodsy, and wonderfully undeveloped, with the legendary North Country Trail beckoning hikers just a mile down the road.
Geological RegionWexford County; within the Manistee River / Pere Marquette State Forest area
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Campsite details

Total Campsites25 campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit
15-day maximum stay
Tents
Tents are allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are allowed
Primitive
Primitive are allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsMIDNRReservations.com (this campground does not take reservations; sites are first-come, first-serve)

Amenities available

Potable water
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Primary activities center on paddling and fishing on the Manistee River, with nearby hiking on the North Country Trail and casual biking on local forest two-tracks. The campground includes a carry‑in kayak landing and has a boat launch across the road.
Hiking
North Country Trail is about one mile from the campground, offering miles of scenic hiking.
Fishing
Manistee River fishing for brown trout and rainbow trout is popular; other game fish (bass, walleye, suckers) reported in this stretch of river.
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Campground rules

  • Pets are not allowed

Hazards

General hazardsRiver hazards — be mindful of high-water and river currents when paddling or using the river. Expect typical forest insects near water and spotty cell service in the area.

Weather at Baxter Bridge State Forest Campground

29
°F
Dec 26
Friday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 66%
Wind: 12.8 mph
Overcast

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Good to know

Common complaintsLimited amenities (rustic only — vault toilets and hand-pump water; no electricity or showers). Spotty or no cell service reported by reviewers.

Campground Map

Baxter Bridge State Forest Campground
Driving directionsLocated 12 miles northwest of Manton via M-42 and 31 Road.
Accessible via M-42 and 31 Road; campground is reached on local forest roads.

Reviews from booking and map sources

4.7
68 reviews
Top-Rated
Top-Rated
Baxter Bridge State Forest Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews
Reviewer sentiment is strongly positive: small, well-maintained, rustic campground praised for river access, paddling and trout fishing; many 5-star reviews.
Review Summaries
Based on 68 reviews

What Campers Love

Quiet, woodsy red-pine setting; immediate access to the Manistee River and a campground kayak landing; popular for kayaking, tubing and trout fishing; reviewers note well-maintained sites and...
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Based on 68 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Arrive early — sites are first-come, first-served and there are no reservations. Bring supplies and rain/bug protection, plan shuttles for river trips, and be prepared for vault toilets and hand-pump...
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Based on 68 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Just as expected for a Michigan state forest campground!"; "Best place I've visited"; "Fav place for dogs"; "Great Place! 25 Rustic Sites... Situated right on the Manistee River."; "Had no cell...
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Based on 68 reviews

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Last updated December 13, 2025
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