Goose Creek Trail Camp
4.6332 reviewsGoose Creek Trail Camp
Quick Facts
Price
$6 - $20/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
Varies
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Not Allowed
RV Friendly
Get DirectionsQuick Facts
Price
$6 - $20/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
Varies
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Not Allowed
RV Friendly
Get DirectionsGoose Creek Trail Camp
$6.00 - $20.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Reviewer-reported site fees range from about $6 to $20; actual fees vary by site/type and may differ for the equestrian group area versus the...
Show more
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
Get Notified When Available
We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.
Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes
167,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications
Share this campground
Michigan
Provider(989) 348-7068
What Campers Say
4.63
Top-Rated
Based on 32 reviews
32 Google reviews
Most mentioned
cleanrestroomssites
Some mention
crowdedmosquitoes
"User reviews are overwhelmingly positive, praising the equestrian facilities, miles of trails, quiet northwoods setting, and river access. Reviews consistently note the campground's rustic character and basic facilities (vault toilets, hand pump water, no showers)."
Fees & Passes at Goose Creek Trail Camp
$6 - $20/night
Campsite fees
Prices verified December 13, 2025
Prices may vary by season and site type. Always confirm current rates on the official Michigan DNR website.
Best Time to Camp at Goose Creek Trail Camp
While the campground welcomes visitors year-round, winter adventurers should note that access roads aren't plowed, making seasonal trips more challenging. If you're planning a fall visit, keep in mind that hunting is permitted on surrounding state land during designated seasons—wearing blaze orange and checking the current hunting calendar will help ensure a safe and enjoyable stay.
Spring (Mar-May)
Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.
Summer (Jun-Aug)
Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.
Best
Fall (Sep-Nov)
Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.
Winter (Dec-Feb)
Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.
Planning Tips
- Operating Season: Open year-round; campground and seasonal roads are not plowed.
About Goose Creek Trail Camp
Tucked into a tranquil forest of towering jack and red pines along the Upper Manistee River, Goose Creek Trail Camp offers equestrian enthusiasts a genuine backcountry experience. This rustic group horse camp provides the essentials—vault toilets, hand-pump water, and direct access to the legendary Shore-to-Shore Trail—while immersing you in the quiet beauty of Michigan's northwoods.
Rustic, equestrian-focused group trail camp with adjacent small riverfront tent sites in the state forest area.
Weather and SeasonsWhile the campground welcomes visitors year-round, winter adventurers should note that access roads aren't plowed, making seasonal trips more challenging. If you're planning a fall visit, keep in mind that hunting is permitted on surrounding state land during designated seasons—wearing blaze orange and checking the current hunting calendar will help ensure a safe and enjoyable stay.
Natural Features and SceneryImagine waking to sunlight filtering through cathedral-like stands of jack pine and red pine, with the gentle sound of the Upper Manistee River flowing nearby. The river winds through camp with inviting sandy banks and crystal-clear water, offering multiple spots to water your horses or simply enjoy the view. A scenic river crossing leads directly from camp into miles of forested riding loops, and if you're looking for a more intimate riverside experience, nine tent and small-trailer sites at the adjacent Goose Creek State Forest Campground put you right on the water's edge.
Geological RegionUpper Manistee River corridor / northern Michigan state forest (jack pine, red pine and mixed hardwood forest)
Advertisement
Campsite details
Best Campsites
Curated by campers, for campers
Reveal picks
Reserving a campsite
Tents
Tents are allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are allowed
Primitive
Primitive are allowed
Reservable
Reservations are allowed
Open and Closed SeasonOpen year-round; campground and seasonal roads are not plowed.
Reservation PlatformsMIDNRReservations.com
Accomodation available
GroupGroup campsites are offered for larger parties such as families, schools, or organizations. These sites provide space and facilities to accommodate multiple people camping together.
Amenities available
Potable water
Vault toilets
Activities you can enjoy
Primarily an equestrian-focused, rustic trail camp adjacent to the Upper Manistee River with immediate access to the Shore-to-Shore Trail and miles of loop riding/hiking. River access supports paddling and fishing and several informal put-in/take-out points.
Advertisement
Campground rules
- Pets are not allowed
Hazards
General hazardsRiver high-water can affect the Manistee River crossing—use caution and evaluate conditions before crossing. Hunting occurs in season—wear blaze orange and be alert. Wildlife precautions are advised (standard food/feed storage for bears and other animals). Facilities are rustic (vault toilets, no electricity); a submersible pump on site requires a large generator (reported 5,000-watt) to operate.
Weather at Goose Creek Trail Camp
21
°F
Dec 26
Friday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 86%
Wind: 11.9 mph
Overcast
Weather History
Weather data powered by Open-Meteo
Detailed 7-Day Forecast
Powered by AI weather analysis
Reveal forecast
Good to know
Common complaintsAmenities are very basic—no showers and pit/vault toilets (some reports of flies/mosquitoes around the pit toilets). The group/equestrian events can make the camp crowded and active; a few visitors mentioned inconsistent pricing between sites.
Campground Map
Goose Creek Trail Camp
Driving directionsLocated in Crawford County, about 5.5 miles west of Frederic via County Road 612 and Manistee River Road.
Accessible via county roads (County Road 612 and Manistee River Road) from Frederic; seasonal roads to the campground are not plowed.Nearby places
Frederic — 5.5 miles
Reviews from booking and map sources
4.6
32 reviews
Goose Creek Trail Camp is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews are overwhelmingly positive, praising the equestrian facilities, miles of trails, quiet northwoods setting, and river access. Reviews consistently note the campground's rustic character and basic facilities (vault toilets, hand pump water, no showers).
Review Summaries
Based on 32 reviews
What Campers Love
Excellent equestrian setup and direct Shore-to-Shore Trail access; scenic Upper Manistee River frontage and multiple river access points for paddling and fishing; roomy sites and many loop trails;...
Based on 32 reviewsShow more
Pro Tips & Recommendations
Expect a rustic, horse-oriented camp: bring supplies for stock care, insect protection, and self-sufficiency. Users report drinking water from a hand pump and a generator-operated pump—bring...
Based on 32 reviewsShow more
Camper Quotes
"Nice clean horse camp. The new roads are great..."; "Wonderful facilities. Rustic camping with some group sites as well. Water pump access, public restrooms (no running water)..."; "Hidden gem of a...
Based on 32 reviewsShow more
Camper Reviews by Outdoorithm campers
0
0 review
1
2
3
4
5
Last updated December 13, 2025
Advertisement