Graves Crossing State Forest Campground

4.63

106 reviews

Peace & Quiet

Featured in:RV Camping Michigan

Quick Facts

679 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

10 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens Michigan DNR site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

679 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

10 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens Michigan DNR site

Official Website

Get Directions

Graves Crossing State Forest Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Rustic state forest campground; Recreation Passport required for vehicle entry to Michigan state forest campgrounds. No fee amounts provided in...

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

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Michigan

Provider

(231) 582-7523

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What Campers Say

4.63

Top-Rated

Based on 106 reviews

91 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietsites

"Visitor reviews are overwhelmingly positive (many 5‑star comments) praising the quiet, riverside setting, easy river access for paddling and fishing, well‑maintained rustic sites and overall peaceful atmosphere. A small number of comments note limited amenities and occasional issues with insects, poison ivy, or wildlife."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Graves Crossing State Forest Campground

45.0346, -85.0651

Driving directionsLocated about 10 miles north of Mancelona via US-131 and M-66; campground sits alongside the Jordan River in the Jordan River Valley.

Accessible from US-131 and M-66; short access road leads to the campground (parking is typically along the access road with a short walk into the sites).

Nearby places

Mancelona (about 10 miles south)

Intermediate Lake (about 8 miles west)

Lake Charlevoix (about 10 miles north)

general area: Mancelona / East Jordan region.

Best Time to Camp at Graves Crossing State Forest Campground

While Graves Crossing welcomes adventurers year-round, each season paints a different picture along the Jordan. Summer and fall draw the biggest crowds—paddlers gliding downriver, anglers working the pools, and leaf-peepers soaking in the fiery foliage—so arrive early on weekends to claim your spot. Winter transforms the campground into a snowy sanctuary for the truly intrepid, with the river still flowing beneath snow-laden pines, though you'll need to hike or ski in since the access road isn't plowed.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Summer draws paddlers and anglers; ideal season for river activities.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Top 15% in MI

Fall draws big crowds; scenic foliage and continued fishing/paddling make it excellent.

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Top 14% in MI

Spring offers strong fishing and paddling opportunities though insects/seasonal conditions noted.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

3.0 / 5

Open year-round but not plowed; snowmobile routes nearby make it usable but rustic in winter.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Open year-round; campground is not plowed in winter (conditions may vary by year).

About Graves Crossing State Forest Campground

Tucked away in the Jordan River Valley, Graves Crossing offers paddlers and anglers a rare find: a primitive, first-come campground right on the banks of Michigan's first designated scenic river. This secluded state forest gem features rustic amenities—vault toilets, hand-pump well, and direct carry-in river access—with no hookups and no reservations, just pure north woods solitude managed by Young State Park.

A small, rustic state forest campground (first‑come, first‑served) located on the Jordan River with sites intended for tent camping and small trailer use.

Weather and SeasonsWhile Graves Crossing welcomes adventurers year-round, each season paints a different picture along the Jordan. Summer and fall draw the biggest crowds—paddlers gliding downriver, anglers working the pools, and leaf-peepers soaking in the fiery foliage—so arrive early on weekends to claim your spot. Winter transforms the campground into a snowy sanctuary for the truly intrepid, with the river still flowing beneath snow-laden pines, though you'll need to hike or ski in since the access road isn't plowed.

Natural Features and SceneryImagine waking to the gentle rush of the Jordan River just steps from your tent, its crystalline waters winding through a cathedral of mixed hardwoods and towering conifers. This is classic northern Michigan at its finest—a secluded forested valley where the river's legendary clarity beckons paddlers to explore and anglers to cast for trout and salmon. When autumn arrives, the surrounding hardwood canopy erupts in brilliant color, creating a spectacular backdrop for riverside camping that feels worlds away from civilization.

Geological RegionJordan River Valley (northern Michigan forested river valley)

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Amenities available

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Set directly on the Jordan River, the campground is a base for paddling, trout fishing and quiet forest camping. Nearby trails, ORV/snowmobile routes, and state land hunting opportunities expand recreation options seasonally.

HikingAccess to nearby trails including the Jordan River Pathway and other area trail networks.

FishingJordan River trout and salmon fishery — brown trout, rainbow trout, steelhead and salmon are caught here.

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsHigh-water safety concerns on the Jordan River; paddlers should be aware of downed trees and natural river obstacles. Poison ivy has been reported in the woods near sites. Limited facilities (no electricity, vault toilets, hand-pump water) mean campers must be prepared for primitive conditions.

Weather at Graves Crossing State Forest Campground

Reviews

4.6

106 reviews

Top-Rated

Graves Crossing State Forest Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Visitor reviews are overwhelmingly positive (many 5‑star comments) praising the quiet, riverside setting, easy river access for paddling and fishing, well‑maintained rustic sites and overall peaceful atmosphere. A small number of comments note limited amenities and occasional issues with insects, poison ivy, or wildlife.

Review Summaries

Based on 106 reviews

What Campers Love

Quiet, secluded camping on the scenic Jordan River; excellent put‑in for kayaking and river floating; good trout fishing; well‑maintained sites with picnic tables, fire rings and vault toilets;...

Based on 106 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Arrive early in peak season — the campground fills fast; bring insect repellent and bear‑aware food storage; use caution and experience when kayaking this river (not recommended for tubing); be...

Based on 106 reviews

Camper Quotes

“Beautiful.”; “Great little hideaway … During season it fills up fast. Clean sites and outhouse. Just be wary of the poison ivy.”; “Perfect place to put in for best river kayaking in the area.”; “We...

Based on 106 reviews

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Last updated February 2, 2026

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