Graves Crossing State Forest Campground
4.6491 reviewsGraves Crossing State Forest Campground
Featured in:RV Camping Michigan
Quick Facts
Price
Varies
Booking
Walk-in Only
Sites
10 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Has Service
Pets
Not Allowed
RV Friendly
Get DirectionsQuick Facts
Price
Varies
Booking
Walk-in Only
Sites
10 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Has Service
Pets
Not Allowed
RV Friendly
Get DirectionsGraves 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...
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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) 582-7523
What Campers Say
4.64
Top-Rated
Based on 91 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."
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.
Spring (Mar-May)
Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.
Best
Summer (Jun-Aug)
Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.
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 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)
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Campsite details
Total Campsites10 campsites
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 not allowed
Open and Closed SeasonOpen year-round; campground is not plowed in winter (conditions may vary by year).
Reservation PlatformsMIDNRReservations.com
Amenities available
Potable water
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Cell phone service
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.
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Campground rules
- Pets are not allowed
- Fire rings provided at sites; follow Michigan DNR rules and any posted fire restrictions or bans.
Hazards
General hazardsHigh-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
24
°F
Dec 26
Friday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 78%
Wind: 8.4 mph
Overcast
Weather History
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Good to know
Common complaintsVery limited amenities (no electricity or showers), presence of poison ivy and heavy insects at times, occasional wildlife (bears) reported, and one comment noting open space and desire for cleaner/more developed camping areas.
Campground Map
Graves Crossing State Forest Campground
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.
Reviews from booking and map sources
4.6
91 reviews
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 91 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;...
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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...
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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...
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Last updated December 13, 2025
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