Manistee River Bridge State Forest Campground

Star4.33
26 reviews
Manistee River Bridge State Forest Campground

Quick Facts

804 ft

Price

$68/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

23 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens Michigan DNR site

Official Website
Get Directions
Manistee River Bridge State Forest Campground
$68.00 - $68.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Nightly fee listed as $68 in the provided materials (appears to reference the cabin/nightly rental listed in source materials).
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

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground
Michigan
Provider
(800) 447-2757
Help improve this page
See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

4.33

Recommended

Based on 26 reviews

24 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietcleanwaterstaff

"Most recent visitor reviews are positive, highlighting a quiet, friendly campground with clean sites and helpful staff; a minority note issues with restroom cleanliness and occasional noisy groups."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Manistee River Bridge State Forest Campground

Manistee River Bridge State Forest Campground

42.9471, -84.4104

Driving directionsLocated about 7.8 miles northwest of Grayling via M-72 and North Campground Road (also described as roughly 7.3 miles west of Grayling via M-72).
Accessible from M-72 and North Campground Road; campground and seasonal roads are not plowed in winter.
Nearby places
Grayling — ~7.8 miles
Lake Margrethe — ~2 miles east (nearby landmark).

Best Time to Camp at Manistee River Bridge State Forest Campground

This hidden gem welcomes campers year-round, though winter adventurers should note that roads and sites remain unplowed when snow flies. Summer and fall bring the campground to life with warm days perfect for paddling and crisp evenings ideal for riverside campfires, all wrapped in the four-season beauty that defines northern Michigan's character.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Summer brings warm days and active paddling/fishing; campground busy but accessible.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.5 / 5
Top 15% in MI

Fall foliage and quiet river setting make this a standout season for visitors.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.0 / 5

Spring offers river recreation but may be wet/muddy; limited specifics provided.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
2.0 / 5

Open year-round but roads and sites not plowed, limiting winter usability for many.

Planning Tips
  • Operating Season: Open year-round; seasonal roads not plowed in winter.

About Manistee River Bridge State Forest Campground

Nestled along the pristine main branch of the Manistee River, this intimate 23-site rustic campground offers paddlers and anglers a peaceful escape into Crawford County's dense forest. With its first-come, first-served sites, vault toilets, and hand-pump water, this is back-to-basics camping at its finest—where the soundtrack is flowing water and rustling pines, not RV generators.
Rustic state forest campground with tent and trailer sites and paddle-in river access; source material also references a rustic cabin as an accommodation.
Advertisement

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers
Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit
15-day maximum stay.

Amenities available

Potable water
Vault toilets
Cabin Lodging

Activities you can enjoy

River-focused recreation including fishing and paddling; provides carry-in canoe/kayak access and serves as a paddle-in campsite. Hunting access on surrounding state land and winter camping (campground open year-round but seasonal roads are not plowed) are noted.
FishingBrown, brook and rainbow trout are caught in the Manistee River; nearby fisheries include Lake Margrethe and the Au Sable River (as noted in source).
Boating
Advertisement

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsRiver access is down stairs from the campground so boats and gear must be carried up and down a bluff; be mindful of high‑water river safety. Winter access may be difficult because roads are not plowed.

Weather at Manistee River Bridge State Forest Campground

Reviews

4.3
26 reviews
Recommended
Recommended
Manistee River Bridge State Forest Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews
Most recent visitor reviews are positive, highlighting a quiet, friendly campground with clean sites and helpful staff; a minority note issues with restroom cleanliness and occasional noisy groups.
Review Summaries
Based on 26 reviews

What Campers Love

Visitors commonly praise the river setting, quiet atmosphere, friendly staff, and generally clean campsites. One review notes potable water is available via a hand pump.
Based on 26 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Expect a quiet, rustic site with hand-pump drinking water; bring usual camping supplies and be prepared for basic vault-toilet facilities.
Based on 26 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Nice place. Staff is great. Camp ground is quiet and sites are clean. Def worth a stay and the river is very nice."; "This campground is great. The restrooms are disgusting."; "Convenient access to...
Show more
Based on 26 reviews
0
0 review
1
2
3
4
5

Add your voice to the Outdoorithm community

Been to Manistee River Bridge State Forest Campground? Your review helps fellow campers discover what makes this place special—and what to expect.

Last updated February 17, 2026
Advertisement
Nearby Campgrounds
Popular campgrounds in Michigan
Campgrounds
Manistee River Bridge State Forest Campground