Merwin Creek State Forest Campground

Star3.64
14 reviews
Merwin Creek State Forest Campground

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

10 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

RV Friendly

Opens Michigan DNR site

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Merwin Creek State Forest Campground
No fees available
Campsite Fees
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
(906) 341-3618

What Campers Say

3.64

Mixed Reviews

Based on 14 reviews

14 Google reviews

Most mentioned

peacefulsites

Some mention

noisemosquitoes

"Reviewers generally praise Merwin Creek as a quiet, secluded, riverside, primitive campground with attractive riverfront sites. Common negatives are biting insects (mosquitoes and flies), the very basic toilet facilities (outhouses/vault toilets), and the lack of showers or modern amenities."

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Best Time to Camp at Merwin Creek State Forest Campground

Pack layers for classic northwoods weather—even July nights can surprise you with a refreshing chill that makes campfire evenings perfect. Autumn transforms the forest into a riot of crimson and gold, while summer brings the buzz of mosquitoes and flies (bug spray is your friend). Spring and fall travelers should check local road conditions before heading out, as seasonal changes can affect access to this remote gem.

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

    About Merwin Creek State Forest Campground

    Escape to Merwin Creek State Forest Campground, where ten intimate tent and trailer sites nestle along the pristine Manistique River in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. This rustic, first-come/first-serve retreat managed by Schoolcraft County offers the essentials—vault toilets and fresh well water—so you can unplug and reconnect with the northwoods.
    Small, rustic, first-come/first-served campground with 10 sites for tent and trailer use, many of which are riverfront.
    Weather and SeasonsPack layers for classic northwoods weather—even July nights can surprise you with a refreshing chill that makes campfire evenings perfect. Autumn transforms the forest into a riot of crimson and gold, while summer brings the buzz of mosquitoes and flies (bug spray is your friend). Spring and fall travelers should check local road conditions before heading out, as seasonal changes can affect access to this remote gem.
    Natural Features and SceneryImagine waking to the gentle murmur of the Manistique River flowing just steps from your tent. Towering hardwoods and evergreens create a natural canopy overhead, while the largely wild shoreline invites you to cast a line or slide a kayak into the current. Each wooded site feels like your own private sanctuary, with most offering direct river access and the kind of seclusion that makes you forget the outside world exists. The Merwin Creek corridor remains beautifully undeveloped, preserving that authentic wilderness character that draws people to the U.P. in the first place.
    Geological RegionCentral Upper Peninsula (northwoods), mixed conifer-hardwood forest along the Manistique River corridor.
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    Campsite details

    Total Campsites10 campsites

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    Reserving a campsite

    Tents
    Tents are allowed
    RV vehicles
    RV vehicles are allowed
    Primitive
    Primitive are allowed
    Reservable
    Reservations are not allowed

    Reservation PlatformsMIDNRReservations.com

    Amenities available

    Potable water
    Vault toilets

    Activities you can enjoy

    Riverside recreation is the focus: fishing, paddling/boating, and wildlife viewing. The campground also provides access to surrounding state forest lands open to hunting (obey seasonal rules and stay 450 ft from occupied dwellings).
    Fishing
    Shore fishing and small‑craft fishing on the Manistique River; species listed for the river include walleye, pike, bass, perch, bluegill, musky, lake herring, and lake trout.
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    Campground rules

    • Pets are not allowed

    Hazards

    General hazardsHigh insect activity (mosquitoes and flies) in warm months; typical U.P. wildlife present (deer, waterfowl, and regionally black bears). Cell coverage may be intermittent and local forest roads can be rough—check conditions before travel.

    Weather at Merwin Creek State Forest Campground

    25
    °F
    Dec 26
    Friday
    Overcast
    Precipitation: 0%
    Humidity: 71%
    Wind: 12.5 mph
    Overcast

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    Good to know

    Common complaintsHeavy insect presence in warm months (mosquitoes and flies) and very basic restroom facilities (outhouses) are the most frequent complaints. Occasional generator noise from RV groups was also mentioned.

    Campground Map

    Merwin Creek State Forest Campground
    Driving directionsLocated on the shore of the Manistique River in Schoolcraft County, approximately nine miles northwest of Gulliver via US-2, County Road 438 and County Road 433.
    Accessible from US-2 via County Road 438 and County Road 433; final approach includes local/forest roads which may be unpaved.
    Nearby places
    Gulliver — ~9 miles

    Reviews from booking and map sources

    3.6
    14 reviews
    Mixed Reviews
    Mixed Reviews
    Merwin Creek State Forest Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews
    Reviewers generally praise Merwin Creek as a quiet, secluded, riverside, primitive campground with attractive riverfront sites. Common negatives are biting insects (mosquitoes and flies), the very basic toilet facilities (outhouses/vault toilets), and the lack of showers or modern amenities.
    Review Summaries
    Based on 14 reviews

    What Campers Love

    Many reviewers describe the campground as peaceful, secluded, and scenic with several riverfront sites and good shore fishing; reviewers repeatedly call it a "beautiful little" or "nice little"...
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    Based on 14 reviews

    Pro Tips & Recommendations

    Arrive early (sites are first-come, first-served), bring strong insect repellent, bring toilet paper/hand sanitizer for the vault toilets, and bring or plan to launch a small boat if you want...
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    Based on 14 reviews

    Camper Quotes

    "Awesome tent camping with access to the river. Bring your boat.", "Very secluded quiet outta the way great price $13.00 a night.", "There are outhouses versus regular bathrooms ... bring your own...
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    Based on 14 reviews

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    Last updated December 13, 2025
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