How much does camping cost at Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp?

Camping fees at Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp range from $68/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

Is Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp first-come first-served or reservation?

Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

What is the best time to visit Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp?

Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp is open Open year-round; seasonal roads and the campground are not plowed in winter.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp?

Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Is there cell service at Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp?

Cell phone service at Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp is generally available. Cell service is available. Coverage may vary by carrier and exact location within the campground.

How many campsites does Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp have?

Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp has 30 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp?

Pets are not allowed at Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp?

Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp offers: Restrooms, Potable Water. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp?

Popular activities at Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp include Hiking, Fishing, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp

4.38

64 reviews

Featured in:Fishing Camping Michigan

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

938 ft

Price

$68/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

30 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Michigan Department of Natural Resources (Michigan DNR)

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

938 ft

Price

$68/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

30 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Michigan Department of Natural Resources (Michigan DNR)

Get Directions

Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp

$68.00 - $68.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Nightly fee

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 to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Michigan

Provider

(800) 447-2757

Been here recently?

Campers like you keep our info accurate. Fix a detail in under 30 seconds.

Plan a trip to Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp

Compare with similar sites, watch availability, and build a packing list — Camp Sage handles all of it.

What Campers Say

4.38

Recommended

Based on 64 reviews

55 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietwatersites

"Reviews are predominantly positive: visitors praise the peaceful, scenic river setting, strong paddling and trout‑fishing opportunities, and well‑spaced sites with maintained pit toilets. Common positives include quiet seclusion and tall red pines; negatives focus on limited amenities and access."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp

42.4221, -84.0448

Nearby places

Frederic — ~7.7 miles SW

Best Time to Camp at Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp

Fall is the standout season: crisp days in the mid-40s to mid-60s°F, cool mornings in the 30s, and vivid foliage along the riverbank. Paddling conditions stay calm, trout move near stream banks, and crowds rise on weekends during peak color but thin out midweek. Summer offers warmer paddling weather. Winter access is difficult. Seasonal roads aren't plowed, turning a visit into a backcountry trek. Pack layers and rain gear for typical northern Lower Michigan swings.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

5.0 / 5

Top 6% in MI

Fall is standout: vivid foliage, calm paddling and active trout near banks.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Open year-round; seasonal roads and the campground are not plowed in winter.

About Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp

Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground sits on the Upper Manistee River in Crawford County's north woods, offering 30 first-come, first-served sites beneath tall red pines. A central staircase descends the small bluff to the river, where paddlers launch and anglers wade for trout. Sites run $68 per night and include fire rings, picnic tables, vault toilets, and hand-pump potable water. No electricity, no showers, no reservations.

A rustic state forest campground with tent and trailer sites, plus a paddle‑in/walk‑in group‑use area. Sites are first‑come, first‑served and camping is limited to 15 days.

Weather and SeasonsFall is the standout season: crisp days in the mid-40s to mid-60s°F, cool mornings in the 30s, and vivid foliage along the riverbank. Paddling conditions stay calm, trout move near stream banks, and crowds rise on weekends during peak color but thin out midweek. Summer offers warmer paddling weather. Winter access is difficult. Seasonal roads aren't plowed, turning a visit into a backcountry trek. Pack layers and rain gear for typical northern Lower Michigan swings.

Natural Features and SceneryThe Manistee River runs directly alongside the campground at an elevation of 938 feet, its flow audible from most campsites. Red pines tower overhead, with mixed hardwoods filling gaps in the canopy. A narrow footpath traces the water's edge, connecting several access points where the bank meets calm current. The understory is sparse in places, which reduces site screening but opens sightlines to the river. Fall foliage peaks late September through mid-October, when hardwoods shift to gold and red against the darker pines.

Geological RegionUpper Manistee River valley, Crawford County (northern Lower Peninsula)

Scenic ViewsRiver frontage and elevated bluff views near the central staircase; many sites offer close river access and forested, shaded surroundings.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

15-day maximum stay

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsMIDNRReservations.com (note: this site is managed by Michigan DNR but this campground is first-come, first-served; no reservations)

Total Campsites30 campsites

Best CampsitesSites near the central staircase and the footpath by site 16 offer the easiest river access. The walk-in and paddle-in group area along the river is preferred for canoe-access camping and closest proximity to the water.

Amenities available

Rustic state forest campground: vault toilets and potable water from a hand-pump well. Sites include fire rings and picnic tables; no electricity or site hookups and no showers in the campground.

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Group Sites

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Primary activities are paddling (canoeing/kayaking) and trout fishing on the Upper Manistee River; additional opportunities include hiking along a riverside footpath, wildlife viewing and hunting access on adjacent state land. Winter camping is possible but seasonal roads and campground are not plowed.

Hiking

Fishing

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsBe mindful of high-water conditions on the river. Seasonal roads are not plowed in winter which may create access hazards; cell coverage is partial and may be unreliable. Carry appropriate river-safety gear for paddling.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at this campground. Expect vault or pit toilets only.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Weather at Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.4

64 reviews

Recommended

Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews are predominantly positive: visitors praise the peaceful, scenic river setting, strong paddling and trout‑fishing opportunities, and well‑spaced sites with maintained pit toilets. Common positives include quiet seclusion and tall red pines; negatives focus on limited amenities and access.

Review Summaries

Based on 64 reviews

What Campers Love

Scenic Manistee River frontage and easy river access; excellent paddling and trout fishing; quiet, secluded atmosphere; well‑spaced sites with fire rings and picnic tables; maintained vault toilets...

Based on 64 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Arrive early (sites are first‑come, first‑served); bring cash/check for self‑registration and pack supplies (ice, firewood) as stores are not nearby; bring potable water or use the hand‑pump well...

Based on 64 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

Every adventure creates another. Share what you learned so the next camper feels a little more prepared heading out.

Nearby Campgrounds

Frequently Visited

4.4

(59)

Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp

Blind Lake Hike-in Camp sits on the shore of Blind Lake along the Potawatomi Trail, a 10-site primitive campground accessible only on foot or by paddle. Expect hand-pumped water, vault toilets, fire rings, and one-night-maximum stays. Reservations require same-day check-in at the Pinckney Recreation Area office.

$17.00 - $17.00 / night

Frequently Visited

4.2

(145)

Waterloo Green Lake Campground

Waterloo Green Lake Campground sits on the edge of Green Lake in Michigan's Waterloo Recreation Area, offering 25 rustic sites with no electric hookups. Sites run $17 per night and can be reserved through MIDNRReservations.com. Several lakeside sites provide direct water access for paddling and fishing.

$17.00 - $17.00 / night

Highly Popular

4.6

(340)

Waterloo Sugarloaf Lake Campground

Waterloo Sugarloaf Lake Campground sits on Sugarloaf Lake in Michigan's Waterloo Recreation Area, 164 sites spread across grassy loops beneath mature hardwoods. Electric hookups, flush toilets, hot showers, and a sandy swimming beach draw families all summer. Sites run $28–32 per night. It's clean, well-maintained, and busy on weekends.

$28.00 - $32.00 / night

Less Visited

3.4

(8)

Waterloo Equestrian-Rustic

Approx. 8400 Loveland Road, Chelsea, Michigan

Waterloo Equestrian-Rustic sits along Loveland Road in Chelsea, offering 25 grassy sites for campers traveling with horses. Each site includes a firepit, picnic table, and picket posts. Vault toilets and solar-powered well water are on-site; hot showers are available at Sugarloaf Lake Campground nearby for a small fee. The campground provides direct access to 21 miles of equestrian trails.

$20.00 - $20.00 / night

Less Visited

0.0

(3)

Brighton Equestrian Campground

Brighton Recreation Area

Brighton Equestrian Campground sits in a hardwood forest within Brighton Recreation Area, offering 17 primitive sites built for riders and their horses. The campground provides picket posts or corrals, fire rings, vault toilets, and manure pits, with direct access to the 21-mile Brighton Equestrian Trail. Nightly fees run $20.

$20.00 - $20.00 / night

Less Visited

Brightonthree Fires Youth Organizational Camp

4.0

(13)

Brightonthree Fires Youth Organizational Camp

Brighton Recreation Area

Three Fires Youth Organizational Camp offers six rustic group sites within Brighton Recreation Area, accommodating up to 150 campers total. The campground sits in a wooded oak–hickory forest at 912 feet elevation and is designed specifically for organized youth groups. Reservations are handled directly through the park office. Reviewers praise the wooded setting, hiking access, and teen-friendly activities, though weekend slots fill quickly in fall.

Waterloo-Group Use Area Camp

Waterloo-Group Use Area Camp sits within the Portage Lake Unit of Waterloo Recreation Area, a 20,000-acre glacial landscape in southeast Michigan. This primitive group field accommodates up to five sites and provides vault toilets. The campground offers direct access to Portage Lake and miles of trails for hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing.

Brighton Appleton Lake Rustic Campground

Brighton Recreation Area

Brighton Appleton Lake Rustic Campground sits on 25 wooded sites in the Brighton Recreation Area, offering a back-to-nature tent experience at $17 per night. The campground draws campers who want quiet and seclusion: mature oaks, vault toilets, a hand pump for water, and direct access to Appleton Lake and the area's multi-use trail network. Don't expect showers or hookups.

$17.00 - $17.00 / night

Less Visited

4.3

(29)

Brighton Murray Lake Campground

Brighton Recreation Area

Brighton Murray Lake Campground sits on 25 rustic sites in the oak-and-hardwood forest of Brighton Recreation Area, open weekends only from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Sites cost $17 per night and fill quickly. The campground has vault toilets and a hand pump for water, with trailhead access to hiking and mountain biking routes and paddling on small Murray Lake.

$17.00 - $17.00 / night

Campgrounds you may also like

Less Visited

4.0

(26)

Manistee River Bridge State Forest Campground

Manistee River Bridge State Forest Campground sits on the main branch of the Manistee River in Crawford County, offering 23 rustic sites at $68 per night. The campground has potable water via hand pump, vault toilets, and two river-access points popular with paddlers and anglers. Sites are first-come, first-served.

$68.00 - $68.00 / night

Campgrounds

Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp

From Michigan DNR

Official information for Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Located on a small hill in the Bruin Lake Campground, this yurt does not have electricity but does have access to the modern bathrooms and showers in Spring, Summer and Fall.

Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp

Real-Time Availability

Quick Facts

Real-Time Availability

Quick Facts

Get Notified When Available

Plan a trip to Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp

What Campers Say

Campground Map

Best Time to Camp at Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp

Planning Tips

About Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Amenities available

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Policies & Safety

Weather at Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Camper Quotes

From Michigan DNR

Plan a trip to Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp

What Campers Say

Best Time to Camp at Upper Manistee River State Forest Campground And Canoe Camp

Planning Tips

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Amenities available

Activities you can enjoy

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Camper Quotes