Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites

650 North Michigan Ave. Baldwin, MI 49304

Tucked away in the heart of the Huron-Manistee National Forests, Sulak Campground beckons those seeking an authentic back-to-nature experience. This hidden gem offers the increasingly rare gift of free, first-come-first-served camping in a pristine wilderness setting. Whether you're casting a line at dawn, tracking game through ancient forests, or gathering your family around a crackling campfire, Sulak provides the perfect basecamp for outdoor adventures. While the amenities are refreshingly simple—fire rings, picnic tables, and a vault toilet—the memories you'll create here are anything but basic.

650 North Michigan Ave. Baldwin, MI 49304

Nestled within sun-dappled forest clearings along the pristine Pere Marquette National Scenic River, Elk Canoe Campground offers an authentic back-to-nature experience that captures the essence of Michigan's wilderness. This rustic retreat stretches along 66 miles of nationally designated scenic waterway, where anglers cast their lines into crystal-clear waters and paddlers drift beneath towering canopies. Here, the simple pleasures of camping take center stage—crackling campfires, starlit skies, and the gentle murmur of the river creating a soundtrack for unforgettable outdoor adventures.

Tank Creek, North Country National Scenic Trail

Tucked away in nature's embrace, Timber Creek Campground offers adventurers a peaceful retreat where rustic charm meets trail-ready convenience. This intimate campground serves as a gateway to the legendary North Country National Scenic Trail, with direct access from your campsite to miles of wilderness exploration. Nestled beside a tranquil impoundment, this hidden gem provides the perfect basecamp for those seeking authentic outdoor experiences away from the crowds.

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Tucked along the banks of the Little Manistee River in Lake County, Carrieville State Forest Campground welcomes adventurers to 31 spacious sites that blend wooded seclusion with open meadow charm. This rustic, first-come/first-served gem offers the essentials—vault toilets and hand-pump water—while serving as your gateway to miles of ORV and ATV trails threading through Michigan's backcountry.

650 North Michigan Ave. Baldwin, MI 49304

Escape to Old Grade Campground, where the whisper of the Little Manistee River and the embrace of towering National Forest create an authentic wilderness retreat. This rustic hideaway invites adventurers seeking solitude and simplicity, with interpretive hiking trails that reveal nature's secrets at every turn. Perfect for tent campers and small RV enthusiasts who prefer the raw beauty of backcountry camping, Old Grade offers a genuine off-the-grid experience—just remember to bring your own water and prepare for vault toilets, as modern amenities take a backseat to pristine nature here.

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Escape to this hidden gem along the Pine River, where 26 rustic campsites nestle beneath a canopy of towering hardwoods and pines. This peaceful state forest campground keeps things simple with vault toilets and hand-pump water, while sites 20–26 offer something special: walk-in peninsula spots surrounded by river on both sides, perfect for paddlers seeking a true wilderness experience.

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Escape to Lincoln Bridge State Forest Campground, where nine intimate walk-in tent sites nestle among towering hardwoods and whispering pines along the pristine Pine River (Little Manistee River). This rustic retreat keeps things beautifully simple—vault toilets, hand-pumped water, and a short 20-50 yard stroll from your vehicle to your private woodland site. Whether you're launching a kayak into the clear river waters, casting a line, or exploring miles of forest trails by foot or bike, you'll find the perfect balance of solitude and adventure.

1170 Nursery Road, Wellston, MI 49689

Nestled on a scenic bluff overlooking the Little Manistee River, Bear Track Campground invites you to experience pure wilderness camping at its finest. This intimate retreat features 16 thoughtfully placed rustic campsites along a single peaceful loop, where the gentle sounds of the river below create nature's perfect soundtrack. Whether you're casting a line for prized trout and steelhead, embarking on an adventure along the legendary North Country National Scenic Trail, or paddling the pristine waters in your canoe, Bear Track delivers authentic outdoor experiences. Keep your eyes peeled for the resident beaver colony that regularly delights visitors with their industrious antics.

Huron-Manistee National Forests

Nestled along the pristine shores of Sand Lake, this enchanting campground seamlessly weaves together the timeless appeal of wilderness camping with thoughtfully placed modern conveniences. Towering hardwoods create a natural cathedral overhead, their leaves whispering stories of countless camping adventures while providing cool, dappled shade throughout the grounds. Families gather on the inviting sandy beach, where children's laughter mingles with the gentle lapping of waves, and evening campfires cast a warm glow across private, well-spaced sites that offer both connection and solitude.

1170 Nursery Road Wellston, MI 49689

Nestled along the pristine shores of Pine Lake—the crown jewel of Manistee National Forest—Pine Lake Campground beckons those seeking authentic wilderness experiences. This intimate retreat features just 12 thoughtfully spaced campsites where modern distractions fade away, replaced by the gentle lapping of lake waters and rustling forest canopy. Here, simplicity reigns supreme with vault toilets and a hand-pump well providing the essentials, while nature supplies everything else. As visitor Dean Craig notes, it's "small, quiet, and clean"—exactly what draws campers back year after year. Alizabith Winters calls it a "great off-grid camping spot," and she's right: this is where you come to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with what matters.

Highway 3T @ Pine River Bridge, South of Highway 55, Wellston, MI 49689, USA

Nestled along the rushing waters of the Pine River in Michigan's Manistee National Forest, Peterson Bridge Campground beckons to those who hear the call of swift currents and pristine wilderness. This riverside haven has become a cherished destination for paddlers eager to test their skills against some of Michigan's most exhilarating whitewater, while anglers find themselves drawn to the promise of world-class trout fishing. Whether you're launching your own canoe at dawn or renting one from nearby outfitters, the river's energy becomes your playground from the moment you arrive.

Huron-Manistee National Forests

Nestled deep within the Huron-Manistee National Forest, Marzinski Horse Campground beckons equestrian enthusiasts to discover a peaceful retreat where riders and their horses can truly connect with nature. This thoughtfully designed campground features 19 spacious pull-through sites, each equipped with convenient hitching posts, sturdy picnic tables, and fire rings perfect for evening gatherings under the stars. Direct access to the scenic Marzinski Horse Trail means adventure begins right from your campsite. While embracing a rustic charm with vault toilets and fresh well water, this secluded haven offers everything needed for a memorable backcountry experience. The surrounding forest creates a natural buffer between sites, ensuring privacy and tranquility that both horses and riders will appreciate.

1170 Nursery Road Wellston, MI 49689

Nestled on the western shores of Lake Mitchell near Cadillac, Hemlock Campground and Boat Launch offers an enchanting escape into Michigan's natural wetlands. This thoughtfully designed campground features a single loop of paved sites, where early arrivals can claim convenient pull-through spots near the entrance or coveted lakefront sites that put you just steps from the water's edge. In early summer, the surrounding marshlands burst into color as wild iris paint the landscape in vibrant purples, creating a photographer's paradise and a haven for nature enthusiasts.

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Escape to Long Lake State Forest Campground, where 12 rustic sites nestle into wooded, rolling hills along a pristine lakefront. This off-the-grid gem offers the simplicity of vault toilets and hand-pump water, operating on a first-come, first-served basis with stays up to 15 days—perfect for adventurers seeking direct trail access to nearby motorcycle and ORV routes.

P.O. Box 69, Manistee, MI 49660, USA

Nestled where Seaton Creek meets the tranquil backwaters of Hodenpyl Dam Pond, Seaton Creek Campground offers an authentic wilderness retreat along the Big Manistee River. This rustic haven beckons outdoor enthusiasts with its generous campsites tucked beneath towering trees, pristine facilities that blend seamlessly with nature, and immediate access to some of Michigan's most rewarding hiking trails. Here, the gentle murmur of creek waters and rustling leaves create nature's perfect soundtrack for your escape from the everyday.

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Tucked away on the peaceful east shore of Healy Lake, this intimate 24-site campground offers the perfect escape into Manistee County's northern forests. Managed by Springdale Township, this rustic gem welcomes tent campers and small trailers on a first-come, first-served basis, plus features two accessible mini cabins for those seeking a roof overhead.

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Tucked into a towering red pine plantation along the peaceful Manistee River, Baxter Bridge offers an authentic escape into Michigan's north woods. This intimate state forest campground welcomes adventurers on a first-come, first-served basis for stays up to 15 days, with simple amenities including vault toilets, hand-pump well water, and your own private launch point to the river.

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Escape to a secluded hilltop retreat where 32 rustic campsites nestle among towering trees with sweeping views of Spring Lake below. This authentic back-to-basics campground welcomes tent campers and small trailers on a first-come, first-served basis, offering vault toilets, hand-pump well water, and immediate access to miles of North Country Trail plus excellent fishing and paddling opportunities.

Interlochen State Park

Escape to a quieter corner of Interlochen State Park, where the Green Lake Rustic loop offers more than 50 spacious, secluded campsites tucked among the trees along the lakeshore. This is classic Michigan camping—no frills, no crowds, just you, the woods, and the water. Bring your boat, cast a line, and enjoy the kind of peaceful getaway that reminds you why you love camping in the first place.

Interlochen State Park

Tucked into a wooded corridor between the sparkling waters of Duck Lake and Green Lake, Interlochen Group Camp offers your group a shaded retreat under towering red pines. This rustic gathering spot puts you right in the heart of Interlochen State Park's beloved Northwoods setting, with easy access to sandy beaches, boat launches, and miles of trails that draw visitors back year after year.

Interlochen State Park

Huron-Manistee National Forests

Tank Creek, North Country National Scenic Trail

Huron-Manistee National Forests

Interlochen State Park

1170 Nursery Road, Wellston, MI 49689

1170 Nursery Road Wellston, MI 49689

P.O. Box 69, Manistee, MI 49660, USA

650 North Michigan Ave. Baldwin, MI 49304

1170 Nursery Road Wellston, MI 49689

Interlochen State Park

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Highway 3T @ Pine River Bridge, South of Highway 55, Wellston, MI 49689, USA

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Interlochen State Park