USDA Forest Service · Michigan
Peterson Bridge
USDA Forest Service · Michigan, United States
- Sites
- 31
- Hookups
- 31 no hookups
- Season
- April 25 to October 12
- Max RV length
- 64 ft
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 892 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile weak · AT&T weak · Verizon weak (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- PETERSON BRIDGE PARKING (NFSR 5186-A) · bituminous surface treatment · high degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Huron-Manistee National Forests
- Nearest town
- Wellston
- Address
- Highway 3T @ Pine River Bridge, South of Highway 55, Wellston, MI, 49689
- Activities
- Accessible Swimming, Camping, River Trips
31 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Peterson Bridge Campground is located on the Pine River in Michigan’s Manistee National Forest. The location on the river makes it ideal for canoeists and those looking to experience the adventure of this swift moving river.
Recreation
With access to the river so close, floating the Pine River is a popular activity at Peterson Bridge. Several locations near the campground offer canoe rentals.
Supporting outstanding trout fishing, the Pine River is also a “Blue Ribbon” cold-water fishery. For State Fishing Regulations consult the Michigan Department of Natural Resources website, website http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/.
Facilities
The facility offers several tent sites which are walk-in only. Those tent sites on the river bank can also be accessed from the river.
In addition, the facility offers RV sites with many of the sites at this facility offering shade and seclusion.
Natural Features
The Pine River is well known as one of the most outstanding canoeing and trout fishing rivers in the Midwest. The river gradient is 7% and, depending upon the season, offers the fasted average flow of any river in lower Michigan. The lower 26 miles of the Pine River have been designated a National Wild and Scenic River.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (801) 226-3564.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28° | 14° | -12° | 48° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 28° | 14° | -2° | 52° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 41° | 26° | 10° | 70° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 53° | 36° | 13° | 80° | 7 of 11 |
| May | 68° | 47° | 30° | 81° | 2 of 11 |
| June | 76° | 55° | 44° | 90° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 80° | 63° | 54° | 94° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 79° | 63° | 54° | 88° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 75° | 57° | 45° | 86° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 57° | 44° | 33° | 73° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 41° | 32° | 16° | 63° | 8 of 10 |
| December | 32° | 24° | 3° | 59° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Government Landing Access · USDA Forest Service · 6 mi
- Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites · USDA Forest Service · 6 mi · 11 sites
- Lincoln Bridge State Forest Campground · State Forest · 7 mi · 9 sites
- Sand Lake Campground · USDA Forest Service · 7 mi · 44 sites
- Tippy Dam · Michigan State Parks · 8 mi
All public campgrounds in Michigan · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-06-26. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.