USDA Forest Service · Michigan
Lake Michigan at Manistee
USDA Forest Service · Michigan, United States
- Sites
- 53
- Hookups
- 53 no hookups
- Season
- May 9 to October 12
- Max RV length
- 54 ft
- Group sites
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 653 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- LAKE MICHIGAN REC AREA CG (NFSR 5972) · bituminous surface treatment · high degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Huron-Manistee National Forests
- Nearest town
- Grant Township
- Address
- LOWER PENNISULA, MI
- Phone
- 231-723-0141
- Activities
- Amphitheater, Biking, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Swimming
51 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Lake Michigan Campground is perched on the shores of Lake Michigan, 15 miles south of Manistee. The area creates an incredible setting with a scenic overlook of the lake and a sandy swimming beach. This family campground provides an array of hiking and biking trails, plus swimming, fishing and kayaking.
Recreation
A hardwood forest gives way to a beautiful sandy beach at the shores of the lake with a playground for younger campers. Trout fishing in Lake Michigan is another big draw.
Bird watchers delight in seeing unique species like the piping plover and prairie warbler.
The Arrowhead Trail, a short loop trail created by Boy Scouts, forms a loop between the campground and the beach. A trailhead for the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area is also within the recreation area.
Facilities
An amphitheater offers educational programs throughout the peak season. Other amenities include flush and vault toilets, beach access and an overlook deck. Campsites are equipped with picnic tables and pedestal grills.
Group campsites can each accommodate a maximum of 50 guests.
Natural Features
The recreation area sits on the eastern banks of Lake Michigan along Porter Creek, due north of Hamlin Lake. As the second largest of the five Great Lakes, Lake Michigan provides stunning views and limitless options for water recreation. It covers a whopping 22,400 square miles and ranks as the fifth largest lake in the world.
The Huron-Manistee National Forests encompass nearly a million acres of public protected land. Nearly 6,000 acres is wetlands that extend over the northern portion of Michigan's Lower Peninsula.
Nearby Attractions
The nearby Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area has abundant trails for hiking and backpacking.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (801) 226-3564.
Fees
Fees for the Group Sites are as follows, $55/night for up to 25 occupants and $72/night for 26-50 occupants.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29° | 20° | -2° | 48° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 30° | 20° | 6° | 49° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 39° | 28° | 10° | 65° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 48° | 37° | 24° | 66° | 7 of 11 |
| May | 58° | 45° | 33° | 74° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 68° | 55° | 45° | 79° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 74° | 64° | 52° | 83° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 75° | 65° | 56° | 81° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 71° | 60° | 50° | 82° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 58° | 48° | 37° | 69° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 43° | 35° | 21° | 60° | 5 of 10 |
| December | 34° | 28° | 8° | 57° | 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
- Ludington – Beechwood · Michigan State Parks · 7 mi
- Ludington – Jackpine Hike-In Sites · Michigan State Parks · 7 mi
- Ludington – Cedar · Michigan State Parks · 7 mi
- Ludington – Pines · Michigan State Parks · 7 mi
- Buttersville Campground · City, County & Regional Parks · 12 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.