State Forest · Michigan
Manistee River Bridge State Forest Campground
State Forest · Michigan, United States
- Sites
- 23
- Hookups
- 23 no hookups
- Season
- Year-round
- Cost
- $20 per night; a Recreation Passport is required on the vehicle
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- No
- Elevation
- 1,145 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 2
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile weak · Verizon weak · AT&T good (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Phone
- 989-348-7068
About
This rustic campground is located on the main branch of the scenic Manistee River in Crawford County. The campground provides two different access points to the river. One is a small wooden deck behind site #3, and the other is a large grass landing perfect for launching canoes or kayaks. Both access points are down a set of stairs, so visitors should be aware that they will have to carry boats at least 30 yards to and from the river. There is parking within the campground adjacent to site #16 for visitors and those launching a kayak or canoes.
There are 23 sites for tent, small trailer and large trailer use. The campground is located 7.8 miles northwest of Grayling via M-72 and North Campground Road.
23 rustic campsites, $20 a night. Open all year; the road may not be plowed in winter. First come, first served; register at the campground kiosk on the day you arrive. Vault toilets and a hand-pump well for drinking water; no electricity or hookups. One camping unit and six people per site, 15 nights at most. Managed from Hartwick Pines State Park (989-348-7068).
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26° | 12° | -13° | 43° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 26° | 12° | -13° | 48° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 39° | 23° | 6° | 65° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 52° | 33° | 10° | 81° | 8 of 11 |
| May | 67° | 45° | 29° | 82° | 2 of 11 |
| June | 73° | 54° | 43° | 92° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 79° | 62° | 54° | 92° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 78° | 60° | 54° | 88° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 72° | 55° | 42° | 84° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 54° | 42° | 31° | 74° | 1 of 10 |
| November | 40° | 31° | 9° | 58° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 32° | 22° | -5° | 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
- Lake Margrethe State Forest Campground · State Forest · 3 mi · 37 sites
- Upper Manistee State Forest Campground · State Forest · 4 mi · 30 sites
- Goose Creek State Forest Campground · State Forest · 4 mi · 12 sites
- Goose Creek Trail Camp · State Forest · 5 mi
- Hartwick – Hartwick Pines Campground · Michigan State Parks · 9 mi
All public campgrounds in Michigan · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-09-17. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.