State Forest · Michigan
Old US 131 State Forest Campground
State Forest · Michigan, United States
- Sites
- 25
- Hookups
- 25 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
- 974 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
- 231-775-7911
About
This rustic campground, nestled within a pine forest on the Manistee River, features 25 sites suitable for tents and small trailers, six of which are nestled in a large field adjacent to the river and North Country Trail. The intention is for these six sites to be used by river paddlers and through hikers on the North Country Trail.
It's a popular destination for hiking and backpacking because it connects to the North Country Trail and is part of the 21-mile Fife Lake Loop, connecting the campground to Spring Lake State Forest Campground. A kayak landing on the Manistee River provides easy access to the campground for paddle campers.
The campground is located 7 miles north of Manton via US-131 and Old US-131.
25 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 Mitchell State Park (231-775-7911).
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26° | 13° | -18° | 45° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 27° | 12° | -8° | 49° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 39° | 23° | 6° | 67° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 52° | 34° | 12° | 81° | 8 of 11 |
| May | 68° | 46° | 27° | 81° | 2 of 11 |
| June | 74° | 53° | 42° | 93° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 80° | 62° | 53° | 94° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 79° | 61° | 51° | 88° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 74° | 56° | 43° | 86° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 55° | 42° | 31° | 74° | 1 of 10 |
| November | 41° | 30° | 11° | 61° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 32° | 22° | 0° | 60° | 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
- Old 131 State Forest Campground (Wexford County local operation) · City, County & Regional Parks · 0 mi
- Hopkins Creek State Forest Campground · State Forest · 5 mi · 7 sites
- Hopkins Creek Equestrian State Forest Campground and Trail Camp · State Forest · 5 mi · 16 sites
- Baxter Bridge State Forest Campground · State Forest · 5 mi · 25 sites
- Spring Lake State Forest Campground · State Forest · 6 mi · 30 sites
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.