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Camping on the Huron-Manistee National Forests

To receive information not found on this page or for any problems with any documents found on this page please email us at: r9 hmnf website@fs.fed.us

Developed Camping

There are many developed campgrounds throughout the Forests. Camping can generally be enjoyed from May through September. Regulations permit camping in developed campgrounds for a maximum of 14 consecutive days. Most campgrounds will have sites available on a first-come first-served basis. For some campgrounds and day use areas directions can be opened by selecting the name of the campground or day use area. At Concessionaire operated sites, ask the concessionaire for more information. Fee information is posted at all campgrounds and day use areas. A fee for a unit/site is for two camp units, for example two tents, or a pop-up and a tent. See developed campground rules for more information. To reserve a campsite: visit Recreation.gov

To receive information not found on this page or for any problems with any documents found on this page please email us at: r9 hmnf website@fs.fed.us

Available activities are marked with a diamond shape - .

 

Huron Campgrounds

Campground/Day Use Area Name

(Click on $ symbol to view fees or scroll down)

Number of single sites available. Number of group sites available. Campground is Concessionaire operated. There is a day use fee associated with this site. A permit is needed at this campground. A reservation for this site is recommended. There is boat and/or canoe access at this site. Drinking water is available at this site. Fishing is available at this site. An observation deck is at or near this site. There is a picnic shelter and/or picnic area at this site. There are restroom facilities at this site. Swimming and/or a beach area is located at or near this site. A motorized trailhead is accessible from this site. A non-motorized trailhead is accessible from this site. There is a visitor center near this site. This campground or day use area is open year round. This campground or day use area opens in April. Call for more information. This site opens in May.  Please call for specific dates. This site opens for Memorial Day weekend and closes immediatly following Labor Day weekend. This site closes immediatly following Labor Day weekend. This site closes in October.  Please call for a specific date.
AuSable Loop 5   $                            
Gabions 10   $                            
Horseshoe 9   $                      
Island Lake 17   $ $                          
Jewell Lake 32   $                    
Kneff Lake 27   $ $                            
Loon Lake Day Use     $ $                          
Luzerne Trail Camp $ 10 65                              
Mack Lake 42   $ $                            
Meadows $ 16                                
McKinley Trail Camp $                                
Monument 19   $                      
Pine River 11   $                          
Rollways 19   $ $                            
Round Lake 33   $ $                      
South Branch Trail Camp 15 1 $                      
White Pine Loop   2 $ $                            
Wagner Lake 12   $                            
Wakeley Lake $ 5                            

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Manistee Campgrounds

Campground/Day Use Area Name

(Click on $ symbol to view fees or scroll down)

Number of single sites available. Number of group sites available. Campground is Concessionaire operated. There is a day use fee associated with this site. A permit is needed at this campground. A reservation is recommended at this site. There is boat and/or canoe access at this site. Drinking water is available at this site. Fishing is available at this site. An observation deck is at or near this site. There is a playground and ampitheater at this site. There is a picnic shelter and/or picnic area at this site. There are restroom facilities at this site. Swimming and/or a beach area is located at or near this site. A motorized trailhead is accessible from this site. A non-motorized trailhead is accessible from this site. Walk-in boat or canoe launches are available from this site. This site also has walk-in campsites available. This campground or day use area is open year round. This campground or day use area opens in April. Call for more information. This site opens in May.  Please call for specific dates. This site opens for Memorial Day weekend and closes immediatly following Labor Day weekend. This site closes immediatly following Labor Day weekend. This site closes in October.  Please call for a specific date.
Bear Track 16 4 $ $                        
Benton Lake 25   $ $                        
Bowman Bridge 20 4 $                          
Dorner Lake 7   $                              
Driftwood Valley 19   $ $                              
Gleason's Landing 4 2 $                        
Hemlock 19   $ $                              
Highbanks 9   $                        
Hungerford Lake 48     $                         *        
Lake Michigan Recreation Area
99 3 $ $                
Nichols Lake North       $                          
Nichols Lake South 28   $                          
Old Grade 20   $                              
Peterson Bridge*** 31   $                            
Pine Lake 12   $ $                              
Pines Point 29 5 $ $                    
Ravine $ 6                                  
Sand Lake Day Use Area     $ $                          
Sand Lake 45 1 $ $                        
Seaton Creek 17   $                              
Timber Creek 9   $                              
Udell Rollways 23   $ $                              

* This site closes in November

***This campground is closed for the winter season and for construction during the winter season.

 

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Developed Campground Rules

The Huron-Manistee National Forests recreation areas were developed for your use and enjoyment. Please leave it as you would like to find it - neat, clean, and attractive.

The following safety and protection rules should be observed by all visitors to the area:

  • Drive carefully and observe posted speed limits. Park only in designated parking areas. Not more than two motor vehicles are permitted at any camp unit.
  • Motor vehicles of any type are not permitted on trails.
  • Camping is limited to 14 days in a 30-consecutive day period at any campground.
  • Camp only on developed units/sites - maximum 8 people per unit/site. Camping equipment left unattended for more than 24 hours will be removed.
  • Construction of makeshift camp furniture or structures is not permitted.
  • Dead material may be used for fires. Living trees, shrubs, and plants may not be cut or damaged.
  • Build fires only in fireplaces or grates provided.
  • Pets must be confined or on a 6-foot leash at all times. Animals other than seeing eye dogs are not allowed in swimming areas.

Primitive Camping

The following primitive campsites are available to the public. Primitive campsites provide a rustic camping experience with few amenities offered. Vehicle passes are required at all sites other than Podunk, McKinley, and Luzerne. Camping is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Drinking water may not be available for the entire season, so you may want to plan to bring your own.

To receive information not found on this pages or for any problems with any of these pages please email us at: r9 hmnf website@fs.fed.us

Huron Primitive Camping

Sites Site Information
Office
Cooke Pond (General Information and Map ) Huron Shores
Sawmill Point (Map) For general information select General Information and Map from Cooke Pond. Huron Shores
Five Channels Pond (General Information and Map) Huron Shores
Foote Pond (General Information and Map ) Huron Shores
Loud Pond (General Information and Map ) Huron Shores
Lower AuSable (General Information and Map ) Huron Shores
Alcona Pond (General Information and Map ) Huron Shores
SPNMA (General Information and Map ) Huron Shores
Reid Lake (General Information) (Map) Huron Shores
Hoist Lake (General Information) (Map) Huron Shores
Group Sites Site Information
District
Luzerne Camp (Text) Mio
McKinley Camp (Text) Mio
South Branch Camp (Text) Huron Shores

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Manistee Primitive Camping

Sites
Site Information
County
Office
9 Mile South  

Manistee

Cadillac/Manistee
Blacksmith Bayou Boat Launch; Toilets; Fire Rings
Manistee
Cadillac/Manistee
Bowman Farm  
Manistee
Cadillac/Manistee
Bowman Lake * (General Info) (Map) Fire Rings
Lake
Baldwin/White Cloud
Brush Lake * (General Info) Suitable for Trailers; Toilets
Newaygo
Baldwin/White Cloud
Chicago Boy Rollway  
Manistee
Cadillac/Manistee
Condon Lake Suitable for Trailers ; Toilets; Fire Rings
Newaygo
Baldwin/White Cloud
Diamond Point * (General Info) Suitable for Trailers; Toilets; Fire Rings
Oceana
Baldwin/White Cloud
Elm Flats *  
Lake
Cadillac/Manistee
Government Landing Fire Rings; Toilets
Manistee
Cadillac/Manistee
Gravel Pit  
Manistee
Cadillac/Manistee
Hopper Junction  
Manistee
Cadillac/Manistee
Hungerford Lake Fire Rings, Boat Launch   Baldwin/White Cloud
Indian Lake * (General Info) Suitable for Trailers; Fire Rings
Newaygo
Baldwin/White Cloud
Jackpine  
Manistee
Cadillac/Manistee
Little Manistee River (HTML page with General Information )
Cadillac/Manistee
Marzinski Horse Trail and Campground (General Info)
Cadillac/Manistee
Minnie Pond * (General Info) Suitable for Trailers; Toilets
Newaygo
Baldwin/White Cloud
Nordhouse Dunes (HTML page with General Information and Map)
Cadillac/Manistee
Olga Lake  
Lake
Cadillac/Manistee
Podunk Suitable for Trailers, Toilets
Baldwin/White Cloud
Powerline  
Manistee
Cadillac/Manistee
Rainbow Bend * Boat Launch; Toilets
Manistee
Cadillac/Manistee
Ravine * Suitable for Trailers ; Fire Rings; Toilets
Wexford
Cadillac/Manistee
Red Bridge Boat Launch; Fire Ring; Toilets; Tables; Drinking Water available
Manistee
Cadillac/Manistee
Sawdust Hole * Fire Ring; Toilets
Manistee
Cadillac/Manistee
Sawkaw Lake Suitable for Trailers; Toilets
Newaygo
Baldwin/White Cloud
Shelley Lake * (General Info) Suitable for Trailers; Fire Ring; Toilets
Newaygo
Baldwin/White Cloud
Sites between Tippy Dam and Hodenpyl Dam Fire Ring
Manistee
Cadillac/Manistee
Sulak (General Information) Suitable for Trailers, Toilets, Boat Launch/Landing   Baldwin/White Cloud
Tunk Hole Toilets
Manistee
Cadillac/Manistee
Twinwood Lake* (General Info) Suitable for Trailers; Fire Rings; Toilets
Newaygo
Baldwin/White Cloud
Upper Manistee River (Map / Text Only )
Cadillac/Manistee
Walk-Up Lake * ( General Information / Map ) Suitable for Trailers; Toilets; Fire Rings; Tables; Drinking Water Available
Newaygo
Baldwin/White Cloud
Weir Parking Area Toilets
Manistee
Cadillac/Manistee
Whelan Lake Suitable for Trailers; Fire Rings
Mason
Baldwin/White Cloud
* A Huron-Manistee National Forests' vehicle pass is required at this site. Please contact the appropriate Office for complete costs and details.

 

Dispersed Camping

Camping is allowed on most areas of the Forests. A permit is not required to camp on National Forest land. Your campsite must remain at least 200 feet from water and trails. There is no camping allowed within 1/4 mile of the Pine River on the Cadillac Ranger District except at Peterson Bridge Campground or other designated campgrounds along the river. Camping is permitted along the Manistee River and the AuSable River at designated sites only. Camping in dispersed areas is allowed for a maximum of 16 days in a 30 day period on National Forest System lands within a ranger district. Campfires are permitted for cooking and warming. However, be aware of the fire danger and always be sure your campfire is dead out before you leave your campsite. For more detailed information please consult the local Forest Service office in the area where you are recreating.

We welcome you to the Huron-Manistee National Forest and invite you to discover the tranquil beauty of your National Forest. We encourage you to "Leave No Trace" of your visit to the National Forest and to leave the area unspoiled for the next person. Please pack out what you pack in.

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Backpacking and Dispersed/Primitive Camping Rules
  • Camping is allowed anywhere on National Forest land unless otherwise posted.
  • A permit is not required to camp on National Forest land.
  • Your campsite must remain at least 200 feet from water and approximately 150 feet from roads and trails.
  • There is no camping within 1/4 mile (1,320 feet) of the Pere Marquette River on the Baldwin Ranger District.
  • There is no camping within 1/4 mile of the Pine River on the Cadillac Ranger District except at Peterson Bridge Campground and other designated campgrounds.
  • Camping is permitted along the Manistee River and the Au Sable River at designated sites only.
  • Camping is allowed for a period of 16 days in a 30-day period on National Forest lands within a ranger district.
  • There is well water available at our campgrounds.
  • If you are disperse camping, it is recommended you carry a water filter with you.
  • Between the months of March and October/November please be conscious of weather conditions, such as strong wind and dryness in the forest, if you plan to have a campfire.
  • Campfires are permitted for cooking and warming even during high fire danger times.
  • Be sure your campfire is dead out before leaving your campsite.

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Campfire Safety Tips
  • Use a designated fire ring or grill.
  • If there is no designated fire pit, build fire away from overhanging branches and clear flammable vegetation such as leaves and grass away from fire area.
  • Keep fires small.
  • Have a supply of water and a shovel handy to extinguish fire.
  • Do not leave fires unattended.
  • Completely extinguish fire with water before leaving. Fire should be cold to the touch.
  • Be extra careful and don't burn at all when it's windy.
  • If you are using charcoal briquettes, soak them in water until they are cold to the touch before disposal.

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Camping
Fishing
Canoeing
Hiking
Rivers
Watchable Wildlife
Touring
Fees


Huron-Manistee National Forests
1755 S. Mitchell St. Cadillac, MI 49601

Toll Free: 1(800) 821-6263 Phone: 1(231) 775-2421 TTY: 1(231) 775-3183
Fax: 1(231) 775-5551 Email: r9_hmnf_website@fs.fed.us

Site Map
Programs About Us

Recreation-Biking, Boating & Canoeing, Canoe Liveries, Camping, Cross-Country Skiing, Fishing, Hiking, Hunting, Off-Road Vehicle, Sightseeing - Auto Tours, Snowmobiling, Gathering, Prospecting and Rock Collecting, Picnicking/Day Use, Horseback Riding, Wilderness
Fire Suppression & Prevention- Information and Contacts
Planning- Schedule of Proposed Activities, Proposed Projects, Forest Plan
Wildlife- Karner Blue butterfly, Kirtland's warbler
Forestry
Recreation Enhancement Act - What it is, how it works, what sites have fees, where the money goes
Healthy Forest Initiative
GIS Data- maps and GIS data information
Lands- Lands program, Land exchange process
Invasive Species
- Emerald Ash borer, NNIS plant species

About Us- History of the Forest, Links to about us information
Barrier Free- Policy and information
Conditions- Weather, Fire and Emergencies, Fall Color, and Trail Conditions
Contact Us- Office Locations, Feedback, Email, and Commercial Use
Commercial Use
Contracting- Contact Information, Contracting on other National Forests, Engineering Specifications for Roads and Bridges
Disclaimers
Employment- How to get a job with the Federal Government
FAQ's- General, Recreation
Feedback- Let us know what you think
Links- Statewide, Forest Service, Fire, General Forest related information, and Interagency websites
Local Communities- Areas in and around the forest and forest recreation sites
Maps- How to obtain a visitor use or topographical map of the forest, how to obtain a Motor Vehicle Use Map
News- Current and archived news releases
Permits- Recreation, River, Firewood, Christmas Tree, and how to obtain a state burning permit
Privacy Statement
Volunteering
- Adopt a Forest and Plant a Tree