Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites
Open year-round but not plowed in winter. Reservations required through Recreation.gov from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, limited to 3-day maximum per reservation. First-come, first-served the rest of the year.
Air Quality Alert issued July 17 at 9:09AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is continuing the Air Quality Alert for Friday July 17, and Saturday July 18. The alert is in effect due to elevated levels of fine particulates (PM2.5). Pollutants are expected to be in the Hazardous category for today for northern Michigan...and in the Very Unhealthy range on Saturday. The alert is in effect for the following northern Michigan counties: Emmet... Cheboygan...Presque Isle...Charlevoix...Leelanau...Antrim... Otsego... Montmorency...Alpena...Benzie...Grand Traverse...Kalkaska... Crawford...Oscoda...Alcona...Manistee...Wexford...Missaukee... Roscommon...Ogemaw...Iosco...Gladwin...Arenac...Chippewa...and Mackinac Plumes of smoke from Canadian wildfires continue to drift across northern Michigan. Elevated fine particulate due to the smoke will continue through Saturday. The threat of increased ozone may also come into play Saturday. Everyone should seek cleaner air indoors and avoid strenuous outdoor activities...especially those with heart disease and respiratory diseases such as asthma. Watch for symptoms including wheezing... coughing...chest tightness...dizziness...or burning in nose... throat...and eyes. Tips for households: Keep windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from getting indoors and, if possible, run central air conditioning with MERV-13 or higher rated filters. If you must be outdoors... wear an N95 or P100 respirator marked with "NIOSH" For up-to-date air quality data for Michigan, visit the MiAir site: https://michigan.gov/MiAir For up-to-date air quality data nationally, visit EPA's Air Now site: https://www.airnow.gov For further health information, please see MDHHS' Wildfire Smoke and Your Health site at https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/safety-injury- prev/environmental-health/your-health-and-wildfire-smoke.
Air Quality Alert issued July 16 at 11:50AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has issued an Air Quality Alert for today and Friday July 17, for elevated levels of fine particulates (PM2.5) due to wildfire smoke. Pollutants will be in the Hazardous range. The alert is in effect for all of northern Michigan. This includes the following counties, Roscommon, Charlevoix, Missaukee, Wexford, Beaver Island and surrounding islands, Mackinac Island/Bois Blanc Island, Manistee, Emmet, Iosco, Ogemaw, Presque Isle, Cheboygan, Eastern Mackinac, Alcona, Western Mackinac, Montmorency, Southeast Chippewa, Otsego, Central Chippewa, Antrim, Western Chippewa, Arenac, Leelanau, Kalkaska, Grand Traverse, Benzie, Alpena, Oscoda, Crawford, and Gladwin. It is recommended that everyone should seek cleaner air indoors, and keep activity levels low. While indoors, you can improve indoor air quality by: closing windows and minimize opening of doors; use HVAC systems with MERV-13 filters or higher, or use portable air cleaners; and avoid activities that make indoor air quality worse, such as burning candles, using vacuums without a HEPA filter, using gas stoves, smoking, and spraying aerosol products. If you must be outdoors for short periods of time, an N95 or P100 respirator marked with NIOSH is recommended. The respirator should fit tightly, collapse as you breathe in, and not let air in from the sides. Do not use masks for children under age 2. For up-to-date air quality data for Michigan, visit the MiAir site: https://michigan.gov/MiAir For up-to-date air quality data nationally, visit EPA's Air Now site: https://www.airnow.gov For further health information, please see MDHHS' Wildfire Smoke and Your Health site at https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/safety-injury- prev/environmental-health/your-health-and-wildfire-smoke.
Air Quality Alert issued July 16 at 9:16AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has issued an Air Quality Alert for today and Friday July 17, for elevated levels of fine particulates (PM2.5) due to wildfire smoke. Pollutants are expected to range from Very Unhealthy to Hazardous. The alert is in effect for all of northern Michigan. This includes the following counties, Roscommon, Charlevoix, Missaukee, Wexford, Beaver Island and surrounding islands, Mackinac Island/Bois Blanc Island, Manistee, Emmet, Iosco, Ogemaw, Presque Isle, Cheboygan, Eastern Mackinac, Alcona, Western Mackinac, Montmorency, Southeast Chippewa, Otsego, Central Chippewa, Antrim, Western Chippewa, Arenac, Leelanau, Kalkaska, Grand Traverse, Benzie, Alpena, Oscoda, Crawford, and Gladwin. It is recommended that, when possible, you avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially those with heart disease and respiratory diseases such as asthma. Watch for symptoms including wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or burning in nose, throat, and eyes. You can help reduce air pollution by limiting activities, such as outdoor burning, and use of residential wood burning devices. Tips for households: Keep windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from getting indoors and, if possible, run central air conditioning with MERV-13 or higher rated filters. For up-to-date air quality data for Michigan, visit the MiAir site: https://michigan.gov/MiAir For up-to-date air quality data nationally, visit EPA's Air Now site: https://www.airnow.gov For further health information, please see MDHHS' Wildfire Smoke and Your Health site at https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/safety-injury- prev/environmental-health/your-health-and-wildfire-smoke.
About
The Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites are primitive dispersed sites situated on the Manistee River backwaters of Tippy Dam Pond, between Tippy Dam and Hodenpyl Dam. The area is divided into two access points: Government Landing features 7 sites (5 waterfront, 2 on higher ground), while Red Bridge River Access offers 4 walk-in only sites with easy river access. Both locations have boat ramps for motorized and non-motorized watercraft. This is one of the more scenic areas in Manistee National Forest, where the Manistee River meanders through native hardwoods and pines with steep slopes and sharp turns. Wildlife viewing opportunities include bald eagles, loons, trumpeter swans, black bears, white-tailed deer, river otters, and turtles. Fishing is excellent on the Manistee River, known for its trout and salmon runs. Hiking opportunities abound with the North Country Trail and Manistee River Trail nearby, both offering excellent views of the forested terrain and river. Sites are limited to a maximum of 8 people and 2 vehicles (20 ft max length each). Visitors may occupy the same location for up to 16 days before relocating.
Directions
From the intersection of M-55 and M-37, head west on M-55 for 2.7 miles. Turn right onto N Warfield Rd and travel north for 5.1 miles. Turn left onto N Coates Hwy and travel west until you cross the bridge over the Manistee River. Red Bridge campsites are on the left. For Government Landing, continue west on N Coates Hwy toward Upper River Rd for 0.6 miles, turn left onto River Rd/Upper River Rd and head south for 1.3 miles; Government Landing campsites are on the left.
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 20ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 20ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| sm.fs.hmnf@usda.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (231) 723-2211 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| View on Recreation.gov | |
| Huron-Manistee NF Recreation Site |
Availability
Photos
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