Government Landing Access

Closed — Closed for the season. Opens April 1 and operates through November 30. The main access road becomes a snowmobile trail in winter. No reservations; first-come, first-served when open.

About

Government Landing Access is part of the Upper Manistee River dispersed camping system in Manistee National Forest, offering free primitive camping along one of Michigan's premier paddling rivers. This small camping area includes 3 designated campsites, each equipped with a picnic table, fire ring, and lantern hook. A vault toilet is located within walking distance of the sites. The campground is named for nearby Government Island and provides direct access to the Upper Manistee River via a boat ramp, making it popular with paddlers, kayakers, and anglers. The location sees heavy use during the camping season. Campers must bring their own water, as no potable water is available on-site. The main access road follows a powerline corridor that becomes a designated snowmobile trail in winter. The area is managed by the Huron-Manistee National Forests and follows standard forest regulations. No reservations are accepted; all sites are first-come, first-served.

Directions

From Manistee: Travel east on M-55 for 15 miles. Turn left and travel north on High Bridge Road for 6 miles. Turn right and travel east on Coates Highway for 3.5 miles. Turn right and travel south on Dilling Road for 2.5 miles. Turn left and travel northeast on Upper River Road for 2.5 miles to the entrance. From Brethren: Drive 3.5 miles east on Coates Highway. Turn right onto Dilling Road and drive 2.5 miles. Turn left onto Upper River Road and drive 2.5 miles northeast to the entrance.

Nearby Campgrounds