Lake Michigan At Manistee
The campground opens for the 2026 season on May 9 as first-come-first-served, with reservable sites available starting May 10. Water systems are not operational until May 10 due to road restrictions preventing timely maintenance. Campers arriving before May 10 should bring all necessary drinking water. Season runs through mid-October.
From Recreation.gov
**Due to current conditions, water may not be available to the public until May 10th**. Please plan accordingly and **bring necessary water for your stay**. Current Road restrictions prevent a timely opening of our water systems. We apologize for the inconvenience and we are doing our best to provide water to the public as soon as possible.
About
Lake Michigan Recreation Area sits on the eastern banks of Lake Michigan in the Huron-Manistee National Forests, offering an exceptional Great Lakes camping experience. The four-loop campground features 99 single-family sites and 3 group sites nestled in a hardwood forest that transitions to a beautiful sandy beach. Facilities include vault toilets, drinking water spigots, picnic tables at each site, a playground, amphitheater, and an overlook deck with stunning lake views. The campground serves as a gateway to outdoor recreation with trout fishing in Lake Michigan, swimming at the sandy beach, and hiking opportunities. Bird watchers can spot unique species including piping plovers and prairie warblers. The Arrowhead Trail, created by Boy Scouts, forms a loop between the campground and beach while also connecting to the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area trailhead for extended backcountry exploration.
Directions
From Manistee, travel south on US-31 for 10 miles. Turn right and travel west on W. Forest Trail Rd. for 8 miles. W. Forest Trail Rd. becomes FR 5629. Continue west on FR 5629 to the campground.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | — |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | — |
| Wifi | — |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | — |
| Price | $40 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 54ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 54ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | — |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| sm.fs.hmnf@usda.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (231) 848-7090 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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