Hiking, paddling, and swimming draw campers to Huron-Manistee National Forest near Cadillac, Michigan, where the Manistee River Trail and North Country Trail connect into a roughly 20-mile loop that can be completed without backtracking. The forest sits within a section of the Lower Peninsula known for notable elevation changes, giving hikers ridge-top sites with open sightlines over the river valley as well as riverbank clearings just above the waterline. Dispersed camping here means no assigned spots. Sites are marked but spread across a large area, so reviewers recommend having at least two or three locations mapped before arriving to avoid accidentally camping on private land.
Water access is a consistent draw. Campers report swimming, kayaking, and fishing along the Manistee River, and sandy dunes appear in spots along the riverbank that feel out of place for inland Michigan. Nikki M. describes it simply as "super rustic and right on the river." Stream water is available along the trail, though reviewers strongly recommend carrying a filter rather than relying on it untreated.
Access roads can be rough, and some single-track roads through the forest carry ATV traffic during the day, though reviewers note it typically quiets after dark. Pets are permitted, and several visitors report bringing dogs without issue. Cell service is listed as available, though coverage may vary by site location. Campers looking for a developed alternative nearby can find Alcona Canoe Rental and Campground a few miles to the southeast, with more structured amenities along the same river corridor.
Description
Lying between the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron in the northern half of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, the nearly one-million-acre Huron-Manistee National Forests are located in a transition zone between forested lands to the north and agricultural lands to the south. The Huron-Manistee National Forests contain rare ecological features, such as dry sand prairie remnants, coastal marshlands, dunes, oak savannahs, fens, bogs and marshes. Working hand in hand with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and other partners, the Huron-Manistee National Forests have made great progress in recovering these lands but a great deal of work remains, much of which is being done through partnerships.The Huron-Manistee National Forests provide recreation opportunities for visitors, habitat for fish and wildlife, and resources for local industry.
Reservation Info
A permit to camp is not necessary. Some sites do require a reservation.
Check the website for specific instructions
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsHuron-Manistee National Forest is located in Michigan near Brethren
Address
1755 S Mitchell St.
Cadillac, MI
Coordinates
44.58459388245278 N
83.84266877436373 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Dispersed
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
DISPERSED CAMPING
Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Huron-Manistee National Forest needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 1 hr 29 min from Bay City, MI
- 1 hr 39 min from Saginaw, MI
- 1 hr 39 min from Midland, MI
- 1 hr 49 min from Traverse City, MI
