The Manistee River Trail loop in Huron-Manistee National Forests runs roughly 23 miles and supports free dispersed camping along both its east and west banks, accessible by foot, paddle, or a combination of both. The east side, covered by the Manistee River Trail, has designated sites marked along the route, most of them spacious enough for groups and several positioned directly on the water. The North Country Trail runs the west bank, where campers can pitch anywhere off-trail, though the terrain there is hillier and water sources are scarce until the final mile north near a small bridge.
Water access shapes the experience here more than any single amenity. The east-side sites along the MRT sit closer to the river, while bluff-top spots offer elevated positions at a slight distance from water. A small waterfall near mile marker 3 draws consistent attention from hikers passing through. Firewood is generally available to salvage on both sides, though it can run wet depending on recent weather. Ticks are a documented concern, and reviewers recommend checking dogs after any outing.
Weekend crowds arrive early. Sites fill by late Friday evening, particularly during summer months, and anyone arriving after dark may find the better spots already claimed. Seaton Creek Campground and Northern Exposure Campground & RV Park are nearby alternatives for campers who want more structure. As Colin E. puts it, "Best thing to do is camp for 2 nights and take your time." Arriving Thursday or planning a mid-week trip significantly improves the odds of landing a riverside site.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsManistee River Trail Dispersed Camping is located in Michigan near Huron-Manistee National Forests
Coordinates
44.36533305 N
85.82581267 W
Connectivity
T-MobilePossible CoverageVerified by 12 usersLast on 7/23/26
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 7/23/26
AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 7/23/26
Connectivity
- T-MobilePossible CoverageVerified by 12 usersLast on 7/23/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 7/23/26
- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 7/23/26
Access
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- Dispersed
- Group
Features
For Campers
- 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 Manistee River Trail Dispersed Camping needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 42 min from Traverse City, MI
- 1 hr 39 min from Midland, MI
- 1 hr 41 min from Grand Rapids, MI
- 1 hr 49 min from Muskegon, MI
