Paddlers and hikers arriving at Old US-131 State Forest Campground find direct access to the Manistee River and the North Country Trail (NCT) without leaving the campground. The NCT and the Fife Lake Loop trailhead sit within the campground itself, making it a functional staging point for backpacking trips or day hikes through the surrounding Cadillac State Forest Area. River access supports kayaking, canoeing, and fishing, though at least one reviewer noted that the path from the campground to the Manistee was in rough condition, so it's worth checking before counting on it for a put-in.
Sites are wooded and spaced out, with reviewers consistently noting that the campground rarely fills. The setup is rustic: vault toilets, a hand pump for potable water, picnic tables, and campfire rings. Cell coverage has been reported at two bars on AT&T. Campers coming in with larger rigs should take note that the access road runs tight; as Amy D. puts it, "Do not recommend coming in with a long trailer as it was tight driving through." The campground lists a 20-foot RV maximum.
The campground is open year-round and has drawn winter visitors hiking the NCT as well as fall campers drawn by the foliage along the river corridor. Fees have been reported at $15 per night. Nearby, Chippewa Landing Campground provides an alternative for those who want a comparable river-access experience in the same stretch of forest. This campground works best for paddlers, backpackers, and anyone who wants a low-amenity base for trail and river use.
Description
Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. The Michigan Recreation Passport does not cover local, county, municipal, or metropolitan parks or recreation areas. Learn more: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/buy-and-apply/rec-pp
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsOld US-131 State Forest Campground is located in Michigan near Fife Lake
Public CampgroundDirections
From town: Go 6 mi N on US 131 & Old US 131.
Coordinates
44.49105985 N
85.42052218 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GGood Coverage
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 7/6/26
AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/22/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GGood Coverage
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 7/6/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/22/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
Drive Time
- 34 min from Traverse City, MI
- 1 hr 27 min from Midland, MI
- 1 hr 41 min from Bay City, MI
- 1 hr 55 min from Muskegon, MI
