Old US-131 State Forest Campground, near Fife Lake, Michigan, is a rustic retreat that offers a peaceful escape into nature. With its spacious, wooded sites, it’s a perfect spot for those looking to unwind and enjoy the great outdoors.

This campground is known for its clean facilities, including vault toilets and a hand pump for drinking water. Campers appreciate the quiet atmosphere, especially during the fall when the colors are stunning and the crowds are thin. One visitor noted, “I love going around September so quiet... loads of trails to walk on.”

Outdoor activities abound, with the nearby Manistee River providing excellent opportunities for kayaking and canoeing. The North Country Trail runs right through the area, making it easy for backpackers to access the campground. As one happy camper put it, “Fantastic little campground, right on the Manistee River.”

While there are no electric hookups or showers, the campground allows for campfires, making it a great place to gather around the fire and share stories. Just keep in mind that the sites are not designed for big rigs, so it’s best suited for tents or smaller RVs. If you’re looking for a serene spot to reconnect with nature, Old US-131 State Forest Campground is definitely worth a visit.

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

Old US-131 State Forest Campground

Are you in need of a campground near Fife Lake, MI? Fife Lake is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. Find the best campgrounds near Fife Lake, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.

Fife Lake

The Best Camping Near Fife Lake, Michigan

Fantastic little campground, right on the Manistee River. Potable water and vault toilets so it's definitely rustic. It was super quiet when we were there so we had a great time. The NCT follows the river right into the campground so you can backpack in or car camp. 

Great for kayaking/canoeing as well. We put in upriver a ways where there was parking and got out right at the campground. It was close enough that we could follow the trail along the river back to our car since we only had one. Awesome spot!

Awesome, secluded spot 

I love going around September so quiet a few people there loads of trails to walk on and people are very respectful I keep going every year

Peace

we first passed by this campground on a canoe trip along the manistee river, and flagged it to return to stay another time. we finally went last fall with our pup and had a really nice, peaceful weekend trip. our site was spacious and wooded, gorgeous colors in the fall. there aren't very many sites and they are spaced out well. only two other sites occupied all weekend.  

  

it was cold and rainy so we passed on hiking. we decided instead to drive around and explore the traverse city area and some of the dog friendly parts of sleeping bear dunes national lakeshore. had a great time and would definitely recommend it  

  

we were hoping to come back this spring and backpack the fife lake loop, with one night camping here. seems like a great spot for that kind of trip. coronavirus got in the way, but we might try again in the fall.

nice rustic campground with spacious sites

We stopped here for one night while traveling south toward our home from six nights at Platte River.  We picked the one site (#11) that had the least trees because it was rainy and dank. We were scouting the area for a future kayak trip. The access from the campground to the Manistee was in bad shape and very unsafe. Only my husband used the pit toilet during our short stay and there was a working hand pump for water, but we came in with water and did not use that. The fee was $15 and not what I would consider a bargain.

Do not recommend coming in with a long trailer as it was tight driving through. We had our pick-up and 22-foot trailer.

We had two bars with ATT on our phones.

Not the best choice

We car camped in February to hike the NCT.  Clean toilets, gorgeous wooded setting, nice flat spot.   Will be back. 

Great woodsy spot

Nice campground. The NCT and Fife lake loop trailhead is right in the campground. There is also Manistee river access for kayaking and fishing. Good sized campsites but some are directly across from each other. A little bit of noise off in the distance sometimes but not sure where it was coming from other than that it was quiet and peaceful

Photos of Old US-131 State Forest Campground

Real photos from real campers