Seaton Creek Campground, near Manistee, Michigan, is a fantastic spot for those looking to unwind in nature. With spacious sites surrounded by beautiful pines, it’s perfect for setting up camp and enjoying the great outdoors.

This campground is known for its proximity to the Manistee River Trail, making it an ideal starting point for hiking adventures. Visitors rave about the trails, with one camper noting, “trails galore,” and another highlighting the easy access to the river for some fun in the water. Plus, the camp host is friendly and offers firewood for sale, so you can cozy up by the fire after a day of exploring.

Amenities include clean vault toilets and a hand-pump for drinking water, which campers appreciate. While there are no electric hookups or showers, the peaceful atmosphere and the sound of trickling water create a relaxing environment. As one happy camper put it, “I love being right next to the water,” which adds to the charm of this location.

Whether you're here for a quick getaway or a longer stay, Seaton Creek Campground offers a welcoming atmosphere and plenty of opportunities to connect with nature. Just remember to bring your sense of adventure and maybe a few friends to enjoy the spacious sites!

## Overview

 Seaton Creek Campground adjoins Seaton Creek and is at the upper end of the backwater of Hodenpyl Dam Pond on the Big Manistee River. The forest surrounding the campground is mostly pine and the sites are rustic. The closest town is Mesick.
## Recreation

 The surrounding waters offer excellent fishing opportunities for both panfish (perch, bluegil, crappie, sunfish) and game fish (trout, bass, pike, salmon). For State Fishing Regulations consult the Michigan Department of Natural Resources website, website [ http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/ ][1]. Kayakers may access the campground by traveling up the very shallow Seaton Creek, however canoeing is not recommended unless you're putting in at the Hodenpyl Backwaters. From there, you can canoe the Big Manistee. There is a connector trail to the Manistee River Trail from this site. The North Country National Scenic Trail can be reached by crossing the suspension bridge over the Manistee River. The Upper Branch Trailhead is also nearby. 
## Natural Features

 The terrain surrounding Hodenpyl Dam Pond is characterized as hilly with a mix of hardwoods and conifers. Briar Hill, which has the second-highest elevation in the lower peninsula, is located about five miles east of Hodenpyl Dam Pond. A number of other tributaries enter Hodenpyl Dam Pond from the east, flowing off the slopes of Briar Hill. These streams are characterized by very high gradient and cold temperatures. They include Seaton Creek, Small Creek, Preston Creek, Cripple Creek, and several unnamed streams. These streams mostly host a mix of brown and brook trout, although a few have only brook trout. The trailhead for the Manistee River Trail is within the campground. 

[1]: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/

Seaton Creek Campground

Are you in need of a campground near Mesick, MI? Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Mesick campgrounds just for you. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Mesick and user-submitted reviews.

Mesick

The Best Camping Near Mesick, Michigan

This campsite is very nice and pretty clean. It's right by the second largest suspension bridge in Michigan. Great please to stay before you canoe or kayak the Manistee river.

Love this place

I only spent a night here but will absolutely be returning. The sites are large and well maintained. You are surrounded by beautiful pines. I wasn't able to explore as much as I liked to but hear there are great trails and you are in walking distance of water.

Great Campground! 

The space we rented was supposedly big enough for 25 people! I couldn’t believe how big the spaces were. I don’t like how small the private drives to the sites are though, makes it impossible to back out. The dirt roads leading to the sites were hard to navigate as well and made me go in circles. There is no entrance map so I had to use GPS which took me to a dead end. It was a great site however and had small trails around the lake nearby, along with a suspension bridge. 

Large lots & Happy trails

1) the drinking water is fantastic
2) trails galore
3) spacious campsites 

3 Things is all you need

Seaton Creek is the campground that is near the start of the Manistee River Trail. There is day hiker parking right in the camp. This is the perfect start to exploring a beautiful trail. 1 mile of trail gets you to the Manistee trail. You can cross the suspension bridge and hike the North Country Trail. Both are great but have different vibes. The Manistee trail is more up and down with plenty of backpacking campsites. The North Country trail drifts away from the river into the forest and makes its way back. 

  

Seaton Creek Campground has spacious sites that are spread apart. Some are closer than others but it’s nice to have choices. Clean vault toilets and a hand-pump for water can be found. The camp host has firewood for sale or you can stop at a local house on the drive in. Even with the forest, we still had enough sun for our solar panel to charge up the battery. 

With only 1 dot of cell signal, just turn it off and know you can still call out in an emergency.

Spacious sites with lots of wooded surroundings 

I enjoyed this campground quiet for the most part except for one guest wanting to play his music really loud at 11:00 p.m. at night but that was shut down. There is restrooms no running water at the restrooms. There is a spot to get water on the loop. There is firewood for sale at the camp host spot. This campground is also the starting point for a really long hike. About to try the short version.

Friendly camp host

I had to finally leave a review because this was my second time here recently. I love being right next to the water, I love the trails hugging the river and Creek and pond, the host Frank has been so nice, and he told us about a rope swing across the river if you take a particular path. I've never done a rope swing before and I can't wait to do it again. The ground was the most wonderful feeling sleeping on it this second time around. I don't know why, but maybe because there was a thunderstorm a few hours before we came and it softened the ground just enough where we didn't sink in but we also weren't killing our body. There's really nothing bad I can say about this campground, except for the $20 fee per night. But honestly, it's worth it. Every penny.

Photos of Seaton Creek Campground

Real photos from real campers