The sound of the Pine River running alongside camp is the first thing most visitors notice at Silver Creek State Forest Campground, a small first-come, first-served site near Luther, Michigan, within campgrounds around Manistee National Forest. The campground sits at under 30 sites total, with a handful of drive-in spots and a separate cluster of walk-in sites grouped in a loop right along the water. Firewood is scarce on the grounds themselves, so plan to bring your own or stop at a vendor down the road before arriving.
The walk-in sites draw the most consistent praise. Reviewers describe them as more secluded than the drive-in loop, which tends to attract RVs and can carry more noise. Cell service is limited to spotty at best in the parking area, with none reported at most sites. "The water is very peaceful to listen to while falling asleep," notes Mike B., whose experience reflects what many repeat visitors seek here. Raccoons are active at night and reportedly persistent, so food storage matters.
Weekend use picks up considerably, particularly among kayakers running multi-day trips down Silver Creek. Weekdays are noticeably quieter and easier for securing a site. A recurring concern in recent reviews involves a small group of regulars who hold sites for extended periods using open-ended registration slips, which can frustrate visitors arriving to find few spots genuinely available. The campground has no on-site ranger, so enforcement of quiet hours and site rules is inconsistent.
The Silver Creek Pathway provides an 8-mile hiking loop that traces the river, and the Lincoln Bridge State Forest Campground sits roughly a mile to the northwest along the same trail corridor, making a point-to-point hike feasible. "Beautiful hiking trail and river," Birgit H. sums up simply. Supply towns are sparse in this part of Michigan, so stock up before leaving home. Campers wanting a reservation-based alternative with more structure might consider Carrieville State Forest Campground to the south.
Description
Sites available on a first-come, first-serve basis. No reservations. 26 sites for tent and small trailer use located on the scenic Pine River. This campground offers opportunity for hiking and mountain biking on its Silver Creek Pathway. Nearby canoe landing provides access to the river. Rustic campground includes vault toilets and potable water from well hand pump.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsSilver Creek State Forest Campground is located in Michigan near Luther
Directions
Located 5.5 miles north of Luther via State Road.
Coordinates
44.12077168 N
85.68238967 W
Connectivity
- T-MobileLTESome Coverage
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileLTESome Coverage
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Water Hookups
Drive Time
- 1 hr 6 min from Traverse City, MI
- 1 hr 20 min from Grand Rapids, MI
- 1 hr 32 min from Midland, MI
- 1 hr 36 min from Muskegon, MI




























