Tent campsites near Beulah, Michigan offer access to the Manistee National Forest and Sleeping Bear Dunes, situated at elevations between 580-900 feet. The region experiences summer highs averaging 75-82°F with cooler nights dropping to 55-60°F. Most backpacking routes follow moderate terrain with 100-300 foot elevation changes across glacial moraines that form the distinctive rolling landscape.
What to do
Waterfall exploration: Near the Manistee River Trail, hikers can find small waterfalls and scenic river bends. "Make sure to check out the mini-waterfall near mile marker 3!" notes a camper at Manistee River Trail Dispersed Camping.
Island adventure: South Manitou Island offers historical sites accessible by ferry from the mainland. A visitor explains, "The island has a Light house that has daily tours, a ship wreck and old growth ceder trees you can hike to along with the dunes," making South Manitou Island Group a destination requiring at least a full day to explore.
Multi-day backpacking loop: The 23-mile Manistee River/North Country Trail loop offers varying terrain and campsites. "Start at Red Bridge Access, and you can do a 23 mile loop covering miles on the North Country Trail (west side) and the Manistee River Trail (on the east side)," recommends an experienced hiker at Manistee River Trail Dispersed Camping.
Fishing opportunities: Local lakes provide good fishing access, particularly for families. A visitor to Insta-Launch Campground notes, "Its quiet here a nice cleaning station lots of 🐟" with docks available for launching small watercraft.
What campers like
Secluded camping spots: Backcountry sites at Weather Station Campground offer privacy with scenic views. "Weather Station Campground is located on a sandy bluff overlooking Lake Michigan and the mainland with picturesque places to enjoy your morning coffee," describes a camper at Weather Station Campground.
Easy access to beaches: Many tent sites provide direct lake access. A camper at Popple Campground reports, "The island is beautiful, and the beach area was amazing! Very clean, and private. Felt like we were on our own little island."
Scenic overlooks: Campsites positioned along bluffs provide exceptional views. "Site 16 is the site to stay at, with relatively easy access to the lake for water," notes a Weather Station Campground visitor who set up "a carabiner to secure a line to a tree in the camp and tossed the other end down" to help climb back up from the lake.
Simple amenities: Despite being rustic, many campgrounds provide basic necessities. At Crystal Forest Campground, "Sue, the host, is lovely and accommodating. She made us feel very comfortable and checked on us often. Full hook up at each site, and pit toilets if needed."
What you should know
Water access challenges: Most backcountry sites require water treatment systems. At South Manitou Island, "There is no access to clean drinking water at the campground, so plan on filtering water from Lake Michigan, or walking approximately 1.5 miles to the dock area to collect water there."
Island camping preparation: Ferry schedules can be affected by weather conditions. "The ferry is unable to reach the island in dangerous weather conditions," warns a Weather Station camper, while another advises, "I'd recommend bringing more food than you think you need, in case the weather turns and the ferry can't pick you up on the day planned."
Pest management: Bug protection is essential in warmer months. A visitor at Healy Lake State Forest Campground recommends bringing "your own wood and ice" while another camper mentions, "bring deet" to manage the "bloodthirsty mosquitos" at Weather Station.
Campsite availability: First-come, first-served sites fill quickly on weekends. "We arrived late Friday and most spots were taken. I'd imagine most spots are scoped out earlier in the evening," reports a Manistee River Trail camper who found the trail "with a decent amount of campsites" but competition for the best spots.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly introductory backpacking: White Pine Backcountry Camp offers shorter hiking distances suitable for children. "We ran into a group of young girls from a nearby summer camp who were experiencing their first 'backpacking' adventure. They were adorable and having a ton of fun," notes a visitor at White Pine Backcountry Camp.
Lake activities for children: Beaches and shallow water areas provide safe play spaces. A camper at South Manitou Island Group recalls, "We ate sweet plums that were ripe from one of the old trees on one of the farms. We camped at the Weather Station Campground and swam daily."
Wildlife awareness: Food storage preparation helps prevent unwanted visitors. "There are no food storage lockers, so food must be properly hung from a tree or stored in a bear canister to avoid being stolen by the microbears (aka chipmunks)!" warns a Weather Station camper.
Weather preparedness: Temperature fluctuations can be significant, especially in spring and fall. A Manistee River Trail camper shared, "We went in late May and it got down to freezing temps the first night. Hammock was not the best option but always made for a good story to tell your friends."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV accessibility: Most tent sites near Beulah are not suitable for large RVs. At Insta-Launch Campground & Marina, however, one visitor notes it was "Standard RV dirt camp. Had good ice cream," making it one of the few options for RV campers seeking a base to explore the area.
Alternative accommodation: Some campgrounds offer cabins for those wanting a compromise between tent camping and RVs. A bicycle camper at Insta-Launch Campground found "The staff were absolutely wonderful. We came on bicycles and they let us stay only one night even though the typical minimum stay is 2 nights. The manager even gave us a few dollar discount for our site."
Amenities for longer stays: RV campers appreciate sites with additional facilities. "They have a big camp shop, excellent ice cream, flush toilets, free showers, and coin laundry! Wifi throughout the campground allowed us to watch tv from inside our tent," reports a satisfied Insta-Launch visitor.
