Camping near Brethren, Michigan offers varied terrain throughout the Manistee National Forest, with elevations ranging from 580 to 920 feet above sea level. The region experiences four distinct seasons with average summer temperatures of 75-80°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. Sandy soil conditions in many camping areas allow for good drainage during rainfall but can make tent stake placement challenging.
What to do
Kayaking the Manistee River: Access river paddling directly from Northern Exposure Campground & RV Park which offers waterfront sites. "Great sites right on the water! The campground offers clean facilities, general store, rentals for the lake, and camp events like movie night. With sites right on the water remember to bring your kayak!" notes Dalton B.
Hiking forest trails: The trails around Seaton Creek Campground provide access to the Manistee River Trail system. Jonathan W. explains, "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."
Salmon fishing: Seasonal salmon runs create prime fishing opportunities. "Go when they release the salmon from the hatchery - you feel all the salmon brush against your kayak as they swim upstream!" advises Joyce B. about river activities near Platte River. September through October offers peak salmon viewing and fishing conditions.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Many campgrounds feature larger-than-average sites. At Seaton Creek Campground, a camper notes: "The sites are large and well maintained. You are surrounded by beautiful pines." Sites at this location can accommodate multiple tents with room to spare.
Clean facilities: Twin Oaks RV Campground and Cabins receives consistently positive reviews for upkeep. One camper remarked, "Camp store was a very nice commodity and the camp ground staff were VERY helpful and friendly. Campsite was well tended and fit my needs."
Fishing access: Direct river access for fishing ranks high in camper satisfaction. A visitor to Tippy Dam Recreation Area noted, "Steps go right down to the river. Good fishing. The campsites are spacious and feature trails that lead directly to the Tippy Dam Backwater. There's also convenient access for launching a boat on either the Manistee River or the backwaters side of the dam."
What you should know
Water access limitations: Despite proximity to water, not all "waterfront" sites have easy water access. A camper at Tippy Dam State Recreation Area cautions: "Campsites along the lake are high overlook campsites with narrow trails down to the water. Minimal swimming area but ours had a small sand bottom."
Seasonal availability: Operating seasons vary significantly across campgrounds. Northern Exposure Campground operates May 1 to November 30, while Seaton Creek Campground has a shorter season from May 15 to September 14. Winter camping options are limited to Tippy Dam and select dispersed sites.
Reservation requirements: Manistee River Trail Dispersed Camping doesn't require permits but gets crowded on weekends. "Great dispersed camping area to getaway! Can sometimes get busy on the weekends, but nothing like a normal campsite," reports Josh D. For holiday weekends, book established campgrounds 3-6 months in advance.
Tips for camping with families
Family-friendly activities: Northern Exposure Campground offers organized events for children. One reviewer notes: "Nice little camp store and pizza restaurant on site. Great playground, evening activities. Nice mix of electric hook up, R.V. and tent sites. Boat rentals, etc. Great place for a group of families to come camp together."
Swimming options: Sand Lake Campground provides a supervised swimming area. "Sand Lake is a quiet wooded campground... The lake is clean and quiet for the most part, although there are usually a couple of motorized boats out on weekends," says John W.
Bear awareness: Secure food storage is essential with confirmed bear activity. At Government Landing Campground, campsites are directly on backwaters with no barriers between camp and forest. One camper notes the area is "beautiful and peaceful" but recommends storing all food securely.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose sites carefully based on rig size. At Twin Oaks Campground, "Nice spot near the Pine River" is available but Mark K. notes "Was a little dusty," suggesting gravel or dirt access roads that may be challenging for larger rigs during dry conditions.
Hookup availability: Northern Exposure Campground offers full hookup options. A camper shares: "I think they have a few full hookup sites but all sites have electric and water. We stayed at the the north end of the campground in back which was very quiet during the weekday."
Road conditions: Access roads to campgrounds like Marzinski Horse Trail Campground can be navigated by larger rigs but require caution. "We stayed here in our van and it was just what we needed. I wish we had a place to dump our grey water, but otherwise it was an easy drive in and had fresh water," notes Tobi W.
