Tent campsites near Custer, Michigan sit within the Manistee National Forest's mixed hardwood ecosystem at elevations between 800-1,000 feet. The area features sandy soil and moderate rainfall averaging 32 inches annually. Summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F during day, dropping to 50-60°F at night, making sleeping bags necessary even in summer months.
What to do
Fishing access: Several campgrounds offer direct river or lake connections. At Gleasons Landing, "very small, somewhat remote campground... Overlooks the Pere Marquette river and has a small sandy shore where you can get into the water to cool off or do some fishing." Another camper mentions this is "a landing spot for folks that rent kayaks or canoes from Baldwin."
Lighthouse hiking: Camping near Lake Michigan provides access to historic structures. Jackpine Hike-In Campground campers mention "walked to the lighthouse for sunset and was not disappointed" and note it's "about half way from the modern campgrounds to the Lighthouse on Lake Michigan, and it's centrally located to all the hiking trails."
River paddling: The Pere Marquette River offers canoeing and kayaking opportunities. At Elk Canoe Campground, "Elk is a great place to spend the night after a day of paddling or fishing. There are four sites with decent space between them." Access requires navigation skills as "the landing is a steep bank with large rocks on the river bank."
What campers like
Private beach access: Some campgrounds offer secluded shoreline. At Jackpine, "there's also a large dune about 50 feet from the campground with a walking path over and the other side is Lake Michigan and a beach... I didn't see anyone going over the dune to that beach all weekend - so if you want your own private beach, this is a great campground."
Low crowds: Many sites provide isolation even during peak seasons. Bowman Lake Campground is described as "very rustic and walk-in only, but great place to get away for a bit. Barely any people as well." Another camper notes it's "out of the way" with "great little camp spot right off the lake."
Fall foliage viewing: The mixed forests provide excellent autumn color displays. At Leverentz Lake State Forest Campground, "Reviews of the lake and the Fall colors, it really just doesn't get any better than this." The campground has "large sites with lake views" that maximize scenic opportunities.
What you should know
Cost variations: Pricing differs significantly between locations. Leverentz Lake costs "$15 per night, and out of state is another $9 per vehicle, in state is $17 per vehicle." Some campgrounds like Timber Creek run "really cheap" at $10/night with a 14-day limit.
Water access challenges: Water availability varies dramatically. Timber Creek has a "water pump is available, though I can't speak to the quality." At Leverentz Lake, there's "one hand pump water source at the entrance, no electric."
Fire pit limitations: Some locations restrict cooking setups. At Timber Creek Campground, "the fire pits have a higher wall around them with a grill on top you cannot remove. Great for cooking food, but if you're looking to sit by the fire to warm up, you'd probably be better off with a portable heater."
Pest awareness: Insects can be prevalent. A Timber Creek camper warned "it was infested with ticks" during May. At Bowman Lake, visitors recommend to "make sure you bring bug spray."
Tips for camping with families
Wagon transportation: For walk-in sites, bring equipment to move gear. At Jackpine Hike-In, "the hike in is very flat and, other than a few deeper sandy spots, really easy to traverse... One group had pulled everything in on a wagon and another family had used kids bike trailers on the back of their bikes to make a couple extra trips."
Restroom conditions: Toilet facilities vary significantly. Gleasons Landing has "two pit toilets for six sites and both were clean." Jackpine features "clean outhouses (with lots of TP in each), and hand sanitizer in each outhouse."
Access for children: Some locations have challenging terrain. At Whelan Lake Campground, "access to the river from the site down a 70 degree descent, so not ideal for small kids or old folk."
Tips from RVers
Site sizing: Most rustic campgrounds accommodate small RVs only. Leverentz Lake "sites are large enough and could handle a small travel trailer, Class B RV, truck camper, or several tents." The sites "are large enough and spaced far enough apart that even if it were full you would not feel crowded."
Electrical access: Limited powered sites exist in the region. Enchanted Pebawma Lake Campground offers "power available at sites, no shower and rustic" facilities, making it one of few options for those needing hookups within 35 minutes of Silver Lake Sand Dunes.
