Best Campgrounds near Luther, MI

The Luther, Michigan area encompasses several established campgrounds within the Manistee National Forest, offering a mix of state forest and private camping facilities. Silver Creek State Forest Campground and Carrieville State Forest Campground provide rustic camping experiences directly in Luther, while nearby options like Coolwater on the Pine River Campground and Twin Oaks RV Campground and Cabins offer more amenities. The region supports various accommodation types including tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals, with most campgrounds situated near rivers or lakes. Campgrounds like Leverentz Lake State Forest Campground and Sand Lake Campground provide water access for fishing and boating activities.

Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping in the Luther area, with most state forest campgrounds operating from April through October. Winter camping options are limited, though Silver Creek State Forest Campground remains open year-round. Road access varies throughout the region, with some campgrounds like Sulak requiring higher clearance vehicles on forest roads. Cellular coverage can be inconsistent in more remote areas, though service is generally available at developed campgrounds. Water sources at state forest campgrounds typically include hand pumps or wells, while private campgrounds offer more extensive hookups. A visitor noted that "this campground is absolutely gorgeous, clean, well kept and each site area of pitching is nesseled into the woods while having easy access to vehicle."

Campers report high satisfaction with waterfront sites, particularly those along the Pine River which offers recreational opportunities. Several campgrounds in the area feature picnic tables and fire rings, with most state forest sites providing vault toilets rather than shower facilities. Private campgrounds like Coolwater and Twin Oaks offer more amenities including showers, electric hookups, and camp stores. The proximity to rivers creates popular fishing and paddling opportunities, with the Pine River being a notable attraction. Visitors appreciate the balance of natural settings with reasonable access to amenities. The mixed-use campgrounds accommodate various camping styles, from primitive tent sites to full-service RV hookups, making the Luther area suitable for different outdoor preferences and experience levels.

Best Camping Sites Near Luther, Michigan (300)

    1. Silver Creek State Forest Campground

    10 Reviews
    Luther, MI
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 745-9465

    "The 8 mile hiking loop follows the river and intersects with some off road trails."

    "It's a lovely, quiet, private, in-the-middle-of-nowhere-in-the-middle-of-Michigan place on the beautiful Pine River. We listened to it burble past us all night long and it was heavenly."

    2. Coolwater on the Pine River Campground

    9 Reviews
    South Branch, MI
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 862-3481

    "Absolutely gorgeous surroundings. Great hiking. One family had over 70 pumpkins carved and set up a trail. Impressive night walk. New owners. Like 8 days. Very accommodating."

    "A few trails to walk around the property, and not far to Manistee (bakery downtown is the best in the state). Will definitely be coming back here."

    3. Leverentz Lake State Forest Campground

    7 Reviews
    Baldwin, MI
    11 miles
    Website

    $15 / night

    "the big lake unit has large sites with lake views and 2 vault toilets. the little lake unit has small sites, 1 vault toilet, some lake views, some views of nearby houses (more mosquitos at the time too"

    "On the lake with a boat launch. One hand pump water source at the entrance, no electric."

    4. Carrieville State Forest Campground

    3 Reviews
    Luther, MI
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 775-9727

    "This campground is connected to a main ORV trail head."

    5. Peterson Bridge

    7 Reviews
    South Branch, MI
    13 miles
    Website

    $15 - $35 / night

    "This campground is absolutely gorgeous, clean, well kept and each site area of pitching is nesseled into the woods while having easy access to vehicle. Therr is a restroom every 4 campsites."

    "We decided the day before to go up to sleeping bear dunes for the weekend, and all the reservations across western Michigan were full, so we picked this one to try first come first served, and got lucky"

    6. Kestelwoods Campground

    5 Reviews
    South Branch, MI
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 862-3476

    "This campground caters to trail bikers, kayakers & other groups."

    "In the Manistee National Forest, close to major trailheads, and right between two prime access points to the Pine river for canoeing and kayaking. Less than a mile to river trip rental locations also."

    7. Sulak Campground

    11 Reviews
    Baldwin, MI
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 745-4631

    "Great campsite with trails nearby and amazing fishing opportunities! Close to Baldwin!"

    "Short 5-10 min walk from the river where we were able to see a ton of spawning salmon. Just be careful walking on the road, locals fly down it."

    8. Sand Lake Campground — Manistee National Forest

    6 Reviews
    Wellston, MI
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 723-0141

    $40 - $105 / night

    "Sand Lake is a really nice, well kept campground. Beautiful area, nice beach on a clean lake, and spacious campsites."

    "Sand Lake is a quiet wooded campground. Most of the sites have a good amount of trees between them, but there is a loop with fewer trees that is ideal for a group/family camp trip."

    9. Old Grade Campground

    2 Reviews
    Luther, MI
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 745-4631

    "Also hiking trails! I would definitely come back"

    10. Twin Oaks RV Campground and Cabins

    7 Reviews
    Wellston, MI
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 848-4124

    $11 - $90 / night

    "Nice private campground with good access to ATV trails as well as good proximity to big M for mountain biking. Sites are nice and spaced out as well."

    "And while I will say it's not very hidden away from the other sites it was still plenty relaxing and served the purpose of somewhere to hang my hat at the end of the day."

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Recent Reviews near Luther, MI

1066 Reviews of 300 Luther Campgrounds


  • Art W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort

    Lots of activities

    We just needed a spot for the night near Traverse City, and this fit the bill.
    It is a huge campground, with lots of activities for kids, but we have none. It was not high season, so it was not crowded and it was quiet. Our site was full service, but we only need electric for our van. The bathrooms were clean, but we were disappointed that the showers require quarters, as we had none. It was a great last minute opportunity, but I'm sure in high season you need a reservation.

  • Evelyn K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Green Road Dispersed - Manistee NF

    Lots of privacy

    These dispersed sites in the national forest are fantastic! Level for tents. Spread out enough that you aren’t on top of neighbors. We couldn’t see anyone from our site. Really great biking paths. We had fun on our e-bikes. Beautiful surroundings. Good birding too. No bugs!

  • Kammy H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Northern Exposure Campground & RV Park

    Beautiful fall morning, site on the lake

    Large campground, with very clean restrooms and showers. Beach, boat launch, childrens playground, fish cleaning station, store, pizza place, and nice hiking trails. I feel very relaxed here.

  • Therese S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Penny Park Campground

    Decent Little Campground

    Flat camp area on the lake. Some of the spaces have electric hookups. We came in the off season so it’s not too crowded, but the spaces are small so I imagine it would be tight in peak season. Bathrooms are currently locked, but there is a potable water spigot available. Reasonable camp fee - $20.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Sawkaw Lake

    Doesn't exist and says "no camping"

    We went down the path and it says to make it right when there's no road that goes to the right. We drove three and a half hours to get here and now we've got to figure out where we're going to stay for the night. And the only spot that looked like a campable spot says no camping. There's a stake in the ground that says it.

  • T
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Nichols Lake South Campground

    Needs to maintain standards of operation

    Facility at Office quite nice. Camp host was running his generator all night long. Women routinely take their dogs with them into the restroom. We’re not talking about outhouses but flush toilet bathroom with shower.

  • J
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Green Road Dispersed - Manistee NF

    Nice and woodsy

    The sites were easy to find and surrounded by forest. I could see other campers from my site, but they weren’t close. FCFS of course, but I had no problem finding an available site.


Guide to Luther

The Luther area offers a mix of state forest and private campgrounds within the Manistee National Forest. Located on sandy soils with pine and hardwood forests, most sites sit at elevations between 900-1100 feet. Winter access varies with some campgrounds remaining open year-round despite average January temperatures dropping to 14°F.

What to do

Pine River access: Sites at Silver Creek State Forest Campground offer direct river access for fishing and paddling. "The Silver Creek Pathway is a great hike around the river -- other than that, we just enjoyed reading at the campfire and swimming in the super cold river," notes Mary H.

Hiking trails: Explore the North Country Trail from Sulak Campground which connects directly to the trail system. "Short 5-10 min walk from the river where we were able to see a ton of spawning salmon. Just be careful walking on the road, locals fly down it," advises Hunter G.

Kayaking trips: Peterson Bridge serves as a starting point for river adventures. "We went across the street to rent a Canoe and float the Pine River. Great location," says Kitty B. The campground sits right along the river with easy access for boats.

What campers like

Riverside sites: Campers at Silver Creek appreciate the proximity to water. "A few great sites on the river, sites are close together. No ranger so expect noise," reports Tracie S., while Mike B. adds, "The water is very peaceful to listen to while falling asleep."

Lake access: Leverentz Lake State Forest Campground offers fishing and boating opportunities. "Big Leverentz is large enough for small motor boats, and makes a nice peaceful area to kayak around looking for wildlife including fish, turtles, muskrats, etc. It has a boat ramp and a fishing pier," according to Ari A.

Site privacy: Most state forest campgrounds provide well-spaced sites. At Sulak Campground, "Great, rustic sites that back up to the north country trail. Very spacious and more than 50 yards in between some of them," Brian N. describes.

What you should know

Off-season limitations: Most campgrounds in the Luther area close between October and April, though Silver Creek remains open year-round. "We winter camped. Beautiful large spots. Gorgeous pines," reports Jodi W. about Carrieville State Forest Campground.

Variable road conditions: Access to some sites requires appropriate vehicles. At Sulak Campground, "All will accommodate at 25ft RV and some a 30. Sites have picnic table and fire ring with cooking (rusty) thing over it," notes Jordan A.

Facility differences: State forest campgrounds typically offer vault toilets and hand pumps for water, while private campgrounds provide more amenities. "The campground is rustic with sites 1 - 30 being well spaced with vegetation between most sites and quite spacious," Don B. explains about Sand Lake Campground.

Tips for camping with families

Beach options: Sand Lake Campground provides swimming access with "a clean beach. Rustic, but with a modern bathhouse including showers," according to Nicole.

Group camping setups: Some campgrounds offer areas designed for families traveling together. John W. notes that Sand Lake has "a loop with fewer trees that is ideal for a group/family camp trip."

Quiet weekday options: For families seeking peaceful settings, timing matters. At Coolwater on the Pine River Campground, "The weekends seem to be a little heavy on the partying. The weekdays are super quiet," Ben L. observes.

Tips from RVers

Site selection: At Twin Oaks RV Campground and Cabins, "This campground offers rustic sites and electric and water and can be enjoyed by tent campers and large RVs," according to Joie V.

Hookup availability: Most state forest campgrounds lack electricity, while private options offer more services. "Campgrounds like Coolwater and Twin Oaks provide more amenities including showers, electric hookups, and camp stores," as Twin Oaks visitor Hayley B. notes, "Nice spot near the Pine River."

Parking considerations: RV site configuration varies widely between campgrounds. Don B. mentions that at Sand Lake, "There are paved pads for each site although some are sloped. Also, the orientation of the paving for a lot of sites is not correct for a travel trailer, i.e. the door to the trailer is not facing the fire pit and picnic table."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping options are available in Luther, Michigan?

Luther, Michigan offers diverse camping experiences in the heart of Manistee National Forest. Carrieville State Forest Campground provides a rustic experience with basic amenities including water and toilets, and is suitable for larger RVs. Silver Creek State Forest Campground offers a more secluded option with water access. The area also features numerous dispersed camping opportunities throughout the national forest. Nearby, you'll find additional options in neighboring towns like Baldwin and Wellston, all within a short drive of Luther's scenic forests and rivers.

Is Loggers Landing in Luther open year-round?

Loggers Landing in Luther does not appear to be open year-round. Like many campgrounds in northern Michigan, it likely operates seasonally due to harsh winter conditions. For year-round camping alternatives in the region, consider Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness, which offers dispersed camping throughout the year for those prepared for winter conditions. Another option is Peterson Bridge, which while primarily a warm-weather destination, may accommodate off-season camping with proper preparation. Always call ahead to confirm availability during off-season months.

What are the fees for camping at Luther Campground?

Camping fees at Luther area campgrounds typically range from $15-20 per night for rustic sites. Coolwater on the Pine River Campground near Wellston charges moderate fees for their amenity-rich sites, while Kestelwoods Campground offers various pricing tiers depending on hookup needs and season. State Forest Campgrounds in the area generally cost around $15 per night plus the Recreation Passport for Michigan residents or a daily fee for non-residents. Rates may increase on holidays and weekends during peak season (May-September). Most campgrounds accept cash and credit cards, though some remote sites are self-registration with exact cash only.