D
Donald S.
Guide
GuideMatson's Big Manistee River Campground
great location
If you are an avid river angler this is your place. Reasonably priced sites and nice shower facility.
Good customer service.
Camping near South Branch, MI
280 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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Camping options near South Branch, Michigan range from established campgrounds to dispersed sites within the Manistee National Forest. Several facilities including Peterson Bridge Campground, Northern Exposure Campground, and Coolwater on the Pine River Campground provide amenities for tent and RV campers. Many of these campgrounds feature cabin accommodations alongside traditional campsites, with some properties like Twin Oaks RV Campground and Cabins offering glamping options. The region contains a mix of public forest service campgrounds and privately operated facilities, most situated along or near the Pine and Manistee Rivers.
Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with many open from May through October or November. Winter camping is limited to select locations such as Silver Creek State Forest Campground and Government Landing, which remain open year-round. Water and electrical hookups vary significantly between facilities, with private campgrounds typically offering more amenities than the more rustic forest service sites. Cellular coverage can be limited or non-existent throughout much of the region, particularly in the more remote forest areas. A visitor to Coolwater Campground noted, "Our cell service was non-existent which was a great way to disconnect, but difficult when not knowing the area well."
The Pine and Manistee Rivers feature prominently in the camping experience, with many sites providing direct access for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. Campers consistently mention the rivers as primary attractions when visiting the area. Sites near water tend to fill quickly, especially during summer weekends and holidays. Peterson Bridge Campground receives particular praise for its location and layout, with one camper noting, "This campground is absolutely gorgeous, clean, well kept and each site area of pitching is nestled into the woods while having easy access to vehicle." Wildlife sightings, including bears, have been reported at several campgrounds. The area appeals particularly to outdoor enthusiasts seeking access to water recreation, hiking trails, and off-road vehicle routes throughout the national forest.
Best Campgrounds near South Branch (280)
1. Northern Exposure Campground & RV Park
"We asked to be away from the lake because of our young kids but the lake lots looked beautiful. We will be back."
"I love having a view from my campsite that has a lake on it! Not many big boats on it so there was no motor noise constantly like how it is on most inland lake campgrounds."
from $30 - $45 / night
Check Availability2. Coolwater on the Pine River Campground
"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. Silver Creek State Forest Campground
"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."
4. Peterson Bridge
"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."
"The walk-in tent sites were gorgeous, very hidden away in the trees, and 2 sites are literally right next to the river."
from $15 - $35 / night
Check Availability5. Seaton Creek Campground
"You are surrounded by beautiful pines. I wasn't able to explore as much as I liked to but hear there are great trails and you are in walking distance of water."
"It's right by the second largest suspension bridge in Michigan. Great please to stay before you canoe or kayak the Manistee river."
from $30 - $80 / night
Check Availability6. Twin Oaks RV Campground and Cabins
"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."
from $11 - $90 / night
Check Availability7. Kestelwoods Campground
"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."
8. Manistee River Trail Dispersed Camping
"Although this is listed as "dispersed" camping, the camping on the Manistee River Trail side of this loop is mostly at designated sites. Most sites seemed to be able to accommodate large groups."
"I've hiked and kayaked this trail on a few occasions and I can confidently say this is one of my favorite trails in all of Michigan."
9. Government Landing Campground
"I hear it’s darn near impossible to find an open site During June-August. Sites are large with fantastic views. Walking trails, bike trails and ORV trails a d routes are in close proximity."
"Is a bathroom within walking distance of a few sites. No water fountain/pump that I was able to located but there were easy walkways down to pond."
10. Tippy Dam State Recreation Area
"Steps go right down to the river. Good fishing. When we were there the toilets were In need of a pump out desperately."
"Campsites are very clean and big, with nice trails to explore. Just a heads up, the sites with "lake access" don't actually have lake access - it's a steep drop to the water. Tumble at your own risk."
from $20 - $78 / night
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Drive Time
- 54 min from Traverse City, MI
- 1 hr 27 min from Midland, MI
- 1 hr 27 min from Grand Rapids, MI
- 1 hr 37 min from Muskegon, MI
Recent Camping Photos near South Branch, MI
488 Photos of 280 South Branch Campgrounds
April D.
Peterson Bridge
Ruby P.
Coolwater on the Pine River Campground
Mike B.
Kestelwoods Campground
Hayley B.
Twin Oaks RV Campground and Cabins
Bruce L.
Government Landing Campground
Art S.
Silver Creek State Forest Campground
Art S.
Seaton Creek Campground
Shelly B.
Manistee River Trail Dispersed Camping
Missy E.
Northern Exposure Campground & RV Park
J B.
Tippy Dam State Recreation Area
Patrick K.
Sand Lake Campground — Manistee National Forest
Mary T.
Mitchell State Park Campground
Recent Reviews near South Branch, MI
1106 Reviews of 280 South Branch Campgrounds
- SSarah K.
ScoutUpper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites — Huron Manistee National Forests
Best Lower Peninsula Backpacking
Truly the best trail and backcountry sites south of the bridge. Make sure to fill up water before crossing to the NCT side though, very limited water access
- aarvid O.Scout
Honcho Rest Campground
Great Customer Service
We had to cancel last minute because our truck broke down. Don was so kind and helpful. He just canceled us without penalty. When I called back after truck was fixed, he remembered my name and said Hello, did you get your truck fixed? I was calling to see if I could rebook our time slot. I thought that incredible. We will be there June 14 th
- JJake R.Scout
Walkup Lake Campground
Rustic and Cheap Campground
These sites are fine. Good for the price and offer a fire ring and picnic tables. They are first come first serve and there’s a pit-style toilet.
There’s a long, winding road with sites along the way and 2 sites at the end next to the water. If you stay up by the road, it’s a bit loud as cars go by.
Erin F.GuideGarey Lake State Forest Campground
Quiet
Rustic sites on a small fishing lake.
Sarah N.
TravelerArbutus Lake State Forest Campground
After Memorial Day Stay
Campground is beautiful with access to the very clean lake and sandy beach, my pups loved going swimming. There is potable water via an old school hand pump and vault toilets and a dumpster. Sites have plenty of shade but Starlink is getting excellent reception anyways. Generators are permitted and it's about 20 min from Traverse City. There are signs that note you must register and pay online before setting up camp so this is technically not first come first serve. Excellent place to stay.
Tiffany V.GuideD.H. Day Campground — Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Runs a tight ship.
Campground and National Lakeshore are meticulously maintained. Clean vault toilets, nice grounds. Glen Arbor is a 2 min drive or you could even walk! The heritage trail connects all major trails and towns in the area and can be accessed by bike or foot. Many hikes within a five minute drive. Weather changes quickly.
Stacy C.ScoutKibby Creek Campground
Fun private campground
Great campground, there’s a hot tub and pool, both very clean. There’s a camp store with great wood fired pizzas and ice cream.
Our site was nice but free placement made it difficult to get into the site. I would choose this same area but the sites on either side of 19 in the future.
There’s also a large open area that feels like a parking lot, I would not want to stay in that section.
MaKayla K.TravelerLime Lake
One of my favorites!
Make sure you have an off road vehicle, this road is a little rough. We were able to snag the best spot! Had a loop around drive way and everything
Guide to South Branch
The Manistee National Forest dominates the landscape near South Branch, Michigan, creating a densely wooded environment at elevations between 800-1,200 feet. Temperatures typically range from the mid-70s during summer days to low 50s at night, with distinct seasonal changes affecting campground availability. Most campsites in this region sit within close proximity to either the Pine or Manistee Rivers, offering opportunities for water activities during the May through October camping season.
What to do
Hiking the loop trail: Access the Manistee River Trail from Seaton Creek Campground for a multi-day adventure. "The trails hugging the river and Creek and pond" provide excellent views according to Jonathan W., who added, "the host Frank has been so nice, and he told us about a rope swing across the river if you take a particular path."
Fishing opportunities: Tippy Dam State Recreation Area offers "great fishing" with "steps [that] go right down to the river," according to Teri C. The recreation area includes both river and lake access, with James noting there's "convenient access for launching a boat on either the Manistee River or the backwaters side of the dam."
Off-road vehicle trails: The extensive trail system throughout Manistee National Forest connects to many campgrounds. At Kestelwoods Campground, Mike B. reported, "I did a dual sport motorcycle ride out of this campground. The area is great for riding with lots of trails and roads through the forests."
What campers like
River-adjacent sites: Northern Exposure Campground & RV Park receives praise for its waterfront locations. Macy M. shared, "I think next time we will get one of the lake front sites. The view is amazing," while Dalton B. added, "Great sites right on the water! The campground offers clean facilities, general store, rentals for the lake, and camp events like movie night."
Rustic options with amenities: Campers appreciate having primitive-feeling sites with bathroom access. At Twin Oaks RV Campground and Cabins, Joie V. noted, "This campground offers rustic sites and electric and water and can be enjoyed by tent campers and large RVs. I love the wooded rustic sites! Unlike State Forest campgrounds you get a rustic site with the benefit of hot showers!"
Secluded walk-in sites: For those wanting more privacy, look for campgrounds offering walk-in options. Kitty B. said of Silver Creek State Forest Campground, "The walk-in sites were secluded and amazing! Walk-in sites are right on the river: you could see kayakers passing and I took a dip in the river in the morning."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have minimal to no cell coverage. At Coolwater on the Pine River Campground, Liz D. noted, "Our cell service was non-existent which was a great way to disconnect, but difficult when not knowing the area well."
Weekend crowds vs. weekday solitude: The popularity of river sites creates distinct differences between weekday and weekend camping. Ruby P. observed at Coolwater, "The weekends seem to be a little heavy on the partying. The weekdays are super quiet. Definitely a vibe here for everyone."
Frequently Asked Questions
Is group camping available at South Branch, MI?
Is group camping available at South Branch, MI?
Group camping is available near the South Branch area at several campgrounds. Tippy Dam State Recreation Area offers group camping options with designated areas for larger parties. For those seeking a more rustic group experience, Seaton Creek Campground provides group sites that can accommodate multiple tents and vehicles. Be sure to make reservations well in advance, especially during peak summer months, as group sites tend to fill up quickly throughout Michigan's camping season.
What camping is available near South Branch, MI?
What camping is available near South Branch, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, South Branch, MI offers a wide range of camping options, with 280 campgrounds and RV parks near South Branch, MI and 12 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near South Branch, MI?
Which is the most popular campground near South Branch, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near South Branch, MI is Northern Exposure Campground & RV Park with a 4.9-star rating from 18 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near South Branch, MI?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near South Branch, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 free dispersed camping spots near South Branch, MI.
What parks are near South Branch, MI?
What parks are near South Branch, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 parks near South Branch, MI that allow camping, notably Huron-Manistee National Forests and Sleeping Bear Dunes.
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