Best Campgrounds near Wellston, MI

Wellston, MI is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Find the best campgrounds near Wellston, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.

Best Camping Sites Near Wellston, Michigan (258)

    1. Orchard Beach State Park Campground

    30 Reviews
    Manistee, MI
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 723-7422

    "Pretty standard Michigan State Park campground. Nice staff. Park maintenance is currently building a wood fence to keep folks away from steep bluff edge. Views of Lake Michigan fairly limited."

    "Clean park with beautiful views of Lake Michigan. Unfortunately no access to beach because of erosion. Typical site sizes for Michigan State Park. Walk across the road for a 2 mile hike in the woods."

    2. Northern Exposure Campground & RV Park

    17 Reviews
    Mesick, MI
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 885-1199

    $30 - $45 / night

    "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."

    3. Twin Oaks RV Campground and Cabins

    7 Reviews
    Wellston, MI
    4 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."

    4. Coolwater on the Pine River Campground

    9 Reviews
    South Branch, MI
    10 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."

    5. Sand Lake Campground — Manistee National Forest

    6 Reviews
    Wellston, MI
    4 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."

    6. Tippy Dam State Recreation Area

    6 Reviews
    Wellston, MI
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 848-4880

    $20 - $78 / night

    "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."

    7. Peterson Bridge

    7 Reviews
    South Branch, MI
    8 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"

    8. Government Landing Campground

    5 Reviews
    Wellston, MI
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 775-2421

    "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."

    9. Seaton Creek Campground

    8 Reviews
    Mesick, MI
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 723-0141

    $30 - $80 / night

    "It's right by the second largest suspension bridge in Michigan. Great please to stay before you canoe or kayak the Manistee river."

    "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."

    10. Kestelwoods Campground

    5 Reviews
    South Branch, MI
    8 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."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 258 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Wellston, MI

1074 Reviews of 258 Wellston Campgrounds


  • 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.

  • Jade M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Lime Lake

    good spot

    little tricky to get to but if you have a vehicle good for two tracking you shoukd be fine. we stayed at the 5th spot we seen because it is an active location. spots were occupied and a few cars drove passed us. the 5th spot is kinda next to a walking trail so we did have a couple and a dog walk past but not late at night. be aware of poison ivy. there is a handmade fire ring. it’s by water but not too buggy. from the looks of it it’s a one way rd in but not too sure. when leaving it is off a private estate rd so there are no trespassing signs but obviously if you don’t rip down the path and keep it clean and respectful you should be find to drive out. we stayed during hunting season and heard gun shots so wear orange if going in season.

  • Jade M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness - Green Road

    good spot

    we went in mid september only stayed in this spot for a night. we took the 3rd open space i think. it was close to others but not too close. it is definitely around hunting land so wear bright colors if going during season.

  • Craig S.
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Indigo Bluffs RV Park

    Horrible RV Park - Beware!

    Recently visited as we were competitors in Empire Hill Climb. Had an issue w our group this weekend that I’ve never experienced in 40 yrs of camping. Stayed here for 3 nights. Unfortunately, after an incident one of the families we were with was kicked out. Never heard of being kicked out of a campground before without any prior warning. I will admit we had issue w one of our 5yr olds. The family I mentioned was camping in a pop up. They utilize a 5 gallon bucket to urinate in. Well, on the first full morning apparently the 5yr old dumped the bucket on the ground outside the camper. Others saw this and reported it. Again, we know we/he was in the wrong. However, clearly the 5 yr old thought they were helping and didn’t know the magnitude of their actions. With that said, he is 5 and made a mistake. Steve, the manager showed up after the report and kicked them out without a conversation had. His exact words were“ you have an hour to leave or I’m calling the sheriff.” Mind you this is a family w 3 little ones. Was sooo taken back by this comment. Been visiting Glen Arbor for 40 yrs and will never be back to Indigo Bluffs. If you don’t have money, 100k camper, and/or retired stay away at all cost, all they care about. 2.5 miles down Street is lovely brand new RV campground, Lively Acres Campground. Stay there if you want to your family treated right.

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Mears State Park Campground

    Best little campground at the lake

    Beautiful small state park campground. Very well maintained, clean facilities, beautiful beach. Easy walk into town to shops and restaurants.


Guide to Wellston

Camping near Wellston, Michigan, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: There are numerous trails around the campgrounds. For example, at Platte River Campground, visitors can enjoy trails that lead to stunning views and the nearby fish hatchery. One camper noted, "Amazing rangers with tons of info!"
  • Fishing: Many campgrounds are close to lakes and rivers. At Betsie River Campsite, fishing is a popular activity, with one reviewer saying, "This tiny little family-owned campground is one of our favorites... There are many places to put into the river."
  • Beach Access: If you love the water, Ludington State Park has great beach access. A visitor mentioned, "Great campground with beach access. It’s great to be in the forest, then take a quick walk over to the beach."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. At Cedar Campground, one reviewer said, "The bathrooms and showers were extremely clean and were cleaned daily."
  • Friendly Staff: Many campgrounds have helpful staff. A visitor at Northern Exposure Campground shared, "Staff was friendly. Campground was quiet and everyone who was around us was super nice and friendly."
  • Secluded Sites: Campers enjoy having some privacy. At Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness, one camper noted, "The campsites are large and spread out so you get a bit of privacy."

What you should know:

  • No Beach Access at Some Campgrounds: Some campgrounds, like Orchard Beach State Park, have lost beach access due to erosion. A camper mentioned, "People are complaining that there is no beach access anymore at this campground."
  • Crowded During Peak Season: Many campgrounds can get busy, especially in summer. A visitor at Platte River Campground said, "Overall Rating: 3.5... Usage during visit: VERY full."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may not have full hookups or stores nearby. At Lake Michigan Recreation Area, one camper noted, "Bring enough supplies for your stay unless you don’t mind a 1/2 hour drive to get resupplied."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Campgrounds with Activities: Look for campgrounds that offer fun activities for kids. Ludington State Park has hiking trails and a beach, making it a great family spot. One family said, "There are a ton of activities you can do at this park."
  • Plan for Bathroom Breaks: Some campgrounds have bathrooms that are a bit of a walk. At Orchard Beach State Park, a camper mentioned, "The bathroom is a pretty distant walk so prepare for that."
  • Pack Snacks and Games: Keep kids entertained with snacks and games. A visitor at Betsie River Campsite enjoyed the quiet atmosphere, saying, "This tiny little family-owned campground is one of our favorites."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Cedar Campground noted, "There are some large rigs, but sites are close."
  • Look for Electric Hookups: Many RVers prefer sites with electric hookups. At Northern Exposure Campground, one camper said, "The bathrooms and showers were extremely clean and were cleaned daily."
  • Be Prepared for Bugs: Some areas can have bugs, especially near water. A camper at Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness mentioned, "It can get busy on weekends since many people know about this spot."

Camping near Wellston, Michigan, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking peace and quiet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Wellston, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, Wellston, MI offers a wide range of camping options, with 258 campgrounds and RV parks near Wellston, MI and 11 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Wellston, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Wellston, MI is Orchard Beach State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 30 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Wellston, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 free dispersed camping spots near Wellston, MI.

What parks are near Wellston, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 parks near Wellston, MI that allow camping, notably Huron-Manistee National Forests and Sleeping Bear Dunes.