Cabins near Wellston, Michigan provide access to the Manistee National Forest's diverse ecosystem with elevations ranging from 700 to 1,200 feet. Seasonal temperature variations are significant, with summer averages of 75-85°F and winter lows often below freezing. Most rustic cabins in the area offer basic accommodations but maintain proximity to both river fishing spots and forest hiking trails.
What to do
Fishing the Manistee River: Prime fishing spots are accessible directly from Tippy Dam State Recreation Area, where "campsites feature trails that lead directly to the Tippy Dam Backwater" and offer "convenient access for launching a boat on either the Manistee River or the backwaters side of the dam."
Hiking local trails: The area around Sand Lake offers multiple hiking options with varying difficulty levels. A visitor notes that Sand Lake Campground provides "nice and quiet" surroundings with "campsites along the lake are high overlook campsites with narrow trails down to the water."
Biking to town: From some locations, cyclists can enjoy paved paths to nearby communities. "The campground is along the Betsie river and they offer a fish cleaning station. They have a nice trail to ride your bikes to Frankfort but we chose to drive this time through."
Beach access at Lake Michigan: Several campgrounds offer proximity to Lake Michigan beaches. At Lake Michigan Recreation Area, "great place to go to introduce someone to backpacking... it's camping on the beach for crying out loud!" The beach is described as "clean and the swimming is amazing!"
What campers like
Spacious wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the natural setting at Twin Oaks RV Campground and Cabins, with one noting, "We tent camped and loved how our site was surrounded by trees." Another camper adds, "I love the wooded rustic sites! The sites are large and you will definitely find a spot for a hammock."
Clean facilities: Facility maintenance is frequently mentioned as a positive. At Northern Exposure Campground & RV Park, visitors appreciate that "this campground has the cleanest restroom/shower facilities of any campground I have been too."
Family-friendly amenities: Campers with families often highlight amenities catering to children. "Great place for family vacation!! Nice playground, evening activities. Nice mix of electric hook up, R.V. and tent sites. Boat rentals, etc."
River access: Direct access to water is valued by many visitors. "Beautiful campground on the Manistee River! Nice facilities too." Another camper shares, "Great sites right on the water! The campground offers clean facilities, general store, rentals for the lake, and camp events like movie night."
What you should know
Site privacy varies: Depending on which campground you select, privacy between sites can differ significantly. At Orchard Beach State Park Campground, one camper warns that "the sites are as compact and close together as possible," while another mentions that "most campsites are perpendicular to the road, thus your neighbors are essentially plastered against your camper windows."
Seasonal considerations: Most glamping operations in Wellston run from April through October, with limited winter options. "Orchard Beach State Park Campground" operates "all year" but seasonal campers should note varying amenities availability.
Reservation requirements: Many popular sites book quickly, especially in summer. "This is a very popular and busy state park," notes one camper about a nearby location, recommending advance planning.
Bathroom facilities: The type of bathroom facilities varies significantly. Some locations offer "clean and well maintained" outhouses, while others provide "flush toilets" and "great ventilation."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Families with children should consider campgrounds with dedicated play areas. "Great place to take a camper with family. The campground offers clean facilities, general store, rentals for the lake, and camp events like movie night."
Water safety considerations: For families with young children, consider water access carefully. At Northern Exposure, there's "easy water access for very little children and non-motorized boats/Kayaks."
Evening activities: Some campgrounds offer organized activities for children. One camper at Insta-Launch Campground & Marina appreciated that "they have a big camp shop, excellent ice cream," making it family-friendly for evening entertainment.
Bike-friendly options: Look for locations with safe biking opportunities. "It's right on the local paved bike trail that goes into the town of Frankfort or out in the other direction. Easy for kids and adults alike."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Some campsites may appear level but require adjustments. At one campground, visitors noted sites "look level but it's deceiving," requiring additional preparation for RV setup.
Hook-up variations: Electric and water access varies significantly between campgrounds. At Betsie River Campsite, "water hookup at each site, some sites only have 20 amp service."
Site size considerations: RVers should check site dimensions before booking. "It was kinda tight getting camper into our campsite," notes one visitor about a nearby state park, suggesting larger rigs may face challenges.
Accessibility: Some campgrounds offer better access for larger vehicles. At Twin Oaks RV Campground, the "nice private campground with good access to ATV trails" also accommodates RVs well with "sites are nice and spaced out."
