Cedar River North State Forest Campground offers 14 campsites along the Cedar River in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Located about 30 miles northeast of Crivitz, Wisconsin, the campground sits at approximately 700 feet elevation in a mixed hardwood forest. Access requires traveling 8 miles down a former logging road, which can be bumpy but remains passable for most standard vehicles.
What to do
Kayaking and fishing: The Cedar River provides good bass fishing opportunities accessible from the campground's dedicated kayak launch. Christopher L. notes the campground "follows the river" with "very few people, extremely quiet, private sites," making it ideal for peaceful water activities.
Horseback riding: The network of equestrian trails near Rustic Timbers Door County Camping connects to wider trail systems. Sherrie P. describes it as "a little piece of heaven" with "large sites" that accommodate both horses and camping equipment comfortably.
Swimming and cliff jumping: Chute Pond Park offers multiple water recreation options. Emily K. mentions, "They have a little footbridge to fish off of, a playground, and a nice beach. You can rent out kayaks and little boats... Slippery Rock is a waterfall from the river that you can actually slide down. They also have a rock you can jump off as well into water."
What campers like
Secluded camping: The rural setting provides separation between sites. At River Park, Gwynn S. reports "All four campsites on property are far apart and didn't hear neighbors. If bathrooms are big concern definitely get site 1 and if you want to be close to the beach get site 4."
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings offer good wildlife spotting opportunities. David K. describes his experience at River Park: "My wife and I were blessed to spend a night at this idyllic site... We brought the dogs with; and we were able to kayak and fish along the river within view of our campsite. Some of the sites themselves are elegantly perched above the riverbank and give you a great view."
Clean facilities: Most equestrian campgrounds near Crivitz maintain well-kept bathroom facilities. At Bay Shore Park, Celeste D. found "Everything was very clean and even with the campground full it was nice and quiet. The spots are beautiful and shaded."
What you should know
Weather considerations: Rain can affect camping conditions at several sites. Celeste D. warns about Bay Shore Park: "Rain does cause many of the spots to flood."
Road conditions: The access road to Cedar River North requires careful driving. Christopher L. describes it as "slightly bumpy but completely fine for almost any vehicle to go down."
Insects: Mosquitoes are common, particularly in summer months. Christopher L. reports that at Cedar River North, "Mosquitoes are plentiful."
Limited cell service: Green's Green Acres Campground and surrounding areas have spotty coverage. David K. notes this campground "may not look like much from the road" but can be "serene and relaxing" when visiting during non-music event periods.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and activities: Multiple campgrounds offer family-friendly facilities. Makenzie S. shares that Chute Pond Park has "lots to do the whole weekend whether you want to go hiking, fishing, boating, small cliff jumping, or take a walk to slippery rock."
Kid-friendly sites: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. Kristine M. says Bay Shore Park "is a great spot for kids..although there isnt swimming there are 2 playgrounds and lots of space to play frisbee or run around. We have a great time every time we go!"
Safety concerns: Some sites require extra vigilance with children. Gwynn S. cautions about River Park: "There was a good amount of broken glass and some trash at site 2, so be careful if you have little ones or dogs."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose sites based on your specific needs and RV size. Cole M. advises about River Park: "I would not recommend this campground for anyone with a larger camper. I have a 38' long, 12'+ tall bumper pull and was scraping the roof on trees and struggled to get backed into the site."
Hookup locations: Check the placement of utilities when setting up. Nikki & Mike report at Bay Shore Park: "The electric and water hookups were on opposite sides of the site, and we had to keep adjusting the travel trailer to get both to actually hook up."
Ground conditions: Be prepared for various surfaces. Nikki & Mike continue: "The ground was a sandy-dirt, which wasn't too bad at first, but after an overnight rain it was a muddy mess."
Traveler
