- Camping with pets allowed
The best dog-friendly camping near Manistee
97% (2K) • 538 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Manistee
The 40 Acre Wood
1. The 40 Acre Wood
100%
(81)
42mi from Manistee · 5 sites
Before our forest was "owned," it belonged to the Odawa people. Once white settlers arrived and governments were established, land deeds were written. We traced those deeds back through the Oceana County Register of Deeds and found that larger tracts of land were owned by people from Chicago and California, which were later divided into smaller parcels.
Interestingly, one owner lost the property after failing to pay back taxes of $3.50, shortly after World War II. It is likely that he never returned.
In the mid-1900s, Ed Dewey was the owner. Today, we have a cabin on the east side of the 40 acres that was built by Ed, entirely constructed with oak. He had three sawmills there, each powered by the engines of old Studebakers. He cut and milled enormous oak trees, using the wood to construct crates for transporting cherries. Today, you can still see old oak crates on various farms, but they are slowly being replaced by plastic.
Ed never finished the little cabin, and the story goes that he died there.
The next owners were a couple from Inkster, near Detroit. Despite Ed leaving an acre of "yard art" all over, the place was used as a vacation home after a 50-foot long mobile home was placed near the cabin. As they aged, they sold off their property to us. First, we acquired the 20 acres where the Cozy Camper Cabin resides, then the 7 acres near Weaver Road and 44th, and finally, the remaining 13 acres with the cabin. We began purchasing the property in parcels in 1992 for $500 an acre and owned it all by 1998.
From 1998 to 2008, we removed the mobile home, cleaned up all the yard art, refurbished the cabin, added a garage, and built a new shed nearby. The Hipcamp shed was originally built in 1999 and has been used for storage until it was converted into a unique little place in the woods in 2021.
Over the years, our Forester has carefully managed the property. We have logged three times. The first round was to remove 75 huge oak trees. The second round involved culling mature poplar trees. The last time, we took out 276 mature oaks and beeches. A Woodsman spent a year cutting down the tops of the trees. Clearing these old growth trees revitalized the forest, as planned.
Today, there are over two miles of trails running throughout the property. Some were logging roads, while others were carved out over time. The land is flat to the north but hilly to the south, as these are forested sand dunes. There are approximately a million trees on the property, densely forested with many large "mother trees" such as oaks, beeches, maples, and pines. The poplar trees are growing rapidly, as they do. Wild cherry, sassafras, beeches, oaks, and maples are also growing quickly and thickly.
To the south, there are fenced-in asparagus fields and cherry orchards. To the north, on the other side of Weaver Road, is the privately owned Silver Lake Airport, which remains quiet most of the time. On the east side of our 40 acres, you'll find our cabin and buildings, and we kindly ask you to avoid wandering onto that side of the property. Signs will alert you when you get close.
To the west, there is a 20-acre section occasionally occupied by some "Dunners." The area is famous for Silver Lake State Park and the sand dunes, located about 2.5 miles northwest of us. Our neighbors in that area have dune buggies, and they sometimes drive around their property, creating more noise than we prefer. It's possible that you may encounter this during your visit, so please be aware.
Deer are abundant in the area, and in 2021, we spotted a porcupine for the first time, although we have occasionally seen evidence of their presence through bark-stripped maples. Raccoons come and go, while turkeys are frequent visitors at times. You can hear coyotes yipping away at night, and depending on the time of year and migratory season, you'll see lots and lots of birds.
We're pleased to report that there is no poison ivy on the property!
It is a beautiful place in the woods, not far from many entertaining activities suitable for both the young and old. Come and visit, but please be respectful of the land and our privacy while enjoying yours.
Love Mother Earth while you are here and nourish your soul.
Toilets
Campfires
Wifi
from
$90
/ night
The Pug Ranch
2. The Pug Ranch
94%
(8)
14mi from Manistee · 2 sites
Just north of town and close to Hamlin lake our property is a great location for individuals to see everything Ludington has to offer. It was my goal to create a place that wasn’t too far from everyday life but once there you could discover and disconnect. Nordhouse dunes is a beautiful area to hike along with Ludington state park. There are local attractions in town to offer things for all ages. Ludington and surrounding area offers four seasons of fun and adventures.
Toilets
Showers
Campfires
from
$50
/ night
CK Ranch Camp
3. CK Ranch Camp
94%
(8)
14mi from Manistee · 1 site · Tent, RV
Single rustic camp site on CK Ranch. We have a large area to camp in any configuration next to our forest with walking trails. The camp spot is near one of our pastures that could have horses or cows. Walk in tent camping site could also be arranged. By appt we could do a farm tour with your group. We have horses, cows, fainting goats, peacocks, ducks and chickens! Power and water may be available in the future.
Campfires
from
$17
/ night
North Woods Paradise
4. North Woods Paradise
16mi from Manistee · 1 site
Looking for that perfect getaway, take it easy at this unique modern cabin in beautiful northern Michigan. Located in the Manistee National Forest, the cabin is close to everything from world class fishing at the Tippy Dam to hiking trails and kayaking the Manistee River. Manistee is close by with its rich history, fabulous restaurants and of course, Little River Casino. Spend the day tubing down the Manistee, explore Sleeping Bear Dunes, Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course or historic Fishtown!
Toilets
Showers
Campfires
from
$125
/ night
The Landing Of Wellston
5. The Landing Of Wellston
19mi from Manistee · 3 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Adventure Awaits: Trailside Retreat with Ample Toy Storage
The Ultimate Basecamp for Snowmobilers & Off-Roaders!
Looking for a place where the adventure starts the moment you step out the door? Our cozy camper is perfectly situated for those who live for the trails. Whether you’re here for fresh winter powder or summer dust, we offer the perfect blend of comfort and unmatched trail access.
Why You’ll Love It Here:
Direct Trail Access: Forget the hassle of trailering your gear to a trailhead. We are located directly on the main routes for snowmobiles and off-road vehicles. Just gear up, start your engine, and go!
Ample Space for Big Rigs: We know your “toys” are a big part of the trip. Our property features a massive, flat parking area with plenty of room for large trailers.
Easy Loading & Unloading: Unload right on-site. When you return from a long day on the trails, there’s no need to pack everything back up — leave your machines out in our secure, spacious staging area and get right to relaxing.
Secluded & Serene: Nestled in a quiet, snowy landscape, you’ll enjoy beautiful views and the peaceful sounds of nature after the engines are turned off.
The Space:
Our camper provides a warm, efficient, and comfortable home base. After a day of riding, come back to a cozy interior, a hot meal, and a soft bed to recharge for tomorrow’s ride. It’s perfect for couples, solo adventurers, or friends looking for a high-action weekend.
Pack your gear, bring your trailers, and get ready for a trip where the trail is your backyard!
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from
$32
/ night
97% (2K) • 538 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Manistee
The 40 Acre Wood
1. The 40 Acre Wood
100%
(81)
42mi from Manistee · 5 sites
Before our forest was "owned," it belonged to the Odawa people. Once white settlers arrived and governments were established, land deeds were written. We traced those deeds back through the Oceana County Register of Deeds and found that larger tracts of land were owned by people from Chicago and California, which were later divided into smaller parcels.
Interestingly, one owner lost the property after failing to pay back taxes of $3.50, shortly after World War II. It is likely that he never returned.
In the mid-1900s, Ed Dewey was the owner. Today, we have a cabin on the east side of the 40 acres that was built by Ed, entirely constructed with oak. He had three sawmills there, each powered by the engines of old Studebakers. He cut and milled enormous oak trees, using the wood to construct crates for transporting cherries. Today, you can still see old oak crates on various farms, but they are slowly being replaced by plastic.
Ed never finished the little cabin, and the story goes that he died there.
The next owners were a couple from Inkster, near Detroit. Despite Ed leaving an acre of "yard art" all over, the place was used as a vacation home after a 50-foot long mobile home was placed near the cabin. As they aged, they sold off their property to us. First, we acquired the 20 acres where the Cozy Camper Cabin resides, then the 7 acres near Weaver Road and 44th, and finally, the remaining 13 acres with the cabin. We began purchasing the property in parcels in 1992 for $500 an acre and owned it all by 1998.
From 1998 to 2008, we removed the mobile home, cleaned up all the yard art, refurbished the cabin, added a garage, and built a new shed nearby. The Hipcamp shed was originally built in 1999 and has been used for storage until it was converted into a unique little place in the woods in 2021.
Over the years, our Forester has carefully managed the property. We have logged three times. The first round was to remove 75 huge oak trees. The second round involved culling mature poplar trees. The last time, we took out 276 mature oaks and beeches. A Woodsman spent a year cutting down the tops of the trees. Clearing these old growth trees revitalized the forest, as planned.
Today, there are over two miles of trails running throughout the property. Some were logging roads, while others were carved out over time. The land is flat to the north but hilly to the south, as these are forested sand dunes. There are approximately a million trees on the property, densely forested with many large "mother trees" such as oaks, beeches, maples, and pines. The poplar trees are growing rapidly, as they do. Wild cherry, sassafras, beeches, oaks, and maples are also growing quickly and thickly.
To the south, there are fenced-in asparagus fields and cherry orchards. To the north, on the other side of Weaver Road, is the privately owned Silver Lake Airport, which remains quiet most of the time. On the east side of our 40 acres, you'll find our cabin and buildings, and we kindly ask you to avoid wandering onto that side of the property. Signs will alert you when you get close.
To the west, there is a 20-acre section occasionally occupied by some "Dunners." The area is famous for Silver Lake State Park and the sand dunes, located about 2.5 miles northwest of us. Our neighbors in that area have dune buggies, and they sometimes drive around their property, creating more noise than we prefer. It's possible that you may encounter this during your visit, so please be aware.
Deer are abundant in the area, and in 2021, we spotted a porcupine for the first time, although we have occasionally seen evidence of their presence through bark-stripped maples. Raccoons come and go, while turkeys are frequent visitors at times. You can hear coyotes yipping away at night, and depending on the time of year and migratory season, you'll see lots and lots of birds.
We're pleased to report that there is no poison ivy on the property!
It is a beautiful place in the woods, not far from many entertaining activities suitable for both the young and old. Come and visit, but please be respectful of the land and our privacy while enjoying yours.
Love Mother Earth while you are here and nourish your soul.
Toilets
Campfires
Wifi
from
$90
/ night
The Pug Ranch
2. The Pug Ranch
94%
(8)
14mi from Manistee · 2 sites
Just north of town and close to Hamlin lake our property is a great location for individuals to see everything Ludington has to offer. It was my goal to create a place that wasn’t too far from everyday life but once there you could discover and disconnect. Nordhouse dunes is a beautiful area to hike along with Ludington state park. There are local attractions in town to offer things for all ages. Ludington and surrounding area offers four seasons of fun and adventures.
Toilets
Showers
Campfires
from
$50
/ night
CK Ranch Camp
3. CK Ranch Camp
94%
(8)
14mi from Manistee · 1 site · Tent, RV
Single rustic camp site on CK Ranch. We have a large area to camp in any configuration next to our forest with walking trails. The camp spot is near one of our pastures that could have horses or cows. Walk in tent camping site could also be arranged. By appt we could do a farm tour with your group. We have horses, cows, fainting goats, peacocks, ducks and chickens! Power and water may be available in the future.
Campfires
from
$17
/ night
North Woods Paradise
4. North Woods Paradise
16mi from Manistee · 1 site
Looking for that perfect getaway, take it easy at this unique modern cabin in beautiful northern Michigan. Located in the Manistee National Forest, the cabin is close to everything from world class fishing at the Tippy Dam to hiking trails and kayaking the Manistee River. Manistee is close by with its rich history, fabulous restaurants and of course, Little River Casino. Spend the day tubing down the Manistee, explore Sleeping Bear Dunes, Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course or historic Fishtown!
Toilets
Showers
Campfires
from
$125
/ night
The Landing Of Wellston
5. The Landing Of Wellston
19mi from Manistee · 3 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Adventure Awaits: Trailside Retreat with Ample Toy Storage
The Ultimate Basecamp for Snowmobilers & Off-Roaders!
Looking for a place where the adventure starts the moment you step out the door? Our cozy camper is perfectly situated for those who live for the trails. Whether you’re here for fresh winter powder or summer dust, we offer the perfect blend of comfort and unmatched trail access.
Why You’ll Love It Here:
Direct Trail Access: Forget the hassle of trailering your gear to a trailhead. We are located directly on the main routes for snowmobiles and off-road vehicles. Just gear up, start your engine, and go!
Ample Space for Big Rigs: We know your “toys” are a big part of the trip. Our property features a massive, flat parking area with plenty of room for large trailers.
Easy Loading & Unloading: Unload right on-site. When you return from a long day on the trails, there’s no need to pack everything back up — leave your machines out in our secure, spacious staging area and get right to relaxing.
Secluded & Serene: Nestled in a quiet, snowy landscape, you’ll enjoy beautiful views and the peaceful sounds of nature after the engines are turned off.
The Space:
Our camper provides a warm, efficient, and comfortable home base. After a day of riding, come back to a cozy interior, a hot meal, and a soft bed to recharge for tomorrow’s ride. It’s perfect for couples, solo adventurers, or friends looking for a high-action weekend.
Pack your gear, bring your trailers, and get ready for a trip where the trail is your backyard!
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from
$32
/ night
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
J
Joel
November 2025
5 nights at The 40 Acre Wood
Great choice for a peaceful getaway! The property is beautiful and the cabin is as cozy as advertised.
See more
A
Alexa
November 2025
With pets
We had an amazing time at this site. The property was beautiful and the cabin was so cozy. We loved walking the trails on the property and hanging out by the fire. Highly recommend this site, we hope to be back!
See moreH
Hana
October 2025
2 nights at The 40 Acre Wood
the cabin was so cozy and had everything you would need! we’re definitely coming back here :)
See moreR
Ryan
October 2025
With pets
I loved the coziness in this area. Our dog loved his freedom and we enjoyed everything about being secluded. the amenities inside the cabin was unexpected and it was very helpful. Thank you Dave for a relaxing weekend.
See more
B
Brennan
October 2025
Tent
With pets
We set up camp in the back location and it was a nice stay. Great spot for pets as they have plenty of room to run around. Nice trails throughout the woods to check out. The night sky was the best! We could see every star imaginable! Would recommend!
See more
e
elizabeth
October 2025
Weekend Trip to The Pug Ranch
Simple and peaceful! Highly recommend for a weekend or even an evening away!
See moreR
Robert
October 2025
22 ft pop-up camper
Great place to camp. Fit my pop-up toy hauler perfectly (2007 StarCraft RT13) Well maintained with a few trails around the farm. Host was amazing! We will definitely be staying again.
See more
G
Greg
October 2025
Weekend Trip to The Pug Ranch
Nice secluded hilltop, very private, easy to get into.
Garrett was responsive, and was pleasure to deal with.
We loved just sitting by the fire surrounded by trees, and sleeping in the cute little cabin.
Thanks Garrett, we will be back 🫶
See more
Whit
September 2025
With pets
We absolutely loved how secluded and beautiful this spot was! You really can't beat the location either - 15 minutes to beautiful sand dunes, 10 minutes to delicious cherry farm treats. And the trails are so well marked and maintained - we were thoroughly impressed with everything, including quick and helpful responses from our host. We are already dreaming up our next visit here.
See moreK
Kent
September 2025
Tent
With pets
Had a long weekend and some new gear to try out, so we decided to look to the north for a campsite. Everything was booked, not to mention packed full of people. Then my brother told me about Hipcamp, and everything changed.. We found Clinton's Ranch site and it checked all the boxes: close to where my parents were staying, dog friendly, and isolated (one campsite only). Clinton was super cool and easy to deal with. He pretty much told us we could do whatever we wanted there and walked me back to check out the site, a nice mowed area tucked back in the woods. We spent 2 nights in perfect weather, not far from modern conveniences, which is good because there are no toilets on site (not even an issue at the price per night). Just bring a bucket toilet or something similar and pack in all of your water and you are set. It was paradise for 2 days. I would DEFinitely recommend this site and I will definitely be back someday.
See more
S
Shelby
August 2025
Weekend Trip to The Pug Ranch
Lovely place to stay! Very private, easy to get to and clean. The cabin is non-electric but had USB lights available that plugged into our Halo for extra light at night. The host Garrett was friendly and easy to reach. Looking forward to coming back to this gem.
See moreJ
Jose
August 2025
Group trip
Easy as could be. Beautiful property and location. Had everything we needed. Could not recommend it enough for a trip to get away. The cabin was more than we needed as we we outside the whole time. And honestly the nicest outhouse I have ever seen.
See more
S
Samantha
August 2025
With pets
We loved the private little cabin in the woods. It was such a beautiful peaceful spot to unplug and unwind for the weekend. It was close to town and Ludington state park and easily accessible. Amazing fire pit too!
See moreV
Victor
August 2025
With pets
It's an incredible cabin surrounded by nature, and the owner is quick to answer any questions you may have. I highly recommend visiting. What I liked most is that you can bring your dogs and the owner of the cabin has dishes and a bed for the dogs.
See moreR
Rebecca
August 2025
With kids
Had a great time at this cozy little stay, perfect mix of camping and home. Area is incredibly private, bed was comfy, and having AC was a huge bonus!
Only thing to note is the outhouse is quite a hike so bring a headlamp. ☺️
See moreM
Myriah
August 2025
With pets
The cabin was beyond gorgeous and even more charming then in the pictures. The bed was super comfortable, and supportive, not something we expected for a lil cabin! The perfect balance between being in nature, while still having access to a fridge, AC, and electricity! Lots of little touches that made the cabin feel special. Dave was also a highly responsive and gracious host. We will definitely try to make our way back out and do some more exploring!
See more
S
Sara
August 2025
With kids
DAVE's wooden lodge is a cute and very cozy place far enough from everything, but close to nature and close to Silver Lake Dunes, which is also awesome. Very peaceful, even on the toilet you can watch deers and squirrels. We used the hammock and made a fire, too, which was the best thing to do. Our kids loved discovering the trails and "hiking" in the woods.
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J
Jamie
July 2025
28 ft travel trailer
With kids
We loved our time there! The pasture was beautiful. The forest area was beautiful! The farm tour was the best! It was really nice not being around other campers and having to make sure the kids stayed quiet.
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K
Kate
July 2025
3 nights at The 40 Acre Wood
What a perfect getaway for a long weekend. My husband and I loved the quaint simplicity of Dave’s cabin and enjoyed plenty of time to reconnect over the fire at night while listening to the evening sounds of the woods. Perfect location for exploring lighthouses, dunes, and beautiful beaches.
See moreJ
Justin
July 2025
Weekend Trip to The 40 Acre Wood
What a great spot! Like the title says, very cozy and well stocked spot. My son and I were able to just relax and have fun. Easy directions, very clean and comfortable. We will be back!!
See more
