- Huron-Manistee National Forests
The best camping in Huron-Manistee National Forests, MI
83% (29)
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A
Airin
3 weeks ago
22 ft campervan
With pets
This is our second visit and it was as great as the first! Perfect location with a beautiful view!
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Alexis
October 2025
With pets
Beautiful setting, and a well-equipped rustic cabin! Jeremey was incredibly helpful answering our questions ahead of the trip, and made sure everything was ready for our arrival. So peaceful and relaxing! Our husky Tala loved being able to explore. We loved the covered deck, the sauna, and being able to use the canoes on the crystal clear river. Can’t wait to visit again during different times of the year!
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Terra
October 2025
Tent
I loved tent camping on this property. The area is very nice and the tools in the shed came in very handy! The night sky and view during the day time was beautiful. There’s some trails on the property that made exploring so much fun! Thank you so much for letting us stay on your property.
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Kari
October 2025
20 ft pop-up camper
With pets
Beautiful spot well taken care of. Very clean composting toilet. Loved seeing the stars. A bit noisy by the road but was beautiful!
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Meghan
September 2025
Tent
You can tell they take pride in their spot! You can’t get a better bathroom experience for an outhouse. Lovely fire pit, great little two person bench. Very well maintained. We are looking forward to returning!
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Angelina
September 2025
Tent
Group trip
The campsite was absolutely beautiful and well maintained. Wonderful trails and ponds the land is breathtaking.
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Selena
September 2025
Tent
With pets
Genuinely such an amazing experience at Camp Bear Paw!! Kevin and Lori are phenomenal hosts. It’s truly a hidden gem. There’s activities for kids all ages and adults. Anything you may have forgotten (chairs, ice, worms, fishing poles , cooking supplies , etc.) they have it all! I couldn’t have asked for a better experience or hosts. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a nice private get away. Thank you again Kevin and Lori. You made things so memorable 😄💕
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Alexa
September 2025
Tent
With pets
Fantastic property! Not only qere the hosts so kind and helpful they truly had every accommodating feature we needed. All the kids loved it and we hope to come back again!!
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Tracie
September 2025
With pets
This place was good for the soul. The beautiful river, the sandy beach, fire pit, no TV or road noise made this the perfect getaway. We will be back and will stay longer. The outhouse was clean and well stocked. What a gem!
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Paul
September 2025
Group trip
Another great time at Cut river cabin, hope to be back again next fall!
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Dominick
September 2025
Amanda
September 2025
19 ft travel trailer
Parents enjoyed their 19 ft trailer here. Perfect set up, plenty of room. Very clean restroom!! Perfect place! They enjoyed the peace and quiet and fell asleep in their gravity chairs.
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Amanda
September 2025
Tent
With pets
Exactly as described and peaceful. The only thing I would have done different is stayed longer! This is a perfect slice of heaven on long lake. Thoughtful hosts who check in and make sure you are happy.
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Jamison
September 2025
25 ft travel trailer
With pets
Always the best time! Even as the kids get older, they still have so much to do and have so much fun!! Thank you again!
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Mark
September 2025
17 ft travel trailer
Enjoyed camping on Jason's land. Lots of elbow room and easy pull in and set up. Nice little bathroom with shower available. Took our bikes into Alpena to ride some of the bike trails there and took a drive in the evenings in the Atlanta area in case we could see some Elk. Also nearby lakes to fish or kayak.
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Angela
September 2025
Tent
Very informative and helpful host! Directions were easy to follow. Place was very secluded, you have it all to yourself and even has a flushing toilet- AMAZING.
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Bradley
September 2025
Tent
With pets
Kevin and Laurie are Top Notch. My and family and I have had the privilege of staying at Bear Paw 3 times.
Our kids love to swim in the pond, fish, and explore the grounds. There plenty of playgrounds and for the kids to playWe enjoy sitting by the fire using the wood that’s provided.
Kevin and Laurie not only keep the grounds well maintained but they genuinely care. They check on us periodically throughout the stay to see if we need anything. It’s clear to see that providing a memory-filled camping experience is what they strive for.
We have camped at state parks and county parks as well, but Bear Paw rises to the top for us!
Thank you!
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Steven
September 2025
Tent
Group trip
Really great and private location with beauty all around. The host Phil was more than accommodating and made us feel right at home. Would definitely recommend to folks that enjoy rustic camping.
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Sharia
September 2025
Tent
Group trip
We wait all yr for this peaceful, recharge weekend. Worth the drive from anywhere. Everything needed is provided and the solitude is the best thing. Thank u
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Brett
September 2025
Group trip
My stay at the Atwood Lodge was an absolute treat for the soul and senses. It provided me with a weekend of peace and beauty to cleanse my mind of the hustle and bustle of city living. My family and I particularly enjoyed the wonderfully manicured trails to walk and explore. We also loved wildlife 'hunting' with our eyes, spotting many deer, turkeys, and monarchs. The stars at night over the campfire on the hill were an absolute spectacle. The beds were clean and comfortable, providing great restful sleep for us all. The lodge interior was clean and cozy, complete with all the amenities one would need from home. My only regret is not walking all the trails this trip, guess I'll have to plan another stay 😉.
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Stay at a public campground in Huron-Manistee National Forests
Top-rated campgrounds
The best camping in Huron-Manistee National Forests, MI guide
Overview
About
You’re going to feel like you struck gold when you visit Huron-Manistee National Forest and you might actually strike gold! Along with hiking and horseback riding in the fairytale forest of lower Michigan, you can also pan for gold or hunt for natural minerals and geodes. If a sparkly souvenir isn’t your fancy, tube down the AuSable National Scenic River or explore the Nordhouse Dunes. The Loda Lake National Wildflower Sanctuary is delight for all your senses and a spot to get that epic panoramic shot. This is a place you’ll want to discover for more than a day, so crack a few fireside brews at one of Huron-Manistee’s campgrounds. You’ll have no issues here striking it rich in both scenery and fun.
83%
29 ratings · 13 reviews
November 2021
Camped her a few years ago, it def was quiet. Fishing with the kids was a blast, not much activity on the lake actually. The sites where very clean and the toilets were ok. The host was very informative and willing to do what he could for us..
Dean J.
4 years on Hipcamp
October 2021
I have been camping at Sulak for years, the sites are a good distance apart and setup well. There are fire pits, picnic tables and lantern holders at all 12 sites. There are vaulted toilets by the campsites and down by the river access that are maintained by the DNR. The campground has changed over the years, but is still a favorite for me and my boys.
Dean J.
4 years on Hipcamp
October 2020
Equestrian camps are for horse campers.
Poles are to tie up horses on a high line.
True, this Equestrian camp is not often.
used. but it is so disappointing to arrive with a big rig, four horses and find all the pull through sites occupied by tents and children who have no idea how to behave around horses.
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Judy B.
5 years on Hipcamp
September 2019
Nichols Lake South Campground is a National Forest campground and does accept reservations. I make mine every year.
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Tracy T.
6 years on Hipcamp
August 2019
I definitely would not recommend this campground to anyone. There was no Beach maybe 50 feet. The so-called host has nothing to do with the campground. And the ranger that Patrols the campground is very hostile. I would not even recommend this Campground for prisoners. Never again will I camp at a federal Campground again.
Robin E.
6 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· January 2019
One of the best kept secrets in Michigan, this campground has beautiful, large sites covered with trees, and within walking distance of Lake Michigan.
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Jill W.
6 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· January 2019
This is a great place to keep your car while you backpack the Manistee River Loop. Unfortunately, the Loop itself has become really crowded -- it's best to go during the week.
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Jill W.
6 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· December 2017
If you search well enough or in advance you can find some secluded spots to post up up for some amazing summer weekends.
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Adam P.
8 years on Hipcamp
September 2017
We stayed at the free campsites just east of the recreation area in the national forest. There is a long dirt road called Green Road in the national forest with signs that say to not park on the west side of the road. Lots of great open campsites with fire rings. No amenities in the national forest.
Kate M.
8 years on Hipcamp
September 2017
We stayed here on 8/10/17
We had this campground all to ourselves for three days! There are a few sites that are better suited for a small R/V or tent and others with full pull-through capabilities. Little known site as far as we can tell; most people were an hour north in the dunes. National Parks were all at capacity when we ventured down here.
There was one outhouse for the whole camp and a hand water pump (I don't think the water is potable coming from this one).
We would visit this place again. I wouldn't know how to review this for the equestrian adventurers. There were several hitching posts in the camp.
Kate M.
8 years on Hipcamp
May 2017
This little gem of a campground is nicely tucked away in the Manistee National Forest. It is clean and comfortable with nice large sites. The best thing is that you can hop right on the Manistee River Trail and hike along the east side of the Manistee River for about 10 miles. If you cross the bridge to the other side you can take the North Country Trail back to a foot bridge and arrive right back at the campground. It's gorgeous 20 mile hike.
Jeff M.
9 years on Hipcamp
July 2016
Based on this recommendation, I took my family to camp here. I followed the Google Maps to "Pines Point Campground". I don't recommend doing this because we went down a super sketchy muddy road with no signs except for "Private Property". We arrived at the 'destination' and it was a deadend with thousands of flies swarming the car, probably from all the dead bodies of previous idiots who followed Google Maps.
We ended up going to White River Campground, which is your typical public location. After our experience at Creepy Hollow, we didn't mind being in the company of others. I'm sure this place is actually pretty cool, but it's so off-the-grid that you might need a helicopter to get there.
Colin T.
9 years on Hipcamp
July 2015
A rustic walk-in campground with plenty of room to roam. Popular spot for recreational water craft to put in and out. There are 2 groups sites which means there is a 50/50 chance you'll have a loud, late night group on the weekends.
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Rick H.
10 years on Hipcamp