Seaton Creek Campground
Huron-Manistee National Forests — riverside
Location: Manistee, MI, MI
Price: From $30 per night
Price range: $30–$80 per night
Rating: 4.8 out of 5 (8 reviews)
Season: May through October
Seaton Creek Campground adjoins Seaton Creek and is at the upper end of the backwater of Hodenpyl Dam Pond on the Big Manistee River. The forest surrounding the campground is mostly pine and the sites are rustic. The closest town is Mesick.The terrain surrounding Hodenpyl Dam Pond is characterized as hilly with a mix of hardwoods and conifers.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): strong signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 100%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Camp Host
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/seaton-creek-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Seaton Creek Campground offers rustic camping adjoining Seaton Creek with excellent fishing opportunities for panfish and game fish on Hodenpyl Dam Pond. Campers consistently praise it as one of Michigan's best campgrounds with easy access to the Manistee River Trail and a welcoming, kind groundskeeper.
Wildlife alert: Bald Eagles, Ruffed Grouse, North American Porcupines, Eastern Hognose Snakes, Common Garter Snakes, and Painted Turtles verified in the area.
Insider tips for Seaton Creek Campground: Book early—this is a popular federal campground. The Manistee River Trail trailhead is located within the campground. Hand pump well water and vault toilets available; this is truly rustic camping with no showers or running water.
Skip Seaton Creek Campground if: You require RV hookups—no hookups available, suitable only for self-contained RVs.. You need shower facilities—vault toilets and hand pump well water only.. You visit outside May-October—seasonal operations only..
Best time to visit Seaton Creek Campground: May-October — Campground operates seasonally from May through October only..
Nearby campgrounds: Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites (Brethren, MI), Peterson Bridge (Wellston, MI), Sand Lake Campground (Irons, MI), Marzinski Horse Campground (Manistee, MI).
Cell Phone Coverage at Seaton Creek Campground
Cell signal at Seaton Creek Campground (Manistee, MI): strong overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Seaton Creek Campground adjoins Seaton Creek and is at the upper end of the backwater of Hodenpyl Dam Pond on the Big Manistee River. The forest surrounding the campground is mostly pine and the sites are rustic. The closest town is Mesick.The terrain surrounding Hodenpyl Dam Pond is characterized as hilly with a mix of hardwoods and conifers.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a popular federal campground.
The Manistee River Trail trailhead is located within the campground.
Hand pump well water and vault toilets available; this is truly rustic camping with no showers or running water.
Campground operates seasonally from May through October only.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From the north: Follow M-37 south 6 miles from Mesick. Turn right on 26 Road (near Yuma) for 1.7 miles, then right on O'Rourke Drive for 1.3 miles, then right on Forest Road 5993 for 0.4 mile to the site. From the south: Take M-37 north 9 miles from its intersection with M-55. Turn left on 26 Road for 1.7 miles, then right on O'Rourke Drive for 1.3 miles, then right on Forest Road 5993 for 0.4 miles to the site.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Huron-Manistee National Forests fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Huron-Manistee National Forests before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Seaton Creek Campground cost per night?+
What season is Seaton Creek Campground open?+
Does Seaton Creek Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Seaton Creek Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Seaton Creek Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Seaton Creek Campground?+
What season is Seaton Creek Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
Nearby Campgrounds
Own a campground nearby?
List free on CamperWatch — we take 5% only on bookings we send. No monthly fee.