Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites
Huron-Manistee National Forests — riverside, fishing, hiking
Location: Brethren, MI, MI
Price: From $20 per night
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (51 reviews)
Season: Memorial Day through Labor Day
The Upper Manistee dispersed campsites are primitive campsites on the Manistee River Backwaters of Tippy Dam Pond, located along the banks of the Manistee River between Tippy Dam and Hodenpyl Dam. The Government Landing location includes 7 sites, in which, 5 are located on the water and 2 sites are on higher ground overlooking the water. There are 2 sites located on the water that are walk in only.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: AT&T.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/upper-manistee-river-backcountry-campsites to be notified when sites open up.
Idyllic rustic campground set in mature red pine plantation with tall pines providing screening between sites. Highly rated at 4.7/5 stars with campers praising the quiet, relaxing atmosphere and spectacular stargazing.
Wildlife alert: American Beaver, Eastern Cottontail, Hooded Merganser, Belted Kingfisher, Wild Turkey, Wood Duck, Eastern Hognose Snake, Common Garter Snake, and Painted Turtle documented in area.
Insider tips for Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites: Bring cash — $20/night fee, cash preferred per camper reviews. Government Landing has 7 sites including 5 waterfront locations; Red Bridge River Access offers 4 walk-in only sites. Book early as this is a federal campground with high demand.
Skip Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites if: You need RV hookups — no hookups available; only suitable for self-contained RVs.. You visit outside Memorial Day through Labor Day — seasonal operations only.. You prefer developed campground amenities — these are primitive backcountry sites..
Best time to visit Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites: Memorial Day - Labor Day — Campground operates seasonally during this window only..
Nearby campgrounds: Seaton Creek Campground (Manistee, MI), Peterson Bridge (Wellston, MI), Sand Lake Campground (Irons, MI), Marzinski Horse Campground (Manistee, MI).
Cell Phone Coverage at Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites
Cell signal at Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites (Brethren, MI): weak overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: AT&T.
- AT&T 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.
The Upper Manistee dispersed campsites are primitive campsites on the Manistee River Backwaters of Tippy Dam Pond, located along the banks of the Manistee River between Tippy Dam and Hodenpyl Dam. The Government Landing location includes 7 sites, in which, 5 are located on the water and 2 sites are on higher ground overlooking the water. There are 2 sites located on the water that are walk in only.
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 entryBring cash
$20/night fee, cash preferred per camper reviews.
Government Landing has 7 sites including 5 waterfront locations; Red Bridge River Access offers 4 walk-in only sites.
Book early as this is a federal campground with high demand.
Campground operates seasonally during this window 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: AT&T.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
For All Campsites: From the intersection of M55 and M37, head west on M-55 for 2.7 miles Turn right onto N Warfield Rd, then travel north for 5.1 miles Turn left onto N Coates Hwy and travel west until you cross the bridge over the Manistee River Red Bridge campsites will be on the left For Government Landing Campsites: Continue west on N Coates Hwy toward Upper River Rd 0.6 miles Turn left onto River Rd/Upper River Rd and head south for 1.3 miles Government Landing campsites will be on the left
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.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites cost per night?+
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●Data sources on this page
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