By:
Submission
Lake Michigan Recreation Area is a four loop campground located on the shoreline to Lake Michigan between Manistee and Ludington. In addition to the 99 single family sites and 3 group sites, the site also boasts a day use area with multiple picnic tables, pavilions and a playground, an ampitheater and an overlook. Arrowhead Trail, which runs through the campground, connects to the wilderness trails that traverse Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area.
Directions:
From Manistee -
Travel south on US-31 for 10 miles.
Turn right and travel west on W. Forest Trail Rd. for 8 miles.
W. Forest Trail Rd. becomes FR 5629. Continue west on FR 5629.
The road terminates at the site.
Concessionaire Fee - Camping (per night):
Single Site: $25.00
Group Site (up to 25 people): $55.00
Group Site (26 – 50 people): $72.00
Extra Vehicle: $7.00/vehicle
Ampitheater: $140
Recreation Enhancement Act Fee - Beach and Picnic Day Use Areas -
Day: $5.00
Week: $15.00
Well, the campsites are nice, quiet, spacious and shady. However, it is rustic and not that clean. The flash toilets are very simple, not really for brush teeth or wash face etc. It is close to nice beach with nice trails. I would say it is more for RV or trailer but not tents.
It cost money to go here, so I like the many lake Michigan Beach just to the south and north of here which do not cost anything.
This is an exceptionally awesome campground!!! It is fairly primitive, so it is for campers who are going to enjoy “real”CAMPING! I have been going here since as long as I can remember, and have never tired of being in the wooded sights, riding the bike trails, and enjoying the beach! I love the clean, quiet nature feel, and I am sure that you will fall in love with it also!!!
A non- camping review / recreation only: If you want miles of beautiful, natural, untampered Lake Michigan beach to explore, there is no better place in Michigan than this location. ( With the possible exception of Sleeping Bear Dunes) This federal land is somewhat under the radar, especially compared to nearby state parks. Expect a 10+ mile paved drive through forest to the beach area.
Walk along the beach for miles and enjoy the Lake Michigan shoreline as it has always looked for millennium. Hike south and, eventually, you will enter the north end of Ludington State Park and encounter the lighthouse. Go north and I'm not quite sure how far you can go. It's beautiful and all natural and refreshing. Rolling dunes and pounding surf. There are trails along the edge of the woods ( see picture of map,this spot is the upper parking lot) but nothing beats walking along the edge of the surf. You're going to get wet and it can be slow going but so what.
An easy place to get lost and forget where you entered the shoreline. No internet service ( Verizon)
Leave only your footsteps and take only your memories.
Love the remoteness of this campground. 3 loops have the sites spread out just right. Plenty of undergrowth to alllow a small sense of privacy, so you don't feel like you're too close or intruding on your neighbors. Easy trails to get to the beach, however, could be marked better when coming from the main trails to the campground loops. One downside is that there really isn't any cell service unless you climb the dune next to the campgrounds or drive 10 minutes. If you can get a signal booster, I recommend it so you don't get an unexpected downpour.
