No detected openings were recorded in the last 90 days. Campsite Sniper monitors Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites continuously and will alert you if that changes.
Of the 814 tracked site-nights (Sep 18 – Nov 30, 2026): 814 on sites not offered for online reservation (first-come, first-served or administrative).
No online availability right now
Load status
Sep 18 – Nov 30, 2026Of the 814 tracked site-nights (Sep 18 – Nov 30, 2026): 814 on sites not offered for online reservation (first-come, first-served or administrative).
Open dates by month
Sep 2026 – Nov 2026No month in range currently shows online availability. 0 open site-nights across the tracked window — these site-nights are on sites not offered for online reservation.
Holiday windows
Sites open per night · of 11 sites| Window | Night | Sites open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Day | SAT Sep 5 | 0 | None open |
| SUN Sep 6 | 0 | None open | |
| MON Sep 7 | 0 | None open | |
| Thanksgiving | THU Nov 26 | 0 | None open |
| FRI Nov 27 | 0 | None open | |
| SAT Nov 28 | 0 | None open |
Labor Day: no online availability on any tracked night. Thanksgiving: no online availability on any tracked night.
About Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites
Overview
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. The Red Bridge River Access offers 4 sites that are walk in only and allow easy access to the Manistee River. These sites are very popular and are by reservation only Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend.
Recreation
The Upper Manistee River Area offers motorized and non-motorized boating opportunities, and fishing is excellent on the Manistee River. Wildlife viewing may include encounters with a variety of species such as bald eagles, loons, trumpeter swans, black bears, white tailed deer, river otters, and turtles. Many of these species are secretive and sensitive to disturbances, so please view them from a distance. Hiking opportunities in the area are numerous with the North Country Trail and the Manistee River Trail, as the top draw to the area. Both trails offer excellent views of the forested terrain and the Manistee River.
Facilities
Each site is designed for single camp unit use with a maximum of 8 people and 2 vehicle per site. Sites include a picnic table, fire ring, and a lantern hook. Vault toilets are located with in walking distance of each site. A boat ramp is located at both Government Landing and Red Bridge. No drinking water is available at Government Landing, but drinking water is available at Red Bridge.
Natural Features
The Upper Manistee River Area is one of the more scenic areas of the Manistee National Forest and the outdoor enthusiast will enjoy a rustic camping experience enhanced by the scenic river, peace and solitude, and abundant wildlife. The Manistee River with its steep slopes and sharp turns meanders through native hardwoods and pines.
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
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
Photo gallery
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites?
Campsite Sniper's current snapshot shows none of the 814 tracked site-nights open for online reservation at Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites. That can mean dates are reserved, closed, not yet released, or offered first-come, first-served rather than online. Pick a site on the map to see its calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this campground for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Sep 18, 2026 14:17 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.
Which sites at Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites fit a 35-foot RV?
No RV-analyzable site here has a recorded maximum of 35 ft or more; the longest recorded is 20 ft.
Does Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites have online availability right now?
As of the Sep 18, 2026 snapshot, none of the 814 tracked site-nights are open for online reservation. That can mean dates are reserved, closed, not yet released, or offered first-come, first-served rather than online. A free Campsite Sniper alert tells you if any date opens online.
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We run paced availability checks for Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites. One watch covers every matching site.
When a match opens, you get a push with a Recreation.gov link so you can review and book it yourself.