Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Manton, MI: Baxter Bridge State Forest Campground on Manistee River

August 2021, One-night, Campsite 16


Baxter Bridge State Forest Campground on Manistee River

This was our third time staying in this campground, although I could not find posts from our previous stays. We stayed on a riverfront site in the fall of 2010 and 2013. There are three riverfront sites in the main area of the campground, and at least one more at the very end of the road. I am sharing a labeled screenshot from Google maps, since I could not find a map for this campground. Remember, you can enlarge photos by clicking on them, and if you are a subscriber, you are probably receiving even larger photos in the email notifications.


Riverfront site at Baxter Bridge State Forest Campground in 2010

When we arrived Thursday afternoon, all of the riverfront sites were taken. Well, kind of... People were setting up on the middle site of the three sites together, and they had belongings on the other two sites to hold them for their friends. At least their friends arrived before nightfall that same day. I would have been quite annoyed if they had not arrived that day, since we were only staying one night, and left early Friday morning. This stay was a brief mid-point stop for us on the way up to Grand Traverse Bay with our boat.


Campsite 16 at Baxter Bridge State Forest Campground on Manistee River

Other than not having a view of the river, we thought campsite 16 was one of the best campsites in this campground. It is spacious, level, grassy, and somewhat private. The only side that was not private is the side along the road, which could have been easily blocked by parking our truck crossways.

Campsite 16 at Baxter Bridge State Forest Campground on Manistee River

There are two sites directly across the road from campsite 16, before the river sites, which are also good sites, if you are camping with one other person. You can see the river from these two sites, as they are up a slight hill from the three sites closer to the river. There were two campers on these sites camping together during our stay.

Sunset on Manistee River in front of our site at
Baxter Bridge State Forest Campground in 2013

This is a rustic state forest campground with only vault toilets, water pumps, and a trash dumpster. The cost is $15 a night, and you need a state park vehicle permit. There is a self-registration kiosk at the entrance, and on the corner across the road from campsite 16. It is a great place to stay, if you want to kayak Manistee River, as you can end at camp. It has been peaceful every time we have stayed here.


Happy and safe travels to all ~ Let me know if you have any questions!




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