Bowman Bridge
Campground · Michigan · 17 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Manistee National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 17
- Bookable sites
- 50 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 20
- People per site
- 754 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Bowman Bridge Campground is perfect for true nature immersion. Campers come here for easy access to the Pere Marquette National Scenic River and for the delightful views of the great outdoors.Recreation
The top three activities for campers at Bowman Bridge are canoeing, fishing and hiking. Anglers cast for brown trout, salmon, steelhead and rainbow trout.Watercraft rentals are available at two nearby liveries in Baldwin. A permit is required to float the river from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend through Monday of Labor Day weekend. Watercraft hours during the permit season are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Hikers can head up the campground's connector trail to the North Country National Scenic Trail. This "north country" trail weaves through many scenic, historic and cultural areas across seven states, measuring 4,600 miles end-to-end.
Facilities
Campsites are in a wooded setting, but due to a tornado that passed through in 2005, tall trees and shade are less dense than in neighboring campgrounds.The campground has a single loop 16 paved family campsites. There are also 4 walk-in family campsites and 4 tent-only group sites that can accommodate up to 20 people each.
Natural Features
The campground is situated along the Pere Marquette National Scenic River, a 66-mile stretch of clear, unspoiled waters within the Huron-Manistee National Forests in Michigan. Large blocks of public land offering opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, photography, and hunting can be found in the surrounding area.Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (801) 226-3564.Nearby Attractions
Visitors enjoy exploring the extent of the Pere Marquette National Scenic River. Other nearby attractions include the Bowman Lake Foot Travel Area and the historic community of Idlewild.The facts
- Season: May 3 – October 10 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
- 17 bookable sites
- Vehicles up to 50 ft
- Up to 20 people per site
- Loops: BOWMAN BRIDGE
Site types
- 13 Standard Nonelectric
- 4 Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Picnic tables
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits, grills.
17 campsites at Bowman Bridge
Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 1:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | BOWMAN BRIDGE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 50 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 002 | BOWMAN BRIDGE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 50 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 003 | BOWMAN BRIDGE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 50 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 004 | BOWMAN BRIDGE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 50 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 005 | BOWMAN BRIDGE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 50 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 006 | BOWMAN BRIDGE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 50 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 007 | BOWMAN BRIDGE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 50 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 012 | BOWMAN BRIDGE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 50 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 013 | BOWMAN BRIDGE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 50 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 014 | BOWMAN BRIDGE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 50 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 016 | BOWMAN BRIDGE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 50 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 08/09 | BOWMAN BRIDGE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 50 ft | 16 | 🐾 |
| 10/11 | BOWMAN BRIDGE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | 50 ft | 16 | 🐾 |
| GS1 | BOWMAN BRIDGE | Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric | — | Paved | — | 20 | 🐾 |
| GS2 | BOWMAN BRIDGE | Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric | — | Paved | — | 20 | 🐾 |
| GS3 | BOWMAN BRIDGE | Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric | — | Paved | — | 20 | 🐾 |
| GS4 | BOWMAN BRIDGE | Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric | — | Paved | — | 20 | 🐾 |
Getting there
From Baldwin, turn west on 7th Street, then left onto Cherry Street. Take the first right, W 52nd Street, and drive 5 miles. Look for signs into the campground.
43.88833, -85.94222 · 43°53'18.0"N 85°56'32.0"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 2.6 | 2.0 | 2.3 | 3.5 | 3.6 | 3.4 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 3.3 | 4.0 | 3.2 | 2.5 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 15.4 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Bowman Bridge
- Can you reserve a site at Bowman Bridge?
- Yes, Bowman Bridge is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Bowman Bridge have?
- 17 sites.
- What is the maximum RV length at Bowman Bridge?
- 50 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are pets allowed at Bowman Bridge?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Bowman Bridge.
- Are campfires allowed at Bowman Bridge?
- Campfires are allowed at Bowman Bridge. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Also listed by
Bowman Bridge also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Bowman Bridge's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- Single Site: $30.00
- Double Site: $60.00
- Group Site: $110.00
- Per Day: $7.00
- Extra Vehicle: $10.00
Restrictions:
- Motorized Vehicle Use of Roads, Trails and Off-road Areas; R904-14-02
- Occupancy and Use - Developed Recreation Areas, Dispersed Areas, Being Publicly Nude, Marine Prohibitions, Parking and Sanitation; R904-14-03
- Pere Marquette National Scenic River Corridor; R904-14-14
Camping near Bowman Bridge
- Gleasons Landing 1.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Pere Marquette National Scenic River Watercraft Permits (Huron Manistee) 5.1 mi · Permit · we watch it
- Nichols Lake South Campground 11.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Bowman Lake Area 0.1 mi · Facility
- Bowman Lake Campground 1.3 mi · Campground
- Claybanks Campground 3.2 mi · Campground
- Sulak Campground 4.3 mi · Campground
- Timber Creek Campground 4.9 mi · Campground
- Elk Canoe Campground 5.2 mi · Campground
- Highbank Lake Campground 8.6 mi · Campground
- Condon Lakes West 9.3 mi · Campground
- Whelan Lake Area 10.8 mi · Campground
Contact
- Phone 231-745-8760
- Email Help.Huron.Manistee@AmericanLL.com
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-06-26.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
Comments