Seaton Creek Campground
Campground · Michigan · 19 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Manistee National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 19
- Bookable sites
- up to 25
- People per site
- 871 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Seaton Creek Campground adjoins Seaton Creek and is at the upper end of the backwater of Hodenpyl Dam Pond on the Big Manistee River. The forest surrounding the campground is mostly pine and the sites are rustic. The closest town is Mesick.Recreation
The surrounding waters offer excellent fishing opportunities for both panfish (perch, bluegil, crappie, sunfish) and game fish (trout, bass, pike, salmon). For State Fishing Regulations consult the Michigan Department of Natural Resources website, website http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/ . Kayakers may access the campground by traveling up the very shallow Seaton Creek, however canoeing is not recommended unless you're putting in at the Hodenpyl Backwaters. From there, you can canoe the Big Manistee. There is a connector trail to the Manistee River Trail from this site. The North Country National Scenic Trail can be reached by crossing the suspension bridge over the Manistee River. The Upper Branch Trailhead is also nearby.Facilities
Two group sites and 17 family sites area situated near a picnic area on the Hodenpyl Backwater of the Manistee River. There are two vault restroom buildings. Sites have fire rings and picnic tables. Drinking water is available.Natural Features
The terrain surrounding Hodenpyl Dam Pond is characterized as hilly with a mix of hardwoods and conifers. Briar Hill, which has the second-highest elevation in the lower peninsula, is located about five miles east of Hodenpyl Dam Pond. A number of other tributaries enter Hodenpyl Dam Pond from the east, flowing off the slopes of Briar Hill. These streams are characterized by very high gradient and cold temperatures. They include Seaton Creek, Small Creek, Preston Creek, Cripple Creek, and several unnamed streams. These streams mostly host a mix of brown and brook trout, although a few have only brook trout. The trailhead for the Manistee River Trail is within the campground.Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (801) 226-3564.The facts
- Season: April 29 – October 10 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
- 19 bookable sites
- Up to 25 people per site
- Loops: SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUND
Site types
- 17 Standard Nonelectric
- 2 Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Fire pits
- Picnic tables
- Grills
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups.
19 campsites at Seaton Creek Campground
Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 11:00 AM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Access | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Drive In | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 02 | SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Drive In | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 03 | SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Drive In | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 04 | SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Drive In | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 05 | SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Drive In | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 06 | SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Drive In | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 07 | SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Drive In | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 08 | SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Drive In | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 09 | SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Drive In | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 10 | SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Drive In | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 11 | SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Drive In | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 12 | SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Drive In | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 13 | SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Drive In | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 14 | SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Drive In | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 15 | SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Drive In | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 16 | SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Drive In | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 17 | SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | Drive In | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| GR1 | SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUND | Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | Hike In | — | 25 | 🐾 |
| GR2 | SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUND | Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | Hike In | — | 25 | 🐾 |
Getting there
From the north: Follow M-37 south 6 miles from Mesick. Turn right on 26 Road (near Yuma) for 1.7 miles, then right on O'Rourke Drive for 1.3 miles, then right on Forest Road 5993 for 0.4 mile to the site.
From the south: Take M-37 north 9 miles from its intersection with M-55. Turn left on 26 Road for 1.7 miles, then right on O'Rourke Drive for 1.3 miles, then right on Forest Road 5993 for 0.4 miles to the site.
44.35778, -85.80917 · 44°21'28.0"N 85°48'33.0"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 2.4 | 1.8 | 2.3 | 3.4 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.2 | 3.1 | 3.3 | 4.2 | 3.1 | 2.5 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 9.4 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 Seaton Creek Campground
- Can you reserve a site at Seaton Creek Campground?
- Yes, Seaton Creek Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Seaton Creek Campground have?
- 19 sites.
- Are pets allowed at Seaton Creek Campground?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Seaton Creek Campground.
- Are campfires allowed at Seaton Creek Campground?
- Campfires are allowed at Seaton Creek Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Also listed by
Seaton Creek Campground also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Seaton Creek Campground's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- Single Site: $30.00
- Group Site: $80.00
- Per Day:$10.00
- 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
Camping near Seaton Creek Campground
- Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites 5.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Peterson Bridge 10.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Pine National Scenic River Watercraft Permits (Huron Manistee) 10.8 mi · Permit · we watch it
- Sand Lake Campground 14.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Marzinski Horse Campground 19.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Low Bridge Canoe Landing 10.8 mi · Facility
- Pine Lake Campground 15 mi · Campground
- Elm Flats Canoe Landing 15 mi · Facility
- Udell Trailhead 15.8 mi · Facility
- Hemlock Campground and Boat Launch 17.4 mi · Campground
- Bear Track Campground 18.2 mi · Campground
- Old Grade Campground 20.6 mi · Campground
Contact
- Phone 231-723-0141
- 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.
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