U.S. Forest Service · Manistee National Forest · MI

Seaton Creek Campground

Seaton Creek Campground SignPhoto · USDA BWC
OpenSeason 04-29 – 10-10
ReservableAccess
19Sites

The place

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/ . Keep reading

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 sites · 19

LoopSiteTypeMax rigElectricADA
SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUND01standard nonelectric
SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUND02standard nonelectric
SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUND03standard nonelectric
SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUND04standard nonelectric
SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUND05standard nonelectric
SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUND06standard nonelectric
SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUND07standard nonelectric
SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUND08standard nonelectric
SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUND09standard nonelectric
SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUND10standard nonelectric
SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUND11standard nonelectric
SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUND12standard nonelectric
SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUND13standard nonelectric
SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUND14standard nonelectric
SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUND15standard nonelectric
SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUND16standard nonelectric
SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUND17standard nonelectric
SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUNDGR1group tent only area nonelectric
SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUNDGR2group tent only area nonelectric

Booking

183 daysBooking window before arrival

Recreation.gov default: most campsites can be booked six months prior to arrival date. Most campgrounds go on sale at 7am PT / 8am MT / 10am ET, but not always; check the facility Seasons and Fees tab. Some locations also offer shorter supplemental booking windows.

Book on recreation.gov

Who runs it

Operated by American Land & Leisure, a private concessionaire, under permit from the agency.

SRC · Operator link · 2026-08-24

Your representative

This campground sits in MI-02. This member’s public-lands record →

SRC · U.S. Census TIGER · MTJP Scorecard