Tippy Dam Campground and Cabins

Campground in Wellston, MI • 17 RV Sites

Tippy Dam Campground and Cabins sits in the heart of Manistee National Forest in Wellston, Michigan, positioned directly on the Manistee River at one of the state's most celebrated trout and salmon fishing destinations. The campground takes its name from the Tippy Dam—a hydroelectric facility on the Manistee that creates the impoundment responsible for the world-class steelhead and chinook salmon runs that draw anglers from across the Midwest each fall and spring. The campground provides 24 electric sites and 11 non-electric sites, all with picnic tables and fire pits, plus a bathhouse with showers that received a complete upgrade in fall 2024. A water fill station and dump station handle logistical needs for self-contained rigs. Rustic cabins sleep up to six people each and come equipped with bunk beds, a propane heating stove, solar-powered lighting, a table and chairs, and a fire circle outside—a genuinely remote feel despite the convenient road access. An accessible fishing pier extends over the Manistee River from the parking lot, putting productive water within reach for campers of all mobility levels. The tippy dam campground is pet-friendly and operates year-round for campers who time their visits around the seasonal fish runs. Manistee National Forest surrounds the campground on all sides, creating one of Michigan's most immersive forest settings—stands of northern hardwood and conifer, sandy two-track roads, and the wide, cold Manistee River moving steadily through it all. The river here is wide, dark, and deep in the pool below the dam, an ideal holding environment for the large salmon and steelhead that stack up during fall and spring runs. The North Country Trail and Manistee River Trail both pass through the area, offering multi-day backpacking routes and day hiking options through the national forest with river views and backcountry scenery that rivals anything in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. The Manistee River downstream of Tippy Dam is one of Michigan's premier canoe and kayak routes, offering a gentle float through forested national forest land with a series of riverside campgrounds accessible only by water. Several liveries in the Wellston-Mesick area offer canoe, kayak, and tube rentals with shuttle service, making it easy to run a half-day or full-day river trip. Caberfae Peaks ski area is about 20 miles east and offers winter recreation once the snow arrives. The resort town of Cadillac, about 30 miles east, provides full commercial services, waterfront dining on Lake Cadillac, and additional paddling on the connected Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell. Tippy Dam Campground is one of Michigan's genuine four-season destinations—steelhead in spring, canoeing and hiking through summer, salmon runs in September and October, and snowshoeing and ice fishing through winter. The fall salmon run is the calendar's peak, attracting serious anglers who know that the Manistee River below Tippy Dam ranks among the most productive chinook salmon fisheries in the Great Lakes system. Electric sites fill quickly during the salmon season and summer weekends, so reservations are important for peak periods. If you're looking for a Michigan campground where the river itself is the primary attraction—and fishing, paddling, and trail miles define the daily agenda—Tippy Dam Campground and Cabins delivers the real thing.

Campground rules and policies

Check-In Procedure
- Check-In 2:00 PM.
- Check-Out 11:00 AM.
- Cabin Check-In 3:00 PM.
- Cabin Check-Out 11:00 AM.
- While each park attempts to accommodate your exact spot request, the on-site manager has the ultimate decision for spot placement.Quiet Time
- 11:00 PM-7:00 AM.Registration Tags
- Must be visibly displayed on all vehicles.Speed Limit
- Is 5 mph at all times for all vehicles.Vehicle & Registration Rules
- Registration tags must be visibly displayed on all vehicles.
- ORV’s side by sides, ATVs/Motorcycles/Dirt Bikes etc., are allowed in the park and need to observe the speed limit.
- Please refrain from revving of engines of all vehicles at any time.Campfire Rules
- Please do not move the fire rings.
- if you have a concern about the position of the fire ring, please come to the office and we can discuss it.
- Please do not use the fire ring as a garbage pit; there is a dumpster for your garbage up front.Pet Policy
- Pets are always welcome but must be on a leash, cleaned up after, and closely monitored.
- Please do not leave your pet at your site unattended if they have behavioral problems and/or will continuously bark.Waste & Sanitation
- Wastewater must be properly discharged into an authorized receptacle only and never discharged onto the ground.
- Fish Cleaning is allowed at the fish cleaning station only, not at your site.
- All fish carcasses must be bagged in garbage bags before disposal into the dumpster.Guest Policy
- Respect for Other Guests
- Do not walk through occupied sites.Generator Policy
- Generators may be used between 9:00 AM and 9:00 PM.Prohibited Items & Activities
- No use of fireworks, firearms, BB guns, slingshots, or chainsaws in the campground.Rates
- Holidays or special events will differ.
- Children 12 and under are no charge.Liability Disclaimer
- Tippy Dam Campground and Cabins is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged items at or around your campsite.
- This includes your vehicle, RV, tent, boat, ORV, etc.