1. Hartwick Pines State Park

    1. Hartwick Pines State Park

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    Grayling, MI

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    Hartwick Pines State Park

    4.5 (14 reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 10:00 pm

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    My dog at Hartwick Pines State Park
    Amanda L.

    Hartwick Pines State Park is hands down one of the best state parks this beautiful state has to offer, no question about it! It's almost a bit of a hidden gem just because it's not along any lakeshore, so I feel like it isn't as highly trafficked as you might think. Basically, the low traffic levels just feel very disproportionate to how stunningly beautiful this park is and all it has to offer! I don't think I saw a single person here throughout my entire hike, which was sad because it was a beautiful, winter day, early evening & the sun was still shining! If you like pines and old growth forests, well then...you clearly have to come here! It's so beautiful, so interesting, the views are endless and constantly changing, there's almost like too much to look at and appreciate and it kept me fully engaged throughout the entire hike. The hike was absolutely beautiful and almost leisurely, with a big hill at the end of the trail I was on to really spice things up a bit before the hike was over. It was truly perfect. I had a great time here and so did my dog and I am consciously planning when I can come back here again because it was just that incredible!

    Old logging equipment
    A.J. C.

    Attended Wood Shaving Days Festival. A couple of hours was the perfect amount of time to take a leisurely walk, to see the museum and demonstrations, and to visit the vendors. We snagged a couple of souvenirs. Great event. Just too bad they hit you up for parking.

    Entrance
    Debbie C.

    We went to get some exercise and learn about the logging camps and history of the old hardwood forests. What a delightful afternoon! They have done a wonderful job of explaining what we were experiencing and seeing. There were some great hands on activities for those with children. The museum and the visitor center were really well done. We could easily visit this wonderful facility and nature preserve again.

    Campsites may flood
    Richard S.

    We stayed at campsite 38, and our site flooded during a strong rainstorm. We noted several other sites along that outer stretch that also puddled up, so be prepared for that to happen if it rains. Other than that, our campsite was nice and secluded. We went canoeing and fishing on the Bright and Glory Lakes, which are near-identical, filled with trout, around 50 feet deep, and smooth as glass. There are loose-gravel boat launches for each. Elsewhere, the Logging Museum, Chapel in the Pines, and Visitor Center were very nice. They were educational, well maintained, full of artifacts, and the center had a small gift shop with good merchandise. It's definitely a place I will visit again.

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    12 years ago

    Always a lovely time. Any time of year, it smells so good and is so peaceful to walk amongst the pines.

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    Kneff Lake Campground

    Kneff Lake Campground

    4.0(2 reviews)
    8.1 mi

    I kind of randomly picked this campsite, I was headed somewhere else when I saw the sign and…read moredecided to take a chance. It really paid off. The campground was clean, the spaces are not cramped together and more than a few have lake views. There is running water, pit toilets, and steps down to the lake, and each campsite has a picnic table, fire ring, and parking spot. A few are against the forest, some are in the middle of the site, and the others kind of by the lake (these were my favorite, nothing like waking up in the morning and looking out on a clear blue body of water). Overall I was very happy with this campground, it seemed underused, which was kind of surprising given the beauty and quietude of the area. My only complain was that it had a lot of yellow jackets that wanted to eat my lunch more than I did. Bring spray or something, you're probably going to want it. Or maybe it was just my site, who knows. You can fish in the lake, it's stocked with trout. The water also seemed very clean, I almost went for a swim (it wasn't that cold either). There is also a day-use area, so you can just picnic or fish if you feel like it. To get here you have to drive down S Stephan Bridge Rd and will then take a left - keep your eyes peeled for the sign. There is also a sign on MI-72 which will point you in the right direction.

    As long as you know how to swim, it's a great lake.not much shallow. Long set of steps.read more

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    Kneff Lake Campground

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    Manistee River Bridge State Forest Campground - A more wooded, shadier site.

    Manistee River Bridge State Forest Campground

    3.0(1 review)
    6.6 mi

    This is large as state forest campgrounds go, consisting of four loops with about half a dozen…read moresites each. Most of the sites are fairly open, so shade during the heat of the day can be hard to come by. Generally sites are level. Many sites overlook the river, and since the campground is on the river, it's a good option for canoe campers. Water from the hand pump is a bit rustier in appearance than what you see in most state forest campgrounds, though it tastes fine. One advantage of this campground is its central location. If you'll be visiting different places around the Grayling area (say, fishing the Au Sable as well as the Manistee river), this is a better jumping off point than the campgrounds located further up or downstream on the Manistee. It's only seven miles back to Grayling, so a grocery or ice run doesn't have to take a sizeable chunk out of your morning or afternoon. That said, this convenience comes at a price. If you're looking for a quiet getaway, this is not the place. M72 stays busy much of the day and night, so traffic noise will be a constant. There's a large, busy canoe livery directly across the river, which can get very loud when the canoeists arrive back (often a bit intoxicated) from their floats. Even so, I still make it here once or twice a year. The location plus good fishing nearby make the inconveniences tolerable.

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    Manistee River Bridge State Forest Campground - Stairs to the river.

    Stairs to the river.

    Manistee River Bridge State Forest Campground - An open site, typical of most here.

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    An open site, typical of most here.

    Hartwick Pines State Park - campgrounds - Updated July 2026

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