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Bowman Bridge Campground in Michigan
Hard to BookNational Forest

Bowman Bridge Campground

Huron-Manistee National Forest, Huron-Manistee National Forests, Michigan

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As of September 2026, Bowman Bridge Campground is a campground in Huron-Manistee National Forest, Michigan with 11 campsites. Bowman Bridge Campground is booked through Recreation.gov.

  • PermitSnag checks Bowman Bridge Campground for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
  • Bowman Bridge Campground is located at 43.8883° N, 85.9422° W.
people allowed on 5 of 11 sites
8
people allowed on each of the 4 largest sites
20

Bowman Bridge Campground reservations and next available dates

September 2026

open, tap to book on Recreation.govsold outin your alert

Next Available Dates

Oct 4 (11 sites)Oct 5 (11 sites)Oct 6 (11 sites)

11 sites open on Oct 4 at Bowman Bridge Campground. Book one now, or pick your dates above and get an alert when a site opens.

As of 30 September 2026, 11:48 UTC.

Stay and booking rules

  • Reservations close: 4 day(s) prior to arrival
  • Tribal discount available

Published by Recreation.gov for Bowman Bridge Campground, read on September 29, 2026.

Campsites at Bowman Bridge Campground

  • Standard 7
  • Tent 4

What an RV fits

  • 50 ft7 sites

Amenities

  • potable water

At a glance: Setting: Forest · Access: Paved road.

Things to do: fishing, boating, hiking, wildlife, photography.

All sites at Bowman Bridge Campground, as listed by Recreation.gov

Every site is in the BOWMAN BRIDGE loop.

SiteTypeSleepsMax RV
002Standard850 ft
003Standard850 ft
004Standard850 ft
005Standard850 ft
08/09Standard1650 ft
10/11Standard1650 ft
012Standard850 ft
GS1Tent20-
GS2Tent20-
GS3Tent20-
GS4Tent20-

About Bowman Bridge Campground

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.

Rules and notices at Bowman Bridge Campground

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 29, 2026. Check Bowman Bridge Campground on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

From the Friday of Memorial Day Weekend to the Monday of Labor Day Weekend, a special watercraft permit is required from Forks Landing to Indian Bridge Landing

This campground has first-come, first-serve sites

Limit 2 vehicles or 1 RV per campsite; A fee will be charged for additional vehicles

Site capacities are: 2 vehicles, 2 camping units, only one can be wheeled (e.g., two tents or a camper and a tent) All tires need to fit on the spurs!

Limit 8 people per campsite

Group sites are tent camping only

Don't move firewood: To limit the spread of invasive tree-killing pests, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Some states have quarantines and may confiscate your firewood. Please help protect our forests from invasive species by obtaining your firewood at or near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Visit dontmovefirewood.org for more information.

Any accepted senior passes must be entered for the discount at the time of booking for single sites only.

Click here to learn more about Huron-Manistee National Forests

Check in time is 2:00pm and Check out time is 11:00am

It is imperative that you are clear from the site at 11:00am on your check out day so the host can come prepare the site for the next event. Please don't be the group that makes the incoming group have to wait.

Customer Service Contact 801-226-3564 or Help.Huron.Manistee@AmericanLL.com

Bowman Bridge Campground FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at Bowman Bridge Campground?

Bowman Bridge Campground is rated "Hard to Book" based on historical demand. This campground is popular and often books out weeks in advance. Your best strategy is to monitor cancellations.

How do I find last-minute availability at Bowman Bridge Campground?

Cancellations happen frequently at Bowman Bridge Campground, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.

How many campsites does Bowman Bridge Campground have?

Bowman Bridge Campground has 11 campsites.

More campgrounds in Huron-Manistee National Forest

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