Exploring the BEST Campsites on Tippy Dam Pond Along the Big Manistee River in Michigan

Join the Colonel and I for some fun on the water and plenty of good eats at our beautiful campsite right on the water in Tippy Dam Pond, part of the Big Manistee River.
I used my Dream Hammock Raven on this trip with a Hammock Gear Dyneema Tarp and Costco quilts and Colonel used his REI Camp Dome 2. We also put up a Hennessy rain fly to protect us from the rain near the campfire.
Other places we visited along the way were Ionia State Nature Preserve, and the Red Bridge on Coates Highway near the beginning of the Manistee River Trail and a section of the North Country Trail.

[@dmitritelvanni4068]

Been going there since i was a kid. My favorite place to camp. You can't beat the views. And even in the late summer the bass have treated us well lakeside. We always go to the campground right by the boat launch on the other side of the pond tho, never been to that side.

[@jasonwish-]

That is definitely one of our favorite places and we were just talking about it the other day we might try to head up there for a two nighter after the Fourth of July. One of the best places in all of Michigan!

[@dmitritelvanni4068]

@@jasonwish- i bet it's packed then isn't it lol. We go up second week of August. A sort of father son group. It's not as big of a group as it was a decade ago tho. But soon I'll be bringing my own up. Gotta love that it's a short drive to great beaches in Frankfurt. Kaleva is a such a nice town too. I'd live there if i could work there lol. Be a great way to practice Finnish just reading the street signs.

[@axendoJH]

Just moved, live between Hodenpyle and Tippy, was looking to camp there and found ya, looks awesome!

[@jasonwish-]

It's such and awesome place, enjoy!

[@outdoors-with-Den]

This video got me so fired up I ended up going there all last week on my solar boat I built, and some of the sites are still marked no camping, thanks again for the great videos!

[@jasonwish-]

Glad you finally made it to Tippy! We were actually thinking about going up again soon but now I think we’re gonna go to cook damn pond over by Lumbermans monument on the Au Sable River instead…more legal camping options 😁

[@outdoors-with-Den]

@jasonwish- We went over there, and we actually made reservations online for our camp site, that was nice not having to worry about looking for a site at the end of the day. That was back in the day with my solo canoe.

[@kinziedurango]

The Colonel in the background when Jason was taking about how terrible the mosquitos are that is a priceless shot!!!!😂🤣😂😆

[@jasonwish-]

Absolutely!!

[@kinziedurango]

😂🤣

[@campgrl1]

We have an Ozark Trail cooler from Walmart. Been using it for 3 years now and it's the best cooler I ever bought! Like it so much we bought a 2nd one. Keeps ice in upper 80 degrees for 3-4 days. Bear safe! Has a drain, a basket and a gasket in the lid! Paid $144 for a 52 quart. You won't be disappointed! The lifetime coolers look to be comparable but I can't vouch because I have not used them. They are a little less expensive at $107 for a 55 qt. No gasket tho 🤷

[@jasonwish-]

These sound like some great options, we will certainly check them out, thanks Trina!

[@northwest27]

Supposedly Yeti builds those coolers for Wal-Mart and are sold under the Ozark trail name brand. I own one and they are excellent in quality and design.

[@markhall3263]

My Ozark trail hard sided cooler is as good as my Yeti small hard sided. Solid latches. Good drain. Built like a tank. Go for any Ozark hard cooler. For kayak camping we went through 2 sift sided Ozarks quickly before we gave up due to zipper failures on both after minimal use. Since then I have tried several RTICs and 2 Yetis. buy used on marketplace and sell the ones I don't like or once found q color my wife liked better for hers so sold the other one. The Yeti's soft sided are built incredibly well. Feels like you couldn't break it. RTICS are similar to the Ozarks except they seem to have been smarter about the zipper. I have one that zips a little strange but still zips up. Just has a few teeth that don't grav but does ok. I live my YETI but would have never paid 300 new. Used for 150 was 100% a great investment. It keeps ice long and I don't have to baby it. The YETI is more like a canvas type bag feel and is not so blocky or rubbery plastic feeling like the RTIC but the RTIC is a well made cheap version of a Yeti. I know this is a necropost at this point but thought for anyone who reads this might prove helpful.

[@medlensoutdoors]

Wow 2 years to late for this one. But looks like a bist trip Camping trip for me and grandson

[@jasonwish-]

One of the most beautiful places I have seen in Michigans lower peninsula. Thanks for watching!

[@cgriggsiv]

By the way that so-called butter that you just sprayed on your corn is one proton away from the container that it's in

[@jasonwish-]

That’s for sure, lol!

[@WhiteAngloSaxon]

Glad you enjoyed the flat, stationary earth!

[@petercampbell3579]

High and dry is always better, that low spot looked moist and full of skeeters.

[@jasonwish-]

You got that right!

[@kimlittleton4943]

Block ice is better. Putting food in a snap tight container and sitting it on block ice. We use the Sterlite containers that have the rubber rings in them. Tall ones are nice so as ice starts to melt the water still will not get in the food.

[@jasonwish-]

Great suggestions, thanks Kim!

[@ronfox5519]

For sure block ice is better. That's what they used before electricity. Mom used to wrap the block in wax paper. Another good option is dry ice. Just have to be careful because it will freeze your food solid.

[@biglakepress5788]

Is that boat an early 70's starcraft 14ft? Looks like it. We had that exact boat when I was a kid. My dad had a 25 Johnson on it. Loved that boat.

[@jasonwish-]

Yes it is! We’ve had a lot of fun adventures in that little boat!

[@Steve-ji9rj]

Love your videos Jason….even for a couple of Ohio boys heading north. 🤪. Been on the Manistee many times….never been in Tippy Dam pond though. Never knew it had such great camping. Keep the videos coming pal….need more with the colonel in them! Lol. ✌️

[@jasonwish-]

Thaks Steve! We love Michigan lakes and rivers, in fact I just did the Little Manistee on Oct 1, all 50 miles from Old Grade Campground to Lake Michigan, it was fantasitc. Part 2 comes out Sunday.

[@angelinawilliamson6841]

Tippy pond looks grand

[@jasonwish-]

The boat in only sites are the best! Hard to get them on a nice weekend.

[@JasonOutdoors]

I had an igloo marine cooler for my boat and it could go all day with very little melting. Longest I've gotten was 3 days before it was fully melted.

[@jasonwish-]

Dang, thats pretty good...I will tell the Colonel!

[@jamesosborne5950]

Every time I get a notification I just smile because I know its going to be epic with you and the colonel

[@jasonwish-]

I smiled because you smiled 😁

[@JourneyontheTrail]

Great trip man! Sometimes you just need a different kind of relaxation trip. Thanks for sharing!

[@jasonwish-]

It sure was a great trip, just never long enough, lol, thanks AJ!

[@joelcarminati7822]

Great video Jason and colonel.

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks Joel! Glad you enjoyed it! I wish we were able to put out more content for supporters like you!

[@joelcarminati7822]

All good. You guys are busy. Can’t wait till your big trip this fall!!

[@outdoors-with-Den]

Just the info I was looking for, thanks!. Now I really want to go there this year with my homemade solar barrel boat, the campsites look great but I'm gonna try staying on the boat and that's the kind of lake I'm looking for.

[@jasonwish-]

That sounds pretty cool! It’s an awesome place, I can’t wait to go back!

[@thunderdownunderfishing6378]

thank you! I am heading up blind outside of your videos and google earth to camp for a week on the pond the first week of september!

[@jasonwish-]

Sounds exciting, glad my videos were helpful! I’m sure you’ll have a great time on Tippy!

[@thunderdownunderfishing6378]

@@jasonwish- did you ever figure out why they marked no camping on those sites?

[@jasonwish-]

Yes, some is tribal land and some is privately owned by a power company.

[@jasonwish-]

But when I kayaked through there last year I saw people camping on many of them and there are signs of camping on each one of them, but I’m pretty sure it is not legal camping.

[@Smokeybeesnatural]

Arguing over campsites 🤣 Never been there! 🤣

[@jasonwish-]

😂😂...you and Sam on the ST?

[@Smokeybeesnatural]

@@jasonwish- and all 3 of us on the PMT! 🤣🤣🤣

[@jasonwish-]

Oh that’s right I completely forgot about that!

[@GrittingEagle]

You guys are great to watch.

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks James, glad you enjoyed the video! We both wish we had more time to get away on more adventures.

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Great video, Jason!! It definitely seemed like a relaxing trip, other than having to dodge the storms. You got some awesome drone footage. And that sweet corn looked like it was to die for! Makes me want to go back to Michigan!

[@jasonwish-]

Sooo relaxing, but now ready to go crush some miles with you! Thanks Sam!

[@dabeev]

I'm so glad you made this. I take a trip up every year and was itching for some content. Love this place! There's not many places out there where you can camp on a lake with untouched lakefront.

[@jasonwish-]

This was an awesome trip and can't wait to go back there! We also really like Cooke Dam Pond where Lumberman's Monument is on the Ausable River...some really great lakeside camping! Glad you liked the video, thanks!

[@dabeev]

@@jasonwish- Cooke Dam is the sister dam to tippy! Also a great place, as is the Ausable right there.

[@dabeev]

@@jasonwish- Here we are again, a year later and here I am watching the video again getting pumped for Tippy. Best video of Tippy that exists on KZbin.

[@susandevinney5867]

Everything in its own ziploc bag. Freeze items before the trip if you can.

[@DMSAdventures]

Great adventure Mr. Wish!! Man those eats looked amazing! Luckily it's lunchtime!! Tell the colonel that we use an Orca. Still a bit expensive but cheaper than a yeti and about a effective.

[@jasonwish-]

We will check out the Orca, thanks!

[@mackjenkins7721]

Man I can see that was an awesome trip beside mother nature trying to spoil it for you. Those were some nice campgrounds you were staying at. I don't blame you for packing up and leaving the campsite early. Being in the woods in a severe thunderstorm can be very dangerous and your life is more important. I'm glad you & the colonel was safe. Great videos can't wait for the next one.

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks Mack, I appreciate that!

[@66bigbuds]

When doing this kind of camping here in northern Michigan, I bring my bear canister. The bear trouble isn't bad but the raccoons are terrible. I don't use ice. I use frozen bottled water. Then the water is contained, and usable.

[@jasonwish-]

Thats a great idea about the water bottles...

[@cgriggsiv]

As always excellent video And Jason with over 130 trees dripping pitch I really do hope that you guys didn't strip the bark off that Birch And I think you picked a good campsite yes a little on the win side but perfect keeps the mosquitoes at Bay

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks CG! I’ve never used birch bark stripped from a tree before.

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

I would expect at least a double gainer next time you hit a rope swing dude! This looked relaxing as all hell for the most part!

[@jasonwish-]

Next time the right rope swing comes along I will attempt one just for you, but more importantly we need to get the Colonel on one! Thanks Tim!

[@Mattkat0410]

stumbled across your channel because I do a yearly kayak float down the au sable river with my brother in law and his crew, typically about 60 miles so 3 nights usually. love your content so far! i'm shocked you don't have a larger following, and i mean that in a geniune way, not as an insult. you structure your videos well, your editing is nice, and the trips are fun! great personality for being on camera too, both you and the colonel. keep makin content! P.S. i wish you would expand a little bit more on the gear you are running as well as the set up/tear down process, i'm always looking for ways to tweak my kit

[@jasonwish-]

Love the Ausable River...and yes, I have learned how to say it right, lol! Glad you have enjoyed my videos! I will try to include more about my gear in the future. I usually record much more than what actually makes the final vid and if I included everything the videos would be hours long...its a juggling act sometimes. Maybe I could do a follow up vid after my trip videos to discuss gear, logistics, ect.

[@ph00n0]

nice video! I live in Macomb and this makes me want to do a trip like you guys did! As for the cooler, you can try drilling holes in all the humps on the bottom side of the lid and fill them with spray foam and then cover it with a hot glue gun(to waterproof the foam) and paint it white again if desired. I seen it on youtube and you can basically make your cooler a yeti by doing this. They just have a really well insulated lid.

[@jasonwish-]

Man that sounds like a lot of work, but thanks for the suggestions! It's a great way to relax and explore!

[@niteowlsully2266]

what i would like to know is, did you have to purchase permits to camp and where to park that your vehicle won't get broke into

[@jasonwish-]

No permits needed where we stayed, however, some of them do require a registration and fee but I think those have camper access as well. We parked at the Tippy Dam Pond Boat Ramp and had no issues.

[@dbharby832]

Igloo is the way to go with affordable coolers.

[@jasonwish-]

That's two votes for igloo! Thanks!

[@bryonleche3627]

You started eating the corn at the wrong end

[@jasonwish-]

Au contraire, it’s like reading a book left to right starting at the tip, ha ha, just like people who fold their trifold wallet the wrong way, and put it in wrong pocket. Lol.

[@texashikeaholicsadventures5651]

Ice mule cooler.

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks, we will check that out for sure!

[@cgriggsiv]

Awesome executive decision between you two From what I know of which is very little of the storms in that direction according to the news on July it was extremely bad so you just missed it

[@jasonwish-]

It was the right call!

[@KentuckyWoodsman]

Looked like a grreat trip Jason! Do you have a website that the Wishwell Farms Tshirts can be purchased?

[@jasonwish-]

We have a website but no t-shirts on there....I will work on that this winter. Thanks, Chris!

[@michaelstutzman27]

Nice trip by you and the Colonel! Excellent video as always. Thank you for the time you put in on producing these! Very unrelated random question…did the fastest known time website use your gpx file data from your Sheltowee FKT for their current gpx of the trail?

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks Michael! I’m not sure if they did or not, I would have to check. I just received the new 2021 outragGIS maps for the Sheltowee and there are at least three or four small changes to the trail since I did it so I would not recommend following that GPS track.

[@michaelstutzman27]

@@jasonwish- Thank you Jason! Yep, I have that as a secondary reference and plan on using the current outragGIS maps as my primary.

[@jasonwish-]

I plan on thru hiking it again in late October going NOBO this time.

[@michaelstutzman27]

Oh man! Please tell me you’re going for another FKT! I have plans for a SOBO supported attempt starting next weekend if things workout.

[@jasonwish-]

I will message you on FB, I think I found you.

[@Meanbean-uj4kp]

It's kinda weird hearing it said as tippy dam pond. I've always heard and said it as the tippy dam backwaters

[@jasonwish-]

I've heard it both ways but I was just going by what it's called online...a lot of dam ponds in Michigan 😉

[@ronfox5519]

Sometimes I wonder if backwater is a michigan term. Seems like everyone else says pond or lake.

[@davidt.3673]

Did Colonel get on a rope swing?

[@jasonwish-]

We are not holding him accountable!

[@baghalman]

Do you have to reserve a campsite or do you just look for one that is unoccupied?

[@jasonwish-]

All the campsites on Tippy are first come first served except at the one developed campground of Government Landing. Red Bridge is also able to be reserved. All sites along the Manistee River are also first come first served.

[@dustintilley4526]

Rtic coolers

[@jasonwish-]

Look like nice coolers, still pretty expensive though unless you’re using it a lot. Thanks.

[@meatwad600]

What boat launch did you guys use?

[@jasonwish-]

Tippy dam pond boat ramp a.k.a. Normans landing

[@meatwad600]

Thanks, my partner and I are are taking the boat up there this weekend for a couple nights. We were up there about a month ago before we got the boat and absolutely fell in love with the place!

[@jasonwish-]

@@meatwad600 have a great time! I can't wait to go back again!

[@angelinawilliamson6841]

Where do u reserve this camp sites ? Thanks

[@jasonwish-]

Here are the two options for booking a campsite around Tippy Pond. The one we were at is just a first come first served campsite that was a boat in only. www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10049020 www.michigan.org/property/tippy-dam-recreation-area

[@ryantowers2313]

Keep in mind in Michigan it is illegal to transport firewood across country lines

[@jasonwish-]

Yep we know. I don’t even remember where that wood came from to be honest, it may have been leftover in the boat from a previous trip.

[@66bigbuds]

The no camping signs are on tribal land, and consumers power land. Up closer to the tippy damn there are some paid spots on private land.

[@jasonwish-]

Interesting, I had no idea. Thanks Keith!

[@PositiveManifestation-Love]

🛶 LOVE FROM SAGINAW MI 🛶

[@tomdeprekel4294]

Bay City here …. Can’t wait to go fishing the “little Manistee” again….

[@PositiveManifestation-Love]

Salmon & Steal Head runs are just about here. 🤙🤙 Maniatee - Betsie - Au Sable 🎣🦈

[@briansterken6269]

They're not lightning rods... it's a Faraday cage

[@jasonwish-]

🤣🤣🤣, I will let the Colonel know

[@camping_with_tywan]

Why doesn't youtube let me know when you have new vids? Boooo.

[@jasonwish-]

Have you clicked the bell notification? It’s right next to the subscribe button.