Tippy Dam Recreation Area — Attraction in Dickson Township

One of the things I enjoy most about fishing below the dam is the people I meet in a beautiful location like that. Most of the people who work there are great and a pleasure to deal with and share a laugh with, too, but ultimately, it's the people who are there for the same reasons I was that are the icing on the cake. I met a Massachusetts guy who fishes all over the country and swears that nowhere is the sport fishery better than right there along the Manistee River, and he included Alaska, New Mexico, upstate New York, and even Colorado. That's high praise from someone who regularly fishes them all. A word of caution: During the Chinook/Coho run, it's a very popular place during the weekend, and becomes nearly shoulder to shoulder by 10pm Friday night on both sides of the river. But, it's a big river and you'll find your place along it, or in it, if that's what you went there for. And by the way, some of the Chinook are absolutely huge, and 40 inchers aren't uncommon. They're all natural- spawned too, because the state stopped stocking that river several years ago. I brought home about 20lbs of filets after fishing Monday night to Friday night, and I lost a couple when somebody tried netting them for me. And believe me, I'm no expert fisherman either, so I question the reports of lower numbers of fish and are irrelevant as far as I'm concerned. And finally, if you want an expert to filet your catch, there are numerous locations available to serve you for $5/fish. Memories of a lifetime are just a waiting to be had by you and yours, all the way from the dam to the end of the river on a pier jutting out into spectacular sunsets on Lake Michigan, in Manistee. For me, and many others, the sounds, smells, and feel of moving water, giant fish belly smackers, and fresh air has a marvelous way of clearing away built up stress, and eventually changes my perspective on life in a extremely healthy and happy way. It's definitely a huge upgrade in the quality of your life! BTW, there is a boat launch on the north side of the river and more than several trailer...

This visit was June 14-16, 2024. Overall it's a good place to go for a quick weekend getaway.

Positives: This is a basic campground. A short, well kept dirt road to the campground. Pretty decent sized spots. Well marked. It's a smaller campground so there's not a lot of traffic. There are two hand pumps for water.

Negatives: 4 vault toilets that were a vault toilet. They were not cleaned very well. Seemed like they were stocked often with tp. Not the owners fault but apparently some people need to learn to aim in the toilet. I would not use it as a dressing area.

Side notes: at the end of the campground there is stairs leading down to a small dock. There was no beach access(assuming the water levels were higher than usual). Because there was only the one small access point to the water there were people constantly on it. If you go here be willing to share the dock.

Very close by to the camp there is a fishing deck. You aren't able to get into the water from there but that does help if you want to fish away from swimmers.

Firewood: down dilling road there is a bunch of options to buy bundles (with cash). There's one with a yellow sign and they have their wood well covered and more wood in there bundles than most others. $4 a bundle for dry wood is well worth it.

Check in is not at the campsite. It's down the main road before you turn on the dirt road. There's a little dnr hutch you can check in there and get a park car pass if you want/need one.

It is a dog friendly site. Keep the pooches on...

Yes there are salmon here and people do catch fish but trying to fish here can be a joke and at times, intimidating. Some people seem to be drunk, rude and unruly. Especially not very kid friendly. Most times are so overcrowded making fishing near impossible.

Doesn't seem to be any governmental patrol of order, maintenance or regulation.

I was extremely surprised with the amounts of litter that had been thrown about consisting of old fishing line, plastics and garbage.

And with the costs of expensive nearby hotels, fishing license and one's time makes for a waste of a valuable vacation.

Would highly recommend to research and find some other place to enjoy any free...