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Frequently asked questions
Are you open year round?
No, we are not open year round. We typically open in early April and close in late November.
Do you have a lake, pond, pool, or hot tub at the campground?
No, we don't have a body of water or a pool at the campground. There are some great places to swim not too far from us. Crystal Lake in Wellston (5 minute drive0 is a small lake that has a sand beach, dock, and township park. It's a great place to take kids.
Do you sell ice and firewood? What else is in your campstore?
We sell both ice and firewood at our campstore, which is also where you check-in. We have 7lb bags of ice that we sell for $2/bag. We have split hardwood (unbundled) that we sell for $5 for 1 cubic foot (~8-10 pieces) or a trailer load (10 cubic feet) for $45 that we will deliver to your site.
Do you sell propane?
We sell 16 oz portable propane cylinders in our campstore, but we do not fill propane tanks or have a propane exchange. The closest propane exchange is at the Corner Express (intersection of M-55 & M-37), about 5 miles east of the campground.
Are dogs allowed?
Yes, we allow dogs! All dogs must be on a leash or otherwise constrained when they are outside your trailer or vehicle. Many other guests have dogs, and some are protective. We also require owners to pick up after their dogs.
What are your bathrooms like? Do you have hot showers & flush toilets?
Yes, we have hot showers and indoor flush toilets. Our Lodge building has a women's and a men's bathroom. Each bathroom has three shower stall, three toilet stalls, and three sinks. We do our best to keep bathrooms clean- we clean them 2-3 times a day during our busy season.
Do you have activities for kids?
We have a playground with forts, swings, tetherball, and a sandbox. We also have a sand volleyball court, badminton court, and horseshoe pits. During Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day holidays we have a whole weekend of planned kid's activities. These often include a bike parade, pinata, craft time, face painting, sack races, and scavenger hunts.
What amenities do you have?
We have a playground, tetherball, horseshoe pits, sand volleyball court, grass badminton court, frisbee golf baskets, dog run, pool table, book exchange, fish cleaning station, coin-operated washer & dryer, indoor dish washing sink, and free wifi in the Lodge & front of park.
How many cabins do you have?
We have two cabins and a bunkhouse that are all located in an old, converted barn. The cabins each have two queen beds, a kitchen, a small bathroom, satellite TV, heat, air conditioning, and an outdoor area with chairs, picnic table, charcoal grill, and a fire pit.
Do you charge a deposit when I make a reservation? What's your cancellation policy?
No, we do not collect deposits when making reservations. The full amount is due upon your arrival at the campground (we take cash & credit/debit cards). We do take a credit card number as a hold when you make a reservation.
What is at each campsite?
Each individual campsite has a wooden picnic table and a 24" fire ring. Our group sites have 2-3 picnic tables and a 36" fire ring.
Do you have a storage area?
Yes, we have an open, grassy field in the back of the campground that is used as RV and/or boat storage for our guests. It is an uncovered area. The rate is $2/day.
Do you all ATV's/ORV's at the campground? Are there trails nearby?
Yes, we allow our guests to drive ATV's in and out of our campground (please no joy-riding on campground roads). There is not a designated trail system in our area, but you can ride on all county-maintained roads, some of which are great two-tracks. We have maps and our ATV policy available at our office or by request.
How long has Twin Oaks been a campground?
Twin Oaks has been a campground in the same location since the 1970's. Before that, we've been able to piece together that the property was a children's summer camp (1960's), a retreat for Catholic nuns (1940's), and a bird dog training center (1920's).
Do I need to make reservations or can I just show up?
Reservation are highly recommened, but we do welcome drop-ins. If you're planning to drop in and you're reading this, it's best to give us a call the day of, just so we know when to expect you.
What are your hours?
During the months we are open (mid-April-late November), our campstore/office is generally open from 9am-6pm Monday-Thursday, 8am-9pm Friday-Saturday, and 8am-6pm on Sunday. These hour change depending on the season, with more limited hours in the spring & fall, and extended hours in the summer. We will ocasionally close the store on a slow weekday, so we can have some time off!
Do you have a security guard?
We have a security guard on duty Friday & Saturday nights from 11pm-2am. His job is to monitor the entire campground to enforce quiet hours and ensure the safety of all our guests. We also have security some Thursday and Sunday nights, or any night we have a nearly full campground.
How many people can I have on a site/ Can I have people not staying her come visit me at my site?
You can have up to 4 adults and unlimited kids (ages 0-14) on a site at the base rate. You can have a maximum of 6 adults on a site, with the 5th and 6th person costing an extra $5/person/night.
How many 50-Amp sites do you have?
We have just one 50-Amp site. It is Site 49, and it is a large full hookup site.
How many of your sites are pull-throughs?
We have one 30-Amp Full Hookup pull through (Site 5), one 30-Amp Electric & Water pull through (Site 33), and four 30-Amp Electric pull-throughs (Sites 29, 31, 32 & 12).
Do you have concrete pads? Are the roads in your park paved?
No, we do not have concrete pads and none of our roads are paved.
What are the group sites? How much do they cost?
Our group sites are very large sites (the size of 3-5 regular tent sites) meant for groups of between 5-30 campers. We also allow small RV's to park on certain group sites as long as they run off of battery.
When are your quiet hours?
Noise travels at our campground. Because of this, we enforce quiet hours from 11pm-8am. During this time, all music must be turned off and all noise must be kept within your campsite. Be respectful of other campers who may be trying to sleep.
What are the campground rules?
Our main rules are:
Is alcohol allowed in your campground?
Yes, we allow alcohol. We ask that our guests drink responsibly and do not bring alcohol into our public spaces.
What should I do if another camper is disturbing me or if I notice someone breaking the rules?
Contact the Twin Oaks staff or office immediately and we will deal with the situation. You can call our office phone (231-848-4124) any time of day or night. We also frequently check our email (twinoakscg@gmail.com).
Can I bring my own firewood?
Yes, we allow guests to bring their own firewood, as long as it's from a local source. We DO NOT allow guests to burn wood with nails, staples, or metal (so don't bring your old lumber!)
Where can I hike, run, or mountain bike in the area?
There are several recreational trails in the area.
Where exactly are you located and why do people visit your area?
We are located just outside the town of Wellston, in northwest Michigan, about halfway between the towns of Manistee and Cadillac, and about 50 miles south of Traverse City.
Where is the closest place to buy groceries?
The Dublin General Store is our local grocery store, and it has a huge selection of jerky and meat. However, it tragically burned down last fall. It is being rebuilt and is scheduled to open sometime in spring 2020.
Where are the closest restaurants?
The Redneck Yacht Club is the closest restaurant-it's just 2 miles away.
What is there to do in the area?
We are surrounded by the Manistee National Forest, just miles from the Pine River, the Manistee River, Tippy Dam, the North Country Trail, and world-class mountain biking/running trails at Big M.
Where can I rent a boat?
If you're looking for a pontoon boat or a motor boat on Tippy Dam Pond, we recommend Loomis Landing, which is just a mile up the road from us. Be sure to call ahead to reserve. Camp Mana-Pine also rents boats on Tippy Dam Pond.
I want to canoe/kayak/raft the Pine River. What do I need to know?
The Pine is one of the fastest rivers in Michigan, with several sections of swift water. Because of this only kayaks, canoes, and rafts are allowed on the river. Tubes are NOT recommended on this river.
Are there any other good places to paddle in the area?
Yes! The Manistee River is nearby and is an easier and more family friendly river. Tubing, along with all other watercraft, is allowed. The Manistee is not permitted, so less planning is required if you have your own watercraft. The most popular sections of the river to float are Hodenpyl Dam to Red Bridge and Bear Creek to Rainbow Bend.
Do you have a shuttle/canoe spotting service?
No, our campground doesn't have a shuttle. For spotting, contact any of the liveries for more information. There are also some locals who provide this service.
I heard something about an alcohol ban on some rivers. What's going on with that?
In short, responsible alcohol consumption is allowed on all local rivers. In February 2019 the Forest Service declared they were banning alcohol consumption on sections of the Pine, Manistee, and AuSable Rivers in order to better reflect the intent of the National Wild & Scenic River Act. This was met with resistance from the public and local business owners. Within a month, the Forest Service decided to "stay" their ban, allowing alcohol on the rivers for the forseeable future and to focus on education the public instead.