Vast State and National Forests, thick woodlands, and shores along three of the great lakes makes dispersed camping in Michigan a cant miss experience. Greenleaf Lake was constructed in 1939 and is over 930 acres, with an 18-mile hiking trail that wraps around the lake. For a more relaxed experience, visitors will enjoy the lush forest and breathtaking vistas from the many scenic overlooks along the route. And if thats what youre currently looking for, youre in the right place. Several observation sites along the trail provide hikers with vista views of the Manistee River and surrounding area. Pearl Lake is part of a State Forest and is managed by the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy which you can learn more about here. Hike the stairway down to the wanigan, a loggers floating kitchen, or take the short trail to the dune observation deck. There are only four sites here, all with picnic tables and fire rings. The one that is located on the Lower Peninsula of Michigan Huron-Manistee is actually not contiguous. Its on Michigan state land, thus Michigan state land rules apply. This is dispersed camping in Michigan at its finest! Stay away from the lake, its full of leeches, and make sure to bring plenty of mosquito repellent. However, keep in mind that youre probably going to have a difficult time turning your large rig here. Its on Michigan state land, thus This is because animals usually dig these things up and scatter them throughout the wilderness. If you feel up to it, you can likely get away with camping here, as long as you stay out of the way of logging trucks. Just like in the case of almost all other Upper Peninsula camping areas, you will want to come to this place well-prepared. Elevate your RVing and car-camping and become a boondocker! Our free printable cheat sheet outlines how to find the perfect dispersed campsite for your next trip. Dont fret if you arrive and it is closed, as there are more dispersed campsite available if you continue north along Rayle Road as it winds its way around Pearl Lake. There is a noted issue with gypsy moths here, which are known to cause itching and rash if you come into contact. R. EGISTRATION . The Haymeadow Creek campsite is located deep within Hiawatha National Forest on Michigans Upper Peninsula. There is, however, no room for larger rigs. Use the custom map layers to find public land, download offline maps, and navigate to your perfect dispersed campsite. There are six of them in total and all are supervised by the DNR (Department of Natural Resources for Michigan). Read more about Sulak Campground on FreeRoam. Gaia GPS - Download offline maps for easy navigation! Make sure to also bring plenty of mosquito repellent. (GPS 44.58597, -84.29064) Huron Manistee National Forest This is a free, developed campground for horseback riders, however it is not required to have a horse to camp here. There are only seven campsites here, and they do fill up fast. While the lake itself looks absolutely breathtaking, you should avoid swimming in it its quite murky and somewhat shallow. Two of these, Hiawatha & Ottawa, are located on Michigans Upper Peninsula, while Huron-Manistee is located on the Lower Peninsula. Youll want to plan on bringing all the water youll need and be sure to practice Leave No Trace camping here. To print on 8 1/2 x 11 paper set the print area to "shrink to printable area", this will make the text on the page smaller. How Do I Find Dispersed Camping Areas in Michigan? The river is managed in two sections, one from Mio Pond to Alcona Dam Pond, the second from Alcona Dam to Lake Huron. Store your food and water securely and safely. Now, lets dive in and take a look at our Top 10 Michigan free, dispersed camping areas located across the state. After sixteen (16) days the camp and equipment MUST be moved off of Forest Service System lands. Restrooms:Vault toiletWater:NoCrowds:ModerateMap. Generally speaking dispersed camping is permitted on public land managed by the United States Forest Service in Michigan. The Manistee National Forest is located in western Michigan, while the Huron Forest can be found in the eastern part of the state. Youre advised to arrive early in the day if you want to secure a site. ( on official, secure websites. Our forests are carefully managed to provide a balance between recreation and conservation. They will, however, help you navigate a plethora of Forest Service roads running through Michigans National Forests. Youre also close to the beach here as well as Headlands International Dark Sky Park. For example, you cant camp for more than two weeks during a 1-month period. Michigans National Forests are listed below along with a link to the dispersed camping guidelines for each area: In addition to the the three National Forests in Michigan there are also six State Forests managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources that allow various forms of dispersed camping. Camping, fishing and boating facilities are accessible from the byway. The designated Wilderness area is a protected natural space, an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain. However, that doesnt necessarily mean that there are no rules at all. This map allows you to see state forest boundaries as well as rustic state forest campgrounds and look for areas that permit dispersed camping. To put it simply, you can freely pitch your tent in any of the three National Forests located in this U.S. state (Ill talk more about these below). It is broadly allowed on these lands, expect where it is explicitly prohibited. This river is not navigable for canoeing or boating, however it is an excellent river for cold-water fishing. Map: This brochure is set to print on 8.5x11 paper, landscape (wide) orientation. Official websites use .gov A .gov There are several river access sites, day use areas and campgrounds located along this section of river. The Bowman Lake Trailhead serves as a main entry point onto the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT). The river has many bends and large logs. In addition to USFS land, Michigan also has a network of State Forests that permit dispersed camping. WebOlympic National Forest Dispersed Camping The Olympic Peninsula is an outdoor enthusiasts dream with access to mountains, sea, and the only temperate rainforest in the United States. Dont forget pitching a tent within a 1-mile radius of a rustic state forest campground is not allowed. Maximum of 14 days stay. From Mio Pond to Lake Huron, the Au Sable is primarily managed by the HMNF. There are a number of dispersed fishing access sites along the river, some of which allow camping. The White River is characterized by a primarily sand bottom with deep pockets of water and small sections of gravel bottom. The river is wide and characterized by steep banks and sharp bends, with a swift current and mostly slow, wide bends. It is popular for hiking, primitive and dispersed camping, beach combing, hunting, picnicking, nature study and wildlife viewing, also offering approximately 10-miles of trails accessed from two developed trailheads:Nurnberg RoadandLake Michigan Recreation Area. To print on 8 1/2 x 11 paper set the print area to "shrink to printable area", this will make the text on the page smaller. This is a beautiful area that is maintained by a non-profit, so it is all of our responsibility to ensure it remains open and protected for generations to come. website belongs to an official government organization in the If theres a fire ring at your camping spot, use it. 2. Dispersed camping is generally limited to 14 days within any continuous 30 day period. This campground is buggy, expect lots of mosquitoes, but also plenty of fireflies too. Additionally, the Michigan dispersed camping map below gives an overview of each area with a detailed description following. The fact that it has no restrooms or water access doesnt stop people from coming here, though in fact, the area is often quite busy. These forests are, in my opinion, a collection of genuine hidden gems for campers, and, fortunately, all of them allow various forms of dispersed camping. However, the rules for pitching a tent in these forests are somewhat different than the ones concerning the aforementioned Forest Service lands. Help stop the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer. Click here for additional information on our Wild and Scenic Rivers. In addition, theres a beautiful beach on Lake Michigan and the town of Manistee is only 8 miles away. The US Forest Services manages three National Forests within Michigan. What is more, theres a lot of exploration to be done here. Although the state isnt as well known for its free camping as some of the Western States, youll find far fewer campers in Michigans National and State Forests. Read more about De Cheau Lake on FreeRoam. Share sensitive information only Otherwise, access is very easy for any vehicle. The sites are well spread out, easy to access, and there is tons to do in the surrounding area. Our Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Story has more information on what is being done to protect this special place and how you can help. Enjoy blackberries and blueberries growing in the wild. Looking for more dispersed camping content? The area tends to be densely forested with a mix of hardwoods, red and white pine and aspen. If your campfire will be on National Forest System lands you will not need a wood permit to cut firewood. Wildlife species that commonly inhabit this area include white-tailed deer, bobcat, coyote, red fox, raccoon, porcupine, squirrels, pileated woodpecker, ruffed grouse, wild turkey and various songbirds. Site Number Getting to Whelan Lake can be a little tricky as Google Maps doesnt seem to correctly route campers here. Read more about Bock Road at FreeRoam. Weve created this guide to do just that and in the sections below youll find out where to camp, what to expect, how to navigate the various rules, and much more so you can plan your perfect Michigan dispersed camping trip. Reservation Rules. That means that in Michigan, dispersed camping can generally be found in any of the three national forests (more details on those below) by looking along Forest Service roads or inquiring directly with the Ranger District Office where you plan to camp. In recent years efforts have been made to replace logs in the river to help reduce erosion and maintain the world-class trout fishing river as an aquatic habitat. This will include where you are allowed to pitch your tent and how to find these areas. Visitor recreation activities include camping, fishing, mushroom gathering, bird-watching, hunting, hiking and canoeing. While not technically dispersed camping, McKinley Trail Camp is free and the sites are well spaced giving campers a feeling of solitude. There is a vault toilet at Marzinski Horse Trail Camp, but no water source. Medicine Bow National Forest Camping Limits, Special Order On This is a popular spot to camp for free in the area, so you will want to arrive early if youre looking to secure a site during the peak summer months. For additional information on our Wild and Scenic Rivers. Here are the links to the relevant motor vehicle use maps: The best thing about dispersed camping is undoubtedly the fact that it can be done without things that usually go hand in hand with pitching a tent on a developed campground. on official, secure websites. How Many Solar Panels Do I Need for Boondocking? There is tons to explore in the area including the Au Sable River, Shore to Shore Horse Trail, as well as not being from from Lake Huron itself. There are a plethora of activities to participate in, accessing the zone is as easy as it gets, and its campsites are well spread out. This is a very popular campground, and you should plan to arrive mid-week in the afternoon if you want to find availability. Dispersed camping is allowed within the Gila National Forest, but you must be within 300 feet of forestry roads and no A short, 7-mile hike along the bluffs of the Au Sable River will provide day hikers with some of the best, and most dramatic, views of the Au Sable River, where hikers or skiers will be able to look over the river valley, with clear views almost to Lake Huron in some spots. (285) Major Cell Coverage Issues. (GPS 46.288597, -86.698681) Hiawatha National Forest This is a free campground located on the banks of Hovey Lake. You can either contact the Ranger District Office responsible for the area youre planning to spend time in and inquire with them directly or simply find a nice camping spot on your own by driving along the Forest Service roads in these zones. Use only plain water and biodegradable soap. At Greenleaf Lake State Park, there are 158 campsites. Heres a list of National Forests in Michigan, together with links to guidelines regarding dispersed camping in each of these forests: Besides the National Forests mentioned above, Michigan also has State Forests. It parallels the historic Riviere aux Sable (River of Sand). WebDispersed Camping Dispersed foot traffic and primitive tent camping within the Forests is allowed almost anywhere, unless otherwise posted closed and/or "No Camping". WebThe 10 Best Dispersed Camping Areas in Michigan Nordhouse Dunes Green Road Dispersed Camping Hovey Lake Dispersed Campground Marzinski Horse Trail Camp French Farm Lake Haymeadow Creek Lake Perrault Dispersed Campground McKinley Dispersed foot traffic and primitive tent camping within the Forests is allowed almost anywhere, unless otherwise posted closed and/or "No Camping". Looking to find more dispersed campsites? Restrooms:NoWater:NoCrowds:ModerateMap. The dispersed sites along Green Road vary from simple pull outs on the side of the road, to larger areas that feel a bit more secluded. Click here for more information on our Wild and Scenic Rivers. Brochure with map: This brochure is set to print on 11 x 17 paper, landscape (wide) orientation. (GPS 46.57029, -88.65596) Ottawa National Forest This is a small campground, completely free to stay. Although these dont specifically show where dispersed camping is permitted, they do give you a good sense of the various forest service roads in the area and can be cross referenced with Google Maps and camping apps to find dispersed campsites. Visit www.byways.org for more information. Never knew there were so many places like that to camp. Besides these USFS-managed lands, there is also a network of State Forests in Michigan, and dispersed camping is allowed in these as well. President Ronald Reagan signed the law establishing the segment of river as a National Scenic River on October 4, 1984. You can download the camp registration card on this website. The Hovey Lake Dispersed Campground is located in Hiawatha National Forest on Michigans Upper Peninsula. Not the case. 2 The Best Areas for Dispersed Camping in Michigan 2.1 Hovey Lake Dispersed Campground 2.2 Green Road / Nordhouse Dunes 2.3 French Farm Lake 2.4 Speaking generally, those who know how to read USFS maps, have some experience in navigating woodland roads, as well as the gut feeling of knowing where to look should have no trouble with finding a myriad of dispersed campsites in the Great Lake State. All three sites are smallish suitable for small to medium sized RVs. For information on the NCNST visit the National Park Servicewww.nps.gov/noco/index.htm. There are only two sites on the lake front, with a third site back in the woods. To get to it, youll need to drive on a sandy two-track road that can be challenging if its wet. These State Forests are located throughout Michigan, and are a true hidden gem for campers. Here I have to mention one particularly amazing (and official) resource for finding great camping spots in the State Forests of Michigan. Youll want to arrive mid-week, in the late morning or early afternoon to find an open site, otherwise you may be out of luck. This is a simple form to fill out, but you must do so in advance and print out to post at your campsite. You can access the Camp Registration Card here. (GPS 43.92460, -86.01289) Huron Manistee National Forest Located along the south side of the Pere Marquette River, this is a small campground with 12 campsites, all free for 14 days of stay. Diverse vegetation contributes to the overall "scenic" feel of the river. Its also popular campground for RVers and van dwellers. This area contains all recreation sites located near the Corsair Area, located south of the AuSable River and River Road NationalScenic River in the southeast corner of the Huron National Forest. A 23-mile loop trail is formed with the Manistee River Trail along the Manistee River. A 4WD vehicle is required, or at least wood boards or tracks to help you get unstuck. 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