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Dispersed Camping

Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness - Green Road

15 Reviews

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Location

Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness - Green Road is located in Michigan

Coordinates

44.11010172165126 N
86.40076307075225 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Unknown
Verizon
Unknown
AT&T
Unknown
T-Mobile
Unknown

Site Types

Dispersed

Features

For Campers

Phone Service
Electric Hookups
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Pull-Through Sites
Big Rig Friendly

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.

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Corey M.

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 24, 2022

For Forest Dwellers and Lake Lovers

This is our #1 boondocking area in Michigan (so far). This place is a hidden gem. Forest service roads will take you deep into the forests if your vehicle can handle it. 4WD is recommended if you want to go deep. There are plenty of great spots though for big rigs or for those without 4WD. 15-30 minute drive to Lake Michigan. Local convenience store is only a few miles down the road. Try this place out. You won’t regret it.

Month of VisitJuly

Alyson M.

Legend

Reviewed Jul. 20, 2022

My Go-To Camping spot

I’ve camped here many times, in summer, fall, and spring. The campsites are large and spread out so you get a bit of privacy. It can get busy on weekends since many people know about this spot. It is a short drive to the beach and nordhouse dunes which is known for hammock camping on the beach so you have options. The last 2 times I’ve went there was lots of trash at the campsites, which is very upsetting. Please follow “Leave No Trace” ethics so we can keep enjoying this space.

(6) View All

Jeff D.

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 5, 2022

The dunes were amazing!

Next time I'm coming back to hammock camp. Place is awesome. Not much bugs.

Month of VisitJuly

Connor N.

Ranger

Reviewed Dec. 9, 2021

Nice boondocking spot with access to Lake Michigan!

Spent a few nights here enjoying Manistee National Forest and Lake Michigan. During our stay we relocated from our original site to a bigger site further down the road heading south. Sites ranged from spacious to road-side turnouts with a wide range between. Verizon service was fair. Road access was fair as well but better suited for smaller rigs due to tight roads and numerous curves. Will definitely stay again next time we visit Michigan!

SiteSites not numbered

Month of VisitSeptember

(9) View All

evi L.

Traveler

Reviewed Sep. 3, 2021

Dispersed campsites

Beautiful area with a lot of dispersed campsites, accessible by pretty much any vehicle, although the road is a bit sandy, so maybe take precautions after rain. Large sites, some with more privacy than others, and plenty of ideal hammocking trees. Also, there's a few more sites if you take the road (right side on main rd) across the street from the entrance into this area. I had no problem finding firewood around the area, but there's a general store less than 10 minutes away that sells firewood and basic necessities, cash only during my visit on 03SEP2021 (beer, schnacks, etc.) No toilets or glamping amenities.

Month of VisitOctober

Drew M.

Scout

Reviewed Aug. 11, 2021

Quite

A relaxing getaway from the bustling city...

Month of VisitAugust

Cameron

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 4, 2021

Awesome spaced out large sites

Easy access, and the sites are about 50 to 200ft from each other! I love the pine tree+fern forrest. Super sandy area, but it’s nice to walk around barefoot. Haven’t seen any thorn bushes while collecting firewood. There’s no toilets or water so bring a few gallons and be prepared to poop in a hole.

Siteno site numbers

Month of VisitSeptember

(7) View All

Darwin N.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 25, 2021

NF dispersed camping

First time boondocking in a national forest. Had a big sight all to myself. Spent some time cleaning up from the previous individual who didn't understand the phrase "Leave No Trace". Other than that I had a great time.

Sitedispersed

Month of VisitJuly

Kimberly S.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 22, 2021

First time dispersed camping

This was our first time trying out dispersed camping and this location was perfect! We loved being a short drive away from Lake Michigan and plenty of hiking trails. It is in a beautiful wooded area and there were hardly an mosquitos where we were. My only complaint is that the previous visitors at our campsite left trash everywhere and had clearly had fires in at least 4 different areas. The campsite was covered in ash because of it. It’s disappointing to see that some people really just don’t care about taking care of public land.

Month of VisitJuly

(5) View All

Marino

Traveler

Reviewed May. 22, 2021

Nice Spot...Easy Access

Sites are nice and easy to access... no issues with the road coming in... the dispersed camping is free but if you drive and park in the lots for the dunes/beach access it requires a pass or 5$ a day fee

Month of VisitJune

Bobbi Jo K.

Traveler

Reviewed Oct. 13, 2020

A Hidden Gem

This was our first time boondocking in this area. It was beautiful, especially in the fall. Roads are great until you get to the road to camp. There are very large holes and dips, thankfully we found a spot right away before we got in far. Had a 19 foot trailer with high clearance (only trailer brave enough to camp here!). Very peaceful off the grid camping. Even had cell service!

(5) View All

Courtney K.

Scout

Reviewed Oct. 10, 2020

Beautiful & free rustic camping spots!

All up and down green Rd. there’s a ton of quiet pull offs, some with fire pits some without. We don’t have 4wd and it was fine (we went in October). And if it’s not what you’re looking for there’s also a more traditional campsite, $27 per night right up the road with facilities. The free spots were perfect for us tho!

Deanna A.

Traveler

Reviewed Sep. 3, 2020

We love it here!

We vowed to return in a month and driving there now for a long Labor Day weekend. Quiet, though our site was adjacent to a trailhead. The forest is stunning and mesmerizing! 5 min hike to dunes/beach. Never want to camp at a campground again.

(5) View All

Kate K.

Legend

Reviewed Jul. 20, 2020

Best Dispersed Camping Around!

Years ago I used to hike out to Nordhouse Dunes from the Nurnberg trailhead and it was amazing. That has since been ruined now that the site has become overrun & overcrowded with people carrying too much stuff, leaving too much garbage, and taking too much of the beautiful scenery for granted. Now when I go, I camp here and hike to the surrounding areas without having to listen to drunken ramblings of 9 other groups directly next to us. The last time we camped we didn’t see another person all weekend. That is my kind of escape! Highly recommended if you’re up for adventure, have 4 wheel drive, and are looking to escape the masses.

(7) View All

Andrew G.

Ranger

Reviewed Jan. 28, 2020

Free rustic camping near Lake Michigan

There are plenty of really rustic pull-offs north and south of those coordinates on Green Rd. There are actually quite a few that are harder to find or even get a vehicle to without 4WD, but most of it is easily accessible in a 2WD vehicle. There are a LOT of ORVers so be prepared for people zooming up and down the road with super loud engines. Other than that, free is free.

Month of VisitJune

(11) View All