Top Dispersed Camping in Michigan

Best Dispersed Camping Sites in Michigan (51)

1. 

   1.

   Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness - Green Road

   15 Reviews

   59 Photos

   439 Saves

   Free Soil, Michigan

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • Electric Hookups
   • Phone Service
   • Dispersed
   • Alcohol
2. 

   2.

   Huron-Manistee National Forest

   9 Reviews

   35 Photos

   145 Saves

   Brethren, Michigan

   Lying between the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron in the northern half of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, the nearly one-million-acre Huron-Manistee National Forests are located in a transition zone between forested lands to the north and agricultural lands to the south. The Huron-Manistee National Forests contain rare ecological features, such as dry sand prairie remnants, coastal marshlands, dunes, oak savannahs, fens, bogs and marshes.

   Working hand in hand with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and other partners, the Huron-Manistee National Forests have made great progress in recovering these lands but a great deal of work remains, much of which is being done through partnerships.The Huron-Manistee National Forests provide recreation opportunities for visitors, habitat for fish and wildlife, and resources for local industry.

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • Phone Service
   • Dispersed
   • Trash
   • Picnic Table

   $10 - $14 / night

3. 

   3.

   Sand Lakes Quiet Area Backcountry Campsites

   6 Reviews

   35 Photos

   264 Saves

   Williamsburg, Michigan

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • Phone Service
   • Reservable
   • Tents
   • Group
4. 

   4.

   Manistee River Trail Dispersed Camping

   5 Reviews

   26 Photos

   206 Saves

   Huron-Manistee National Forests, Michigan

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • Dispersed
   • Alcohol
5. 

   5.

   Lake Superior North Shore

   3 Reviews

   18 Photos

   98 Saves

   Paradise, Michigan

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • RVs
   • Tents
   • Group
   • Dispersed
6. 

   6.

   Sand Road Primitive Rustic Camping

   3 Reviews

   3 Photos

   141 Saves

   Whitehall, Michigan

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • Dispersed
   • Firewood Available
   • Alcohol
7. 

   7.

   Lake Perrault

   3 Reviews

   14 Photos

   22 Saves

   Toivola, Michigan

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • Tents
   • Group
   • Dispersed
   • Alcohol
8. 

   8.

   Peninsula Point Lighthouse Access Road - Dispersed

   3 Reviews

   18 Photos

   55 Saves

   Escanaba, Michigan

   Dispersed camping is allowed on Hiawatha National Forest lands except developed recreation and administrative sites, campgrounds and designated campsites. The following restrictions apply:

   Your stay is limited to 16 days. After this period, your camping equipment and all persons must move to another site at least one mile away, for an additional stay, not to exceed 16 days. Do not block any roads or restrict access to National Forest lands by others. Follow “Leave No Trace” principles (See https://lnt.org/why/7-principles) so that public lands will remain clean and attractive for others to enjoy. Camping in areas posted closed is prohibited. Camping within fifty (50) feet of a body of water is prohibited, unless otherwise posted. (Exceptions include Grand Island National Recreation Area (100 feet from water, cliff edge, private property, trails, other campsites, special use recreation residences or recreation developments) and Big Island Lake Wilderness (200 feet from water). Do not camp at boat launches. Permits are required for these sites: Bass Lake, Bear Lake, Camp Cook, Carr Lake, Chicago Lake, Cookson Lake, Council Lake, Crooked Lake, East Lake, Ewing Point, Gooseneck Lake, lronjaw Lake, Jackpine Lake, Lake Nineteen, Leg Lake, Lyman Lake, McKeever Cabin, Minerva Lake, Mowe Lake, Steuben Lake, Swan Lake, Toms Cabin, and Triangle Lake. On lakes with designated campsites, you may not set up your campsite within 400 feet of the shoreline anywhere on the lake.

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • Phone Service
   • Dispersed
   • Picnic Table
   • Toilets
9. 

   9.

   Green Road Dispersed - Manistee NF

   2 Reviews

   3 Photos

   74 Saves

   Ludington, Michigan

   Dispersed foot traffic and primitive tent camping within the Forests is allowed almost anywhere, unless otherwise posted closed and/or "No Camping".Plan Your Trip: Dispersed Camping

   Some things to keep in mind when planning where you will be camping are: There is no camping within 200 feet of any body of water, except at designated sites. There is no camping within 400 feet of the Lake Michigan shoreline in the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area. Camping is only allowed at designated sites within the river corridors for the designated Wild and Scenic sections of the Pere Marquette, Pine, Manistee and Au Sable Rivers. Camping or leaving camping equipment (such as, but not limited to tents, camper trailers and/or tarps) is allowed in the same location for up to fourteen (14) days. After sixteen (16) days the camp and equipment MUST be moved off of Forest Service System lands. A permit is NOT required to camp on National Forest System lands outside of designated campgrounds. Motorized vehicles may only be operated on designated roads, trails or areas open to that use. To find what roads and trails are open to a particular use, visitors should obtain a Motor Vehicle Use Map.

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • RVs
   • Tents
   • Standard (Tent/RV)
   • Dispersed
10. 

    10.

    Adams Trail Dirt Lot

    2 Reviews

    7 Photos

    15 Saves

    Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan

    • Pets
    • RVs
    • Tents
    • Group
    • Alcohol