Rustic camping near Afton, Michigan provides access to multiple inland waterways in Northern Michigan's heavily forested terrain. Most sites sit at elevations between 800-1,000 feet above sea level, creating distinct microclimates that affect seasonal camping conditions. Winter snowfall often exceeds 100 inches annually, limiting accessibility to warmer months for most dispersed camping areas.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Several ponds and river access points offer excellent fishing without the crowds. At Castle Rock Ponds, campers find "Easy to get to camping spot with multiple camping sites overlooking ponds. A couple miles down a nice gravel road that any kind of car could make it down," according to Evan D.
Horse trails: The Pigeon River area features extensive equestrian routes connecting to broader trail systems. Goose Creek Trail Camp offers specialized horse camping amenities. Brianna K. notes, "I camp here with my horse - there are plenty of trails and there is river access with big stairs leading down to the nice footed river - it was my young horses first time being in the water and the stairs made it easier for him."
Boat access camping: Several sites allow direct water access for small watercraft. At Carp River Boat Launch, campers enjoy "Beautiful view of lake Huron. Labor Day weekend and no one else is here except the ubiquitous mosquitoes. Easy and easy out on a good gravel road. Access to Lake Huron," as described by Vidalia S.
What campers like
Seasonal variations: Fall and spring offer distinct advantages for dispersed camping experiences. At Castle Rock Ponds, Luke T. reports, "Stopped for the night. Easy to get to from the Hwy. I must have had a good night as the bugs were at a minimum."
Wildlife viewing: Elk and other wildlife sightings enhance camping experiences throughout the region. At De Cheau Lake Camping, camper j H. appreciated the "Beautiful lake, blessed by the Elk bugles nearby."
Solitude: Off-season camping offers increased privacy at many dispersed sites. At Carp River Boat Launch, Hannah W. found "No one else at the site! Just parked off to the side of the road near the boat launch and had a view of the water! Very secluded feeling and peaceful!"
What you should know
Road accessibility: Road conditions vary significantly by season and recent weather. At Search Bay Dispersed, Michael U. reports, "There's a good road that leads to the shore road that isn't terrible. My 2wd Tacoma had no issue. People have cleared sites and set up fire rings down the shore road."
Seasonal insects: Bug activity varies by location and time of year. At Search Bay Dispersed, David B. notes, "I saw a lot of reviews about mosquitoes, but I haven't had any issues -may be because of the wind (it can blow really strong off the water)."
Permit requirements: Several dispersed camping areas require Michigan Recreation Passport. At De Cheau Lake Camping, signage indicates "Posted on Southern entrance: Michigan Rec Passport Required."
Tips for camping with families
Beach access spots: Several areas offer family-friendly shoreline camping. Rebecca B. advises about Search Bay: "The bay is calm and beach nice... But for free camping in the southern side of the UP, this is a home run."
Seasonal timing: Consider visitation timing to avoid crowds or mosquitos. Barry M. reports of Search Bay Dispersed, "Nice camp sites, pretty beach. I was there in October, so I don't know what it would be like in warmer weather. I had the place to myself on a Saturday."
Wildflower viewing: Certain areas offer unique natural attractions for children. At Mackinac Trail Spur Site, Bare Soul W. found "a beautiful area that has flowers blooming. The monarch butterflies are dancing on them. You travel down a sand road but then turn left in a grassy area."
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Several areas have limitations for larger vehicles. Gary N. notes about Castle Rock Ponds: "Just minutes off of 75 down a well maintained gravel road are the Castle Rock ponds. Decent flat parking around the ponds, with plenty of room for at least 6 rigs."
Self-contained recommendations: Most dispersed sites lack facilities. Robert M. advises about Search Bay Dispersed: "I had an 18' Thor Scope B class pulling a kayak trailer. I wouldn't try driving anything much bigger to this end of the trail. I did see a vehicle pull one of those boxy 20' camping trailers into a campsite up the road."
Road navigation: Plan for specific road hazards when traveling with RVs. Hannah W. cautions about Carp River: "We drove a 24 ft RV at night to the site and the road is decent but has MANY deep potholes. So you need to watch for that!"
