Best Dispersed Camping near Boyne Falls, MI
Several dispersed camping options exist within an hour's drive of Boyne Falls, Michigan. Sand Lakes Quiet Area offers free backcountry campsites accessible via drive-in and walk-in routes, with multiple primitive sites near several lakes. Goose Creek Trail Camp provides rustic forest camping near Grayling from April through October, requiring permits but providing basic amenities like picnic tables. Pigeon River State Forest permits tent camping with hike-in access, while De Cheau Lake Camping features tent and RV-compatible sites that accommodate larger vehicles.
Access conditions vary significantly between locations. Sand Lakes Quiet Area features unmarked trails that some campers report difficulty navigating, with several reviews noting confusion about finding proper camping locations. The area requires no permit and allows fires, pets, and alcohol, but provides only basic toilet facilities with no running water or trash service. Goose Creek Trail Camp offers drinking water and toilet facilities but requires permits. De Cheau Lake requires a Michigan Recreation Passport and permits, but accepts larger vehicles despite having no amenities.
These dispersed sites are characterized by their natural settings and seclusion. Sand Lakes Quiet Area receives consistently high ratings for its fishing opportunities and isolation. "We pitched our tent, stoked the fire, and didn't see another soul during our entire time there," noted one visitor. Another camper described the fishing as exceptional: "Literally, some of the best fishing I have ever done. We caught so many bass we lost count." Goose Creek Trail Camp offers river access via stairs that one equestrian camper found beneficial for introducing horses to water. De Cheau Lake provides a sense of remoteness while still being accessible, with one camper noting it "feels more remote than it really is" and mentioning elk bugling nearby, though some traffic noise from the state route is audible.
