Dispersed camping near Carp Lake, Michigan offers several sites within short driving distances from Michigan's northern inland lakes region. The area sits on Michigan's Upper Peninsula near the Straits of Mackinac at approximately 600 feet elevation. Winter temperatures often drop below 10°F while summer averages 75°F with frequent lake-effect weather patterns influencing camping conditions.
What to do
Water activities: Castle Rock Ponds offers multiple camping sites overlooking scenic ponds. According to a recent visitor, it's "easy to get to from the Hwy. I must have had a good night as the bugs were at a minimum" which makes it suitable for fishing and paddling during summer months.
Beach exploration: Carp River Boat Launch provides direct access to Lake Huron shoreline. One camper noted it has a "beautiful view of lake Huron. Labor Day weekend and no one else is here except the ubiquitous mosquitoes." The boat launch serves as both a watercraft entry point and camping area.
Wildlife viewing: Look for monarch butterflies at Mackinac Trail Spur Site during summer months. A visitor described it as "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."
What campers like
Seasonal solitude: Timing affects crowding significantly at these sites. One camper at Search Bay Dispersed noted, "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."
Water views: Finding waterfront sites requires planning but delivers rewards. A camper at Search Bay Dispersed found "a site I could simply pull into, right on the lake looking out at a million-dollar view of a beautiful bay, with a deep cedar forest on the other side."
Location convenience: Castle Rock Ponds earns praise for accessibility. As one reviewer stated, it's "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."
What you should know
Weather considerations: Wind conditions vary dramatically at different sites. A Search Bay camper reported: "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)."
Campsite availability: Timing affects site selection. According to one Search Bay visitor, there are "great sites here (so many to choose from all across the water). Each have their own fire pits. We are here in late April so with the chilly weather there isn't a soul in site."
Cleanliness issues: Be prepared to do site cleanup at popular locations. One camper at Search Bay observed: "Tons of sites here and most are easily accessible with just about any car. Unfortunately it's quite popular and there's lots of trash in some areas."
Tips for camping with families
Insect preparation: Bring appropriate repellent based on seasonality. At USFS 3536 Dispersed Site, visitors report varying conditions: "Zero cell service with Verizon but ATT had good service, mostly. It would randomly drop now and then but it would come back."
Road navigation: Roads require planning for family vehicles. At Carp River Boat Launch, a visitor cautioned: "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!"
Safety awareness: Some sites experience recreational traffic. At USFS 3536, a camper reported: "Lots of trucks parked everywhere with trailers; they had hauled their ATVs in and were out riding for the day. They came back on their ATVs in the late afternoon, hung out for a few hours, then left."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Vehicle size determines site accessibility. At Search Bay, a camper advised: "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."
Surface conditions: Be cautious about ground stability for heavier vehicles. A visitor at USFS 3536 warned: "These are sandy trails that lead nowhere in particular and I guess you camp on the side in the trees..you can't get down there with a regular vehicle without the possibility of getting stuck in sand traps."
Overnight options: Short stays work better at some locations. A Castle Rock Ponds visitor mentioned it as a "great night stop over. Easy to get to from the Hwy."
