Best Dispersed Camping near Frankfort, MI
Several free dispersed camping options exist within an hour's drive of Frankfort, Michigan. The Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness area along Green Road offers numerous rustic pull-off sites that accommodate tents and high-clearance vehicles. The sandy forest road has large holes and dips, though most sites remain accessible without four-wheel drive in dry conditions. The pine and fern forest setting provides good hammock camping opportunities with sites spaced 50-200 feet apart.
Manistee River Trail offers backpacking-accessible dispersed camping with established sites along the river. The eastern side features designated campsites on the water, while the North Country Trail (west side) allows camping anywhere. Government Landing provides free offseason camping (paid reservations required in summer) with spacious waterfront sites and basic pit toilet facilities. Most dispersed sites throughout the region have existing fire rings but lack amenities. According to one visitor, "The forest is stunning and mesmerizing with a 5-minute hike to dunes/beach" at Nordhouse. Pack out all trash, as previous visitors have left litter at some sites.
