Best Dispersed Camping near Elmira, MI
Sand Lakes Quiet Area offers secluded backcountry camping near Elmira, with free dispersed sites accessible via drive-in or short hikes from the parking area. The area features multiple lakes surrounded by wooded terrain, providing relatively private camping spots. Visitors should note that finding specific sites can be challenging - the parking area is marked by a yellow gate, and campsites are typically a 10-minute walk down the main trail and then left on a smaller path.
Goose Creek Trail Camp provides rustic state forest camping from April to October, with each site containing a fire pit and picnic table. The location includes river access via stairs, making it popular with equestrians. Other options include De Cheau Lake Camping, which requires a Michigan Recreation Passport but offers more remote-feeling sites with multiple vehicle capacity. According to one visitor, "Feels more remote than it really is. Lots of room for multiple vehicles/sites." The standard 14-day camping limit applies throughout these areas, with specific regulations varying by site.
