Dispersed camping opportunities in the Free Soil, Michigan region center around the extensive Manistee National Forest, which covers over 540,000 acres of public land. The area features a mix of oak, pine, and hardwood forests with elevations ranging from 700 to 1,000 feet above sea level. Most rustic camping sites are accessible from May through October, with some areas becoming difficult to reach after heavy rainfall due to sandy soil conditions.
What to do
Beach access at Lake Michigan: Sites along Green Road provide relatively easy access to Lake Michigan beaches. "Next time I'm coming back to hammock camp. Place is awesome. Not much bugs," notes a camper at Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness - Green Road. The sandy beaches are within a 15-30 minute drive from most campsites.
Hiking on Manistee River Trail: The 23-mile loop combining the Manistee River Trail and North Country Trail offers excellent hiking opportunities. A visitor to Manistee River Trail Dispersed Camping shares, "Great river trail with a decent amount of campsites... The east side of the river is more hilly but has an abundance of water spots to fill up. The west side of the river doesn't have any water spots until about the last mile north at a small bridge."
Explore Nordhouse Dunes: The wilderness area features rare freshwater dunes and diverse plant communities. "We vowed to return in a month and driving there now for a long Labor Day weekend. Quiet, though our site was adjacent to a trailhead. The forest is stunning and mesmerizing! 5 min hike to dunes/beach," reports one camper.
What campers like
Large, private sites: Many dispersed campsites offer substantial space between neighbors. At Government Landing Campground, "Sites are large with fantastic views. Walking trails, bike trails and ORV trails and routes are in close proximity." Another camper mentions it offers "Beautiful rustic riverside site."
Natural serenity: The forested settings provide peaceful camping experiences. A visitor to Green Road Dispersed - Manistee NF reports, "Absolutely amazing. So many stars. This was a great place to get away from the city." The surrounding forest creates natural sound barriers between sites.
Swimming options: Beyond Lake Michigan, inland lakes provide additional swimming opportunities. At Sawkaw Lake, campers enjoy "Brand new vaulted toilet, lake view and deep forest all around. Easy access to North Country Trail." Another visitor notes, "Not a lot of privacy between sites, but they are very large so you don't feel on top of another and having the lake right there was nice."
What you should know
Fire restrictions and regulations: Most sites allow fires in established fire rings. "All up and down green Rd. there's a ton of quiet pull offs, some with fire pits some without," notes one camper. Local fire regulations may change seasonally based on conditions.
Variable road conditions: Forest roads can be challenging, especially after rain. A visitor to Sand Road Primitive Rustic Camping warns, "This spot is wonderful, but boy howdy does it live up to its name. If you do not have AWD and good ground clearance, don't even try to get there."
Wildlife encounters: Beyond typical forest wildlife, coyotes are present in some areas. One camper reports, "We decided to stay a little longer before calling it quits. Not 30 mins later, the coyotes were back again, but even closer. They were less than 100 yards away from us."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection timing: For best sites with children, arrive mid-week. A camper at Government Landing Campground shares, "Every site was full. I hear it's darn near impossible to find an open site during June-August. Sites are large with fantastic views."
Beach-accessible camping: For family outings, consider sites with easier beach access. "Drove out to this campsite after spending the day swimming in Lake Michigan at the Recreation area which is down the road. There's ~ 15 sites down this road, and each of them were gorgeous, some very large and very private."
Water safety preparation: Lake Michigan can have strong currents and cold water. Always supervise children at beaches and bring drinking water. As noted at Manistee River Trail, "The east side of the river is more hilly but has an abundance of water spots to fill up. The west side of the river doesn't have any water spots until about the last mile north."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most rustic camping near Free Soil is best suited for smaller RVs and trailers. At Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness, one RVer found, "Road access was fair as well but better suited for smaller rigs due to tight roads and numerous curves."
Ground clearance considerations: RVs with higher clearance fare better on forest roads. "Absolutely one of the most beautiful sites that I have seen yet. Secluded enough for my dog to roam. Large open site surrounded by trees. I have a promaster and made it through the rough sand road."
Supply planning: Limited services mean bringing adequate supplies. "There's a general store less than 10 minutes away that sells firewood and basic necessities, cash only during my visit (beer, snacks, etc.)." Most dispersed sites have no hookups or facilities of any kind.
