The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Dispersed Camping near Gladstone, MI

13 Reviews

Several dispersed camping options exist in the forests around Gladstone, Michigan, primarily concentrated in the Hiawatha National Forest. Peninsula Point Lighthouse Access Road offers two established dispersed sites, both located on the left side of the one-lane road when heading toward the lighthouse. The area features Lake Superior views and pit toilets at the lighthouse. Campers can stay up to 14 days at either site, though availability is limited and competitive.

Hickey Marsh Dispersed Camping provides easier access, located just off M-28. The area contains three primitive sites with rudimentary fire pits on flat ground suitable for tent camping. Other options include Ironjaw Lake, situated between two lakes with multiple pull-out spots for dispersed camping along the forest road. Herman Lake offers secluded camping but requires navigating deeply rutted, muddy access roads that may be challenging for larger vehicles. A recent visitor commented, "We went down a very deeply rutted and muddy one lane road in for about 1.5-2 miles. Although we stayed one night, we do not recommend towing down this road." Lake Superior Beachfront sites are no longer available, with recent reviews confirming "several signs saying 'No Camping' and 'Day Use Only.'"

Map showing campgrounds near Gladstone, MichiganExplore the Map

Best Dispersed Sites Near Gladstone, Michigan (16)

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 16 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Gladstone Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Gladstone, MI

11 Photos of 16 Gladstone Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Gladstone, MI

13 Reviews of 16 Gladstone Campgrounds

  • evi L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 28, 2021

    Peninsula Point Lighthouse Access Road - Dispersed

    Beautiful but very limited camping sites

    This area is gorgeous, it's surrounded by lake superior, and there is a really neat old lighthouse with pit toilets at the end of the road.. It's a one lane road btw, with multiple cutouts in the road for passing. I stayed here 2 nights in what appears to be an established campsite (with a fire ring, on the right side of the road heading towards the lighthouse) before meeting a local ranger this morning, who informed me that there are only 2 dispersed campsites available here, and both are on the left side of the road (heading towards the lighthouse.) But she did say that you are allowed to stay up to 14 days at either of those sites, before asking me to promptly gtfo. I would have rated 5 stars if there were more sites available, but if you manage to snag one of the permitted ones, lucky you!

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 3, 2020

    Ironjaw Lake Dispersed Campsite

    My nightmare

    The site only gives you coordinates that are actually an hour away from the site. There is no real address to get there. We pulled in pretty late, had a rough long drive so we got to where we thought it was at around 11:30 pm. Then we can’t find the site, so we go to the website and it gives us strange directions to somewhere an hour away. As we drove out there, we lost all service, were on dirt roads and we were miles past any signs of civilization. We started to get a strange feeling but we trekked on. Suddenly it gets very foggy and spooky looking and we all debate turning back, but still we keep going. Finally, we turn onto the road that it is on, just a ways down, and the stop sign is filled with bullet holes however we haven’t seen a single sign of people out there. We keep going and finally decide this all seems like an elaborate ploy to lure campers in and kill them. We decide to turn around and end up in some weird abandoned summer camp, still around thirty minutes left on the road to get to the actual site.  We decide there are far too many creepy signs pointing towards this not being a good idea then as we leave and get service back, we look up the site and realize there are zero reviews at all. The site doesn’t exist on google except for these camping sites, with the same two photos only on every site and zero reviews. As we are driving away, we get an email at one am saying “hello your site is still empty, please enjoy your stay” as if there was someone waiting for us at the site even though it was a remote site with no formal check in. How did they know we were not at the site yet? And what are the chances they email us right as we turn around? I’m glad we didn’t end up staying, we all had a horrible gut feeling and I suggest no one else stay here either. Nothing about it seemed legit or safe.

  • Ben L.
    Aug. 24, 2020

    Ironjaw Lake Dispersed Campsite

    Awesome Site

    Great site located between two lakes. In response to the previous review, your best directions will come from locating the site on your GPS (in our case Google Maps) and dropping a pin. That took us straight to the location no problem. Totally legit dispersed camp site. Will definely be going back. Because the access to both lakes is near the camp site, we did encounter vehicles driving by, maybe 2 a day. It is the end of the road though so no one was driving to fast and it didn't cause any issues.

  • Jacob B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2023

    Peninsula Point Lighthouse Access Road - Dispersed

    A beautiful location when I went!

    Stayed for 6 nights and loved all of it. I was in the camp more south on the left. I can confirm that there is a trailhead, national campground, private campgrounds, and boat launches down this road. Another review mentioned a site, that now has a no camping sign on it. I believe that was the site, but there is 2 sites. Some very light traffic as there is a lighthouse/ restrooms down the road from both of these. Not really walking distance for most, but manageable in any form. Caught northern lights, Milky Way, and glorious sights every day.

  • W
    Apr. 28, 2025

    Peninsula Point Lighthouse Access Road - Dispersed

    Beautiful Lake View

    We camped one night at the first dispersed site and had a great view of the lake from the site. The sunset was incredible. There are two sites, both on the left side while headed south.

  • W
    Apr. 28, 2025

    Ironjaw Lake Dispersed Campsite

    Gorgeous Spot

    We were lucky, we went pre-season. We did have to clear a bunch of down trees to get down the road but we had the site and the lakes to ourselves. It was gorgeous. There is a permitted site (May-Sept) at the end but multiple pull out spots for dispersed camping along the forest road.

  • J
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Peninsula Point Lighthouse Access Road - Dispersed

    Lighthouse hideaway

    This one was very cool. We had a great time. The “camp” spots are about 1 mile before the lighthouse and outhouse bathrooms. But there was two established campsites that are near the entrance of the light house. Both open and with pits. We stayed in the second one. It was very nice to have open space. We were the only ones who were there so we have the whole area to ourselves. I will also say it was nice to be able to hear the cars coming and going down the road.

Guide to Gladstone

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Gladstone, Michigan, where nature lovers can enjoy serene landscapes and a sense of adventure. With various options available, campers can find the perfect spot to unwind and connect with the great outdoors.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Gladstone, Michigan

  • When visiting the Peninsula Point Lighthouse Access Road - Dispersed, be prepared for limited camping sites, as there are only two available. Arriving early can increase your chances of securing a spot.
  • The Ironjaw Lake Dispersed Campsite is a great choice for those looking for a peaceful retreat, but remember to bring your own drinking water, as it is not available on-site.
  • If you’re planning to camp at the Herman Lake Dispersed, be cautious of the access road, which can be deeply rutted and muddy. A smaller vehicle may be more suitable for this location.

Activities to enjoy while free camping near Gladstone

Dispersed campers should check out Ironjaw Lake

  • The Ironjaw Lake Dispersed Campsite is nestled between two lakes, providing a picturesque setting for fishing and relaxing by the water.
  • This site is known for its minimal traffic, allowing for a peaceful camping experience, but be aware that there are no amenities, so plan accordingly.
  • If you enjoy stargazing, the clear skies at Ironjaw Lake make it an excellent location to catch a glimpse of the Milky Way and other celestial wonders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Gladstone, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Gladstone, MI is Peninsula Point Lighthouse Access Road - Dispersed with a 4.4-star rating from 5 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Gladstone, MI?

TheDyrt.com has all 16 dispersed camping locations near Gladstone, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.

Keep Exploring