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Best Dispersed Camping near Gowen, MI

14 Reviews

Dispersed camping in the Gowen area of Michigan centers around three main locations. Sand Road Primitive Rustic Camping offers free sites accessible by drive-in, hike-in, or walk-in methods, but requires appropriate vehicles. A visitor noted, "If you do not have AWD and good ground clearance, don't even try to get there." The area permits campfires and allows pets, though some reviews mention coyote activity nearby. The exact location has caused confusion for some visitors, with coordinates sometimes leading to private property.

Sawkaw Lake provides drive-in backcountry camping with vault toilets and lake access. The sites are spacious though somewhat close together, making weekdays preferable for solitude. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, "There are fire rings and lots of wood to collect" and the area offers "easy access to North Country Trail." Some visitors have encountered signs indicating permits may be required in the future. Spruce Road Pulloff offers a simpler free camping option with space to safely pull off the road, though access to the meadow is blocked and reviews indicate no fire rings are present.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Gowen, Michigan (3)

    1. Sand Road Primitive Rustic Camping

    8 Reviews
    Whitehall, MI
    49 miles

    "Coordinates took me to a parking area that was blocked off and marked private property. I parked a ways down from this spot and just hiked in and camped."

    "There looks like there are trails off of the parking lot. No signs that say no overnight parking. I'm in a van and this worked great for me. Quiet area and right off the lake."

    2. Sawkaw Lake

    6 Reviews
    Bitely, MI
    46 miles
    Website

    "It was a great little dispersed camping spot. Brand new vaulted toilet, lake view and deep forest all around. Easy access to North Country Trail. Loved it!"

    "Found several spots around Sawkaw Lake, to include Little Half Moon Lake which is right next to it. Nice and quite."

    3. Spruce Road Pulloff Dispersed

    1 Review
    Baldwin, MI
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 775-2421
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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Gowen, MI

11 Photos of 3 Gowen Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Gowen, MI

14 Reviews of 3 Gowen Campgrounds

  • Degen G.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 13, 2025

    Sand Road Primitive Rustic Camping

    Great area to explore

    Coordinates took me to a parking area that was blocked off and marked private property. I parked a ways down from this spot and just hiked in and camped. Very good area for those interested in back country camping and primitive camping, lots of forest to explore. There are also quite a few drive in sites as well for car camping. There was running water in a creek south of Sand Road.

  • J
    Aug. 1, 2025

    Sand Road Primitive Rustic Camping

    Wrong Location

    The coordinates lead you to a state that park if it is off sand road or Russell road it’s 30 minutes out for where coordinates are. Struggled to find any primitive camping anywhere nearby.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2021

    Sand Road Primitive Rustic Camping

    Nice spot for van camping

    The directions take you to a parking lot. There looks like there are trails off of the parking lot. No signs that say no overnight parking. I'm in a van and this worked great for me. Quiet area and right off the lake.

  • J
    May. 24, 2025

    Sand Road Primitive Rustic Camping

    Great Campsite, but couldn’t stay overnight.

    Arrived to the campsite around 5pm, everything was fantastic. Fire pit, and large open, wooded area all to ourselves. We loved it. However, once we got a fire lit, and the sunlight started to leave for the night we heard a pack of coyotes nearby. Deciding to press on, we shrugged it off hoping this was just a one off. 3 hours later, we hear them again. Only, this time we could tell they were even closer. We decided to head to the car and reevaluate our plan, but 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, and we had no choice but to stay in our tent, and wait for them to pass while holding our protection in hand. We decided it was time to pack up and leave this time.

    Please be aware, when camping here you may be in coyote territory, and they don’t seem to like it. So, maybe not a great spot for kids, or smaller pets.

  • FThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2021

    Sawkaw Lake

    It's quite deep in the forest

    Was planning on staying at Highbank Campground but it was closed. Thankfully had the Dyrt App to see this spot.

    It was a great little dispersed camping spot. Brand new vaulted toilet, lake view and deep forest all around. Easy access to North Country Trail.

    Loved it!

  • L
    May. 26, 2025

    Sand Road Primitive Rustic Camping

    If you can get there, fantastic

    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.

  • Jay D.
    Jun. 10, 2022

    Sawkaw Lake

    Little Half Moon Lake

    Found several spots around Sawkaw Lake, to include Little Half Moon Lake which is right next to it. Nice and quite. Depending on the spot, there could be some people around, but most the most part, it was pretty tranquil. There are even some hike paths around the area.

  • Ileene R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Sawkaw Lake

    Peaceful

    There are signs on the sites saying permit required, but no info for that purpose. No one else had them so I stayed. May be ramping up to making it a paid site, toilet is nice. Lake has boat access. There are fire rings and lots of wood to collect. Not tons of trash but I cleaned up some left in fire pit.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Sawkaw Lake

    Doesn't exist and says "no camping"

    We went down the path and it says to make it right when there's no road that goes to the right. We drove three and a half hours to get here and now we've got to figure out where we're going to stay for the night. And the only spot that looked like a campable spot says no camping. There's a stake in the ground that says it.

Guide to Gowen

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Gowen, Michigan, where nature lovers can enjoy serene landscapes and a sense of adventure without the constraints of traditional campgrounds.

Scenic Views While Free Camping Near Gowen

  • Experience breathtaking scenery at Sand Road Primitive Rustic Camping, where you can find beautiful spots perfect for family gatherings or solo retreats.
  • Enjoy riverside camping options that provide a tranquil atmosphere, ideal for relaxation and fishing at Sawkaw Lake.
  • The peaceful environment at Spruce Road Pulloff Dispersed allows for a true escape into nature, surrounded by the lush Huron-Manistee National Forests.

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Gowen, Michigan

  • Always check the actual location of your chosen spot, as some reviews indicate that coordinates may lead to incorrect destinations, like the confusion surrounding Sand Road Primitive Rustic Camping.
  • Be prepared for a lack of amenities; for instance, Sawkaw Lake does not provide firewood or water hookups, so plan accordingly.
  • Bring your pets along, as many dispersed camping areas, including Spruce Road Pulloff Dispersed, welcome furry companions, making it a great choice for family outings.

Fishing and Hiking for Dispersed Campers

  • Cast your line in the serene waters of Sawkaw Lake, where fishing opportunities abound amidst stunning natural surroundings.
  • Explore the North Country Trail, easily accessible from Sawkaw Lake, offering a chance to hike through beautiful forested areas.
  • Enjoy the quietude of Spruce Road Pulloff Dispersed, where you can find solitude and the perfect backdrop for a day of hiking or simply unwinding in nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Gowen, MI is Sand Road Primitive Rustic Camping with a 3.9-star rating from 8 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 3 dispersed camping locations near Gowen, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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