Dispersed camping options near Gulliver, Michigan offer primitive backcountry sites throughout the Hiawatha National Forest. The Upper Peninsula's mixed forest terrain combines sandy soil with dense woodland, creating natural camping clearings at elevations ranging from 600-700 feet above sea level. Winter temperatures regularly drop below zero, while summer brings moderate 70-80°F days with frequent rainfall and notable mosquito activity.
What to do
Kayaking access: Triangle Lake and surrounding water bodies provide paddling opportunities with minimal shoreline development. At Ironjaw Lake Dispersed Campsite, campers appreciate the dual-lake access. "We were able to kayak and it was beautiful and very private," notes suzanne C., who stayed at Herman Lake.
Wildlife observation: The marsh areas attract diverse bird species during migration seasons. "At times the night was eerily silent, at other times I heard dirt bikes and tractor trailers in the distance, also heard a pack of coyotes at one point and pretty sure I heard some sort of padfooted animal walk by my site once or twice," reports Kevin D. about his experience at Hickey Marsh.
Seasonal planning: Spring brings different experiences compared to peak summer. One camper at Hickey Marsh Dispersed Camping notes, "Quiet spot especially in early May, cell service with Verizon was shockingly good."
What campers like
Privacy balance: Sites offer seclusion without extreme isolation. Bryce B. describes Adams Trail Dirt Lot as "Secluded but not too secluded" and notes it's "About 10min from Munising."
Spacious camping areas: Many sites accommodate multiple vehicle types. "Large, flat, dirt parking lot for snowmobilers in the winter. No other signage re: overnight parking," explains Laura M. about Adams Trail. "Lot is huge - easy turnaround for larger rigs."
Off-season advantages: Visiting before peak season offers added benefits. One Ironjaw Lake visitor shares: "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."
What you should know
Navigation challenges: GPS reliability varies significantly between sites. "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," advises Ben L. about Herman Lake Dispersed.
Road conditions: Forest access roads require appropriate vehicles for many sites. "We went down a very deeply rutted and muddy one lane road in for about 1.5-2 miles. We have a 21 ft travel trailer. Although we stayed one night and made it to and from unscathed, we do not recommend towing down this road."
Site variations: Actual site amenities often differ from online descriptions. "Sites are fairly spacious but don't have any of the hookups or amenities mentioned on the site profile - some do have rudimentary fire pits though. There are 3 sites in total. Ground is flat enough to comfortably tent camp."
Tips for camping with families
Insect preparation: Summer brings significant mosquito activity throughout the region. "I would warn though that the mosquitoes were pretty bad when we visited. Would still recommend for a quick stop over," notes Amy Y. about her stay at Jackpine Lake Dispersed Campsite.
Cell connectivity: Service varies by provider and location. "Zero cell reception for Verizon or ATT," reports one Adams Trail visitor, while others note surprisingly good Verizon coverage at certain sites.
Site availability: First-come availability applies to most locations. "We only found 2 pull in sites and took the first one," explains Tim about Hickey Marsh, highlighting the limited number of established sites in some areas.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller trailers only. "We pulled in a 15 foot trailer and turned it around but wouldn't go much bigger," advises Naomi L. about Steuben Lake Dispersed Campsite.
Parking options: Some sites allow staying hitched overnight. "We were able to back our 26 foot travel trailer in and stay hooked up to it," shares Tim about their Hickey Marsh experience.
Weather contingencies: Road conditions deteriorate rapidly with rain. One Herman Lake visitor explains they stayed only one night because "Rain was expected the following day so we only chanced it for one night afraid a tree would block the road and the mud would get worse."
