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Best Dispersed Camping near Hiawatha National Forest

9 Reviews

Dispersed camping areas near Hiawatha National Forest include multiple primitive sites around small lakes. Hickey Marsh Dispersed Camping, located about 10 minutes from Munising, offers secluded sites with good cell service for Verizon users. Most sites have basic fire rings but lack formal amenities despite what some listings suggest. The area consists of three main pull-off spots that can accommodate small trailers, with campers noting the ground is flat enough for comfortable tent camping.

Ironjaw Lake Dispersed Campsite provides camping options between two lakes, with one official site containing a table and fire circle plus additional pull-offs near boat launches. Access requires navigating forest roads that occasionally need clearing of fallen trees. Herman Lake Dispersed features more challenging access, with reviewers describing "a very deeply rutted and muddy one lane road" extending 1.5-2 miles to reach the lake. Adams Trail Dirt Lot serves as a convenient stopover with its large, flat parking area originally intended for snowmobilers. Most dispersed sites in the region have significant mosquito presence, particularly those near water bodies. Visitors should be self-contained as facilities are minimal to non-existent throughout these areas.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Hiawatha National Forest (17)

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Showing results 1-10 of 17 campgrounds

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Hiawatha National Forest

6 Photos of 17 Hiawatha National Forest Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Hiawatha National Forest

9 Reviews of 17 Hiawatha National Forest Campgrounds

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • S
    Oct. 20, 2025

    Ironjaw Lake Dispersed Campsite

    Isolated

    Long nice road with a few pull offs once you are close to the end there is one official site with a table and fire circle. Is first come first serve but if you keep driving down there are two different boat launches with room to park/camp. We stayed in our car just in case. NOTE! the camp site is closed for updates until the end of October apparently. No service with mint

  • Nathan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 24, 2023

    Lake Superior Beachfront (US Forest Land)

    Small but mighty

    This place is tricky to find and I would suggest keeping a low profile. I didn’t have problems but others have said locals don’t like people camping here. You’ll have a a front row seat to the lake. My hammock was almost over the water. Great spot

  • sThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 1, 2024

    Herman Lake Dispersed

    Beautiful, Buggy and hard to get to!

    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. We were able to kayak and it was beautiful and very private. 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.

Guide to Hiawatha National Forest

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Hiawatha National Forest in Michigan, where nature lovers can find secluded spots away from the crowds. This area offers a variety of unique camping experiences, perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in the great outdoors.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Hiawatha National Forest, Michigan

  • Many sites, like Ironjaw Lake Dispersed Campsite, do not require permits, making it easy for campers to set up without the hassle of reservations.
  • Be prepared for limited amenities; for instance, Herman Lake Dispersed offers a beautiful setting but lacks basic facilities like showers and drinking water.
  • Always check road conditions before heading out, as some access roads can be deeply rutted and muddy, as noted by visitors to Herman Lake Dispersed.

Scenic spots for dispersed campers

Dispersed campers should check out Ironjaw Lake

  • Located between two lakes, Ironjaw Lake Dispersed Campsite is a fantastic spot for those who enjoy water activities and scenic views.
  • Visitors have noted that while the site is remote, it is accessible via GPS, making it easier to find than some might expect.
  • The campsite allows fires, providing a cozy atmosphere for evening gatherings under the stars, enhancing the overall camping experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best areas for dispersed camping in Hiawatha National Forest?

Hiawatha National Forest offers several excellent dispersed camping options. Ironjaw Lake Dispersed Campsite is a standout location situated between two lakes with multiple pull-out spots along the forest road for dispersed camping. For those seeking privacy, Hickey Marsh Dispersed Camping provides secluded sites with good cell service, though mosquitoes can be problematic in summer months. Other notable areas include Adams Trail Dirt Lot for those with smaller rigs, and the Manistique Rapid River area which contains several dispersed sites around lakes like Steuben, Triangle, and Mowe. Always follow forest service regulations, bring what you need, and practice Leave No Trace principles while enjoying Hiawatha's beautiful dispersed camping areas.

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Hiawatha National Forest?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Hiawatha National Forest is Hickey Marsh Dispersed Camping with a 5-star rating from 7 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Hiawatha National Forest?

TheDyrt.com has all 17 dispersed camping locations near Hiawatha National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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