Best Dispersed Camping near Muskegon, MI

Dispersed camping near Muskegon, Michigan centers around several primitive sites situated on public lands, particularly at Sand Road Primitive Rustic Camping and Sawkaw Lake. These free camping areas provide basic backcountry experiences with minimal to no amenities. Sand Road offers both drive-in and hike-in access options along forest roads, while Sawkaw Lake in Bitely provides basic toilet facilities despite being categorized as dispersed camping. Spruce Road Pulloff, located in Manistee Forest, represents another primitive option with tent camping permitted.

Access to Sand Road requires careful planning as road conditions present significant challenges. Many campers report the need for all-wheel drive and high-clearance vehicles, particularly noting the area lives up to its name with sandy terrain that can trap vehicles without proper capability. Coordinates provided for Sand Road camping have proven inconsistent, sometimes leading to private property or state park land instead of designated camping areas. Most sites lack drinking water, toilets, and other basic amenities. Camping is permitted without reservations, though fire regulations should be checked as fires are allowed at some locations.

The primitive camping experience around Muskegon offers opportunities for true backcountry solitude. Sand Road provides riverside camping options and large, open wooded areas suitable for both family groups and solo campers. Wildlife is abundant in the region, with coyote activity noted particularly at Sand Road. Sawkaw Lake features lakeside sites with access to hiking paths including connections to the North Country Trail. The lake areas tend to be peaceful, especially midweek. A recent visitor noted that "sites are large and a bit closer than I like, but on a Tuesday, not a person around. Might change by Friday." Another camper advised about Sand Road: "If you do not have AWD and good ground clearance, don't even try to get there."

Best Dispersed Sites Near Muskegon, Michigan (3)

    1. Sand Road Primitive Rustic Camping

    8 Reviews
    Whitehall, MI
    17 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
    41 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
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 775-2421
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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Muskegon, MI

11 Photos of 3 Muskegon Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Muskegon, MI

14 Reviews of 3 Muskegon 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 Muskegon

Dispersed camping locations around Muskegon, Michigan provide free or low-cost alternatives to developed campgrounds. Most sites are situated in Huron-Manistee National Forest, where primitive camping conditions prevail with minimal facilities. Winter temperatures in the region average 20-30°F, while summer months typically range from 70-85°F with moderate rainfall.

What to do

Hike the North Country Trail: The nationally-designated hiking path runs through the Manistee National Forest area. At Sawkaw Lake, campers have direct trail access. "There are even some hike paths around the area," notes Jay D., who enjoyed the connectivity to surrounding wilderness.

Lake activities: Fish or paddle at several forest lakes. "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," reports Tony N. about his experience at Sawkaw Lake.

Wildlife observation: The national forest hosts diverse animal species. A camper at Spruce Road Pulloff noted: "Access to meadow is blocked but enough room to pull safely off the road. No fire ring. Bullet casings present. Road was very quiet midweek."

What campers like

Solitude on weekdays: Mid-week stays offer the best chance for quiet camping experiences. "On a Tuesday, not a person around. Might change by Friday," states Lori T. about Sawkaw Lake.

Spacious campsites: Many dispersed areas feature large sites suitable for groups. Ashley H. appreciates the versatility at Sand Road: "Perfect for big families or even solo camp! Spots big and small plenty to choose from and even some great riverside camping!"

Natural water sources: Some sites provide access to creeks or lakes. "There was running water in a creek south of Sand Road," reports Degen G., though filtering is necessary for drinking.

What you should know

Navigation challenges: GPS coordinates for these primitive sites often lead to incorrect locations. According to Jolie at Sand Road Primitive Rustic Camping: "The coordinates lead you to a state 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."

Vehicle requirements: Sandy terrain demands appropriate vehicles. Logan P. 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."

Permit confusion: Some sites may require permits despite being listed as free. Ileene R. explains: "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."

Tips for camping with families

Site selection: Choose areas with established fire rings and some amenities. Fiona appreciated Sawkaw Lake's improvements: "Brand new vaulted toilet, lake view and deep forest all around. Easy access to North Country Trail. Loved it!"

Wildlife precautions: Consider wildlife activity when camping with children. Joseph C. shares an important warning about Sand Road: "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."

Alternative parking options: Some locations work better for self-contained camping. Noah E. found a practical solution: "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."

Tips for RVers

Size limitations: Most dispersed sites cannot accommodate large rigs. Dennis N. notes about Sand Road: "Free rusty camping. You can get RVs in there but will need 4x4. Hits the name. Sand Rd."

Facility considerations: No hookups or dumping facilities exist at these locations. Bring adequate water and waste storage capacity.

Road conditions: Forest roads may be impassable for RVs during wet weather or winter months. Access typically requires high-clearance vehicles with good traction.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Muskegon, 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 Muskegon, MI?

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