Dispersed camping near Newberry, Michigan provides primitive outdoor experiences across state and federal forests in the Upper Peninsula. The area features sandy terrain with a mix of conifer and deciduous forests at elevations typically between 600-800 feet. Winter temperatures regularly drop below 0°F, while summer daytime highs average in the mid-70s with occasional 90°F days.
What to do
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Castle Rock Ponds offers excellent wildlife spotting with seasonal butterfly activity. One camper noted, "It is a beautiful area that has flowers blooming. The monarch butterflies are dancing on them."
Fishing in nearby waters: Several dispersed sites provide water access for fishing. At Castle Rock Ponds, a visitor reported, "Good fishing in pond, caught a trout."
Winter activities: The forest roads and trails around Newberry transform for winter recreation. At Lake Superior North Shore, one winter camper shared, "Visited the site in a winter storm. A little worried before getting on the wild cat road. Turned out no issue at all. Road is covered with heavy snow, no issue with an AWD camper van. Snow shoeing in the woods and along the lake beach. Fantastic!"
Northern lights viewing: Dark skies make this region ideal for aurora watching. A camper at Lake Superior North Shore mentioned, "You truly can't beat this place, we even seen the Northern lights."
What campers like
Easy access to Lake Superior: Several dispersed sites provide direct beach access. At Carp River Boat Launch, a reviewer stated, "Beautiful view of lake Huron. Labor Day weekend and no one else is here except the ubiquitous mosquitoes. Easy and easy out on a good gravel road. Access to Lake Huron."
Proximity to attractions: Many dispersed sites offer convenient access to regional attractions. Mackinac Trail Spur Site is "next to a campground and 15 minutes from the lighthouse and ferry to Macimac Island."
Solitude during off-peak times: Fall and early spring camping often means having sites to yourself. A visitor to Hickey Marsh Dispersed Camping noted, "Camp in early September, bugs were minimal. At times the night was eerily silent."
Flat terrain for comfortable tent setup: Most sites feature level ground suitable for camping. At Hickey Marsh Dispersed Camping, a reviewer observed, "Ground is flat enough to comfortably tent camp."
What you should know
Seasonal insect pressure: Biting insects are extremely prevalent in warmer months. At Wide Waters Dispersed Camping, one camper advised, "Bring your bug spray!" while another noted, "Came to here from the smaller beach spot that was full, plenty of space but the bugs will kill you in August."
Road conditions vary significantly: Access routes range from well-maintained to challenging. A visitor to Castle Rock Ponds reported, "Decent gravel road leading to it, and easy to navigate to the different spots along the pond."
Map discrepancies: Official maps sometimes contain inaccuracies about camping locations. One camper at Rhody Trail Pull Off warned, "We cross referenced this with three maps in the beginning before we went and after we arrived just to double check. One being the DNR website map. They are all incorrect."
Shooting activity: Target shooting occurs near some camping areas. A camper at Castle Rock Ponds mentioned, "Both days/nights there were people doing target shooting in the area so there was some pretty loud gunshots."
Tips for camping with families
Beach access considerations: For families wanting lake access, choose sites carefully. At Lake Superior North Shore, a camper suggested, "Just park and take all your stuff to your spot. There is a 'no drive thru' sign ignore it and drive back the pathway you'll find it."
ATV staging areas: Some dispersed sites double as recreation staging areas. At USFS 3536, "Lots of trucks parked everywhere with trailers; they had hauled their ATVs in and were out riding for the day. They came back on their ATVs in the late afternoon, hung out for a few hours, then left."
Safety planning: Remote locations require extra preparation. A camper at Adams Trail Dirt Lot observed, "Nothing in this lot other than a large pile of crushed rock and an old orange contraption that looks like a street sweeper."
Cell service verification: Coverage varies dramatically between sites. At Hickey Marsh, "T-Mobile cell services was very good," while at Wide Waters, a camper noted "No starlink, no Cell service."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller RVs only. A camper with a 26-foot trailer at USFS 3536 Dispersed Site reported, "We found a good spot to tuck into for the night, while staying out of the way of all the trucks parked everywhere."
Sand hazards: Many access roads contain sections of deep sand. A reviewer at Wide Waters Dispersed Camping cautioned, "Once you're there, be careful not to get stuck in the sand."
Limited turnaround space: Several sites have restricted maneuvering room. A camper at Hickey Marsh noted, "We pulled in a 15 foot trailer and turned it around but wouldn't go much bigger."
Finding level parking: Identifying flat areas for larger rigs requires planning. At Castle Rock Ponds, a camper mentioned, "Decent flat parking around the ponds, with plenty of room for at least 6 rigs."
