Pictured Rocks National Park is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Pictured Rocks National Park is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Pictured Rocks National Park camping trip.
"Large, flat, dirt parking lot for snowmobilers in the winter. No other signage re: overnight parking."
"Ideal for camper vans, or car camping. Close enough to Pictured rocks. Just pulled in here for the night since we are ahead of schedule."
"Was slightly passed the pin marker on the same unlaced road - only about 1/4-1/2 off the highway."
"This is a great spot, very private and easy to access. T-Mobile cell services was very good. I would warn though that the mosquitoes were pretty bad when we visited."
"You’ll have a a front row seat to the lake. My hammock was almost over the water. Great spot"
"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."
"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."
ScoutThe 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.
ScoutGreat 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.
TravelerThere is signs posted just about everywhere “no camping or overnight parking” don’t waste your time
TravelerWe 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.
ScoutTons of mosquitos right next to a small danky pond.
ScoutThis 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
ScoutThere are several signs saying “No Camping” and “Day Use Only.”
ScoutWe 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.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Pictured Rocks National Park in Michigan, where nature lovers can enjoy serene landscapes and a sense of adventure. This area offers a variety of spots for those looking to escape the crowds and immerse themselves in the great outdoors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is free camping available at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore?
Yes, free dispersed camping is available near Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, though not within the park boundaries themselves. Ironjaw Lake Dispersed Campsite offers free camping with multiple pull-out spots along the forest road. The site is located between two lakes and is best found by using GPS coordinates. Lake Superior Beachfront on US Forest Land has provided free camping with lakefront views in the past, though recent reports indicate increased restrictions with signs prohibiting overnight stays. When seeking free camping, it's advisable to have backup options as regulations may change seasonally or annually. Always check current rules before planning your trip.
What regulations should I know about dispersed camping in Pictured Rocks?
Dispersed camping regulations near Pictured Rocks can be strict and change seasonally. The Rhody Trail Pull Off area has had enforcement issues with campers receiving notices from DNR despite checking maps beforehand. At Ironjaw Lake Dispersed Campsite, a permit is required from May through September for certain designated sites. Always practice Leave No Trace principles and maintain a low profile, especially in sensitive areas. Some locations have limitations on duration of stay, typically 14 days. Be prepared for possible mosquitoes in marshy areas. Many dispersed sites lack facilities like trash disposal, so plan to pack out all waste. Always verify current regulations with the local Forest Service office before your trip as enforcement can be active.
Where can I find dispersed camping near Pictured Rocks National Park?
Several dispersed camping options exist near Pictured Rocks National Park. Adams Trail Dirt Lot offers a large, flat parking area that's suitable for motorhomes up to 26ft and van camping. It's primarily a snowmobile lot in winter but serves as peaceful camping in other seasons. Hickey Marsh Dispersed Camping provides private sites just off M-28 with good T-Mobile cell service. The area has limited pull-in sites that can accommodate travel trailers up to 26 feet. Look for campfire remnants to identify established spots. Additional options include Ironjaw Lake between two lakes, Herman Lake, and Coalwood Trail, though the latter may have significant mosquitoes during certain seasons.
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