Manistee National Forest provides multiple dispersed camping options near Remus, Michigan. Several free camping areas offer primitive accommodations for outdoor enthusiasts, with sites situated around small lakes and forest clearings. Winter access becomes limited due to seasonal road closures, while summer weekends typically see higher usage rates throughout the forest.
What to do
Hiking access: Sawkaw Lake serves as an entry point to the North Country Trail. "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," notes Fiona in her Sawkaw Lake review.
Lake activities: The small lakes in the area provide opportunities for fishing and paddling during warmer months. According to Jay D., "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."
Wildlife observation: Early mornings at Spruce Road Pulloff Dispersed offer wildlife viewing opportunities. Linda C. mentions, "Road was very quiet midweek," making it conducive for wildlife spotting in the adjacent meadow areas.
What campers like
Spacious sites: The dispersed camping areas provide ample room for setup. At Sawkaw Lake, tony N. reports, "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."
Midweek solitude: Visiting during weekdays significantly increases chances for privacy. "Beautiful spot overlooking the lake. Sites are large and a bit closer than I like, but on a Tuesday, not a person around. Might change by Friday," shares lori T. in her Sawkaw Lake review.
Firewood availability: Natural deadfall provides adequate fuel for campfires at certain sites. Ileene R. states, "There are fire rings and lots of wood to collect. Not tons of trash but I cleaned up some left in fire pit."
What you should know
Permit confusion: Some sites have unclear permitting requirements. "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," reports Ileene R.
Road conditions: Access roads may require careful navigation. Neil's Secret Spot is described as "just down the road from Leverentz SpR" by N.M., suggesting its proximity to other forest roads.
Limited facilities: Most free camping near Remus requires self-sufficiency. "No outhouse yet but town is near," mentions N.M. about Neil's Secret Spot, indicating the need to plan accordingly for bathroom needs.
Tips for camping with families
Safety concerns: Some areas show evidence of recreational shooting. Linda C. notes about Spruce Road Pulloff: "Access to meadow is blocked but enough room to pull safely off the road. No fire ring. Bullet casings present."
Lake proximity: Camping near water provides built-in entertainment for children. Sawkaw Lake "has boat access" according to Ileene R., making it suitable for families with watercraft.
Multiple site options: Little Half Moon Lake connects to other camping areas, offering flexibility. Jay D. explains, "There are even some hike paths around the area," providing additional activities for families.
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: Not all dispersed sites accommodate larger vehicles. While some areas like Neil's Secret Spot welcome RVs ("Tents are welcome if you're in a jam"), access may be limited by road conditions.
Seasonal variations: Winter and spring can create challenging conditions for RV access. Free camping options near Remus become more limited during these seasons.
Low-traffic areas: Some dispersed sites offer quieter alternatives to established campgrounds. N.M. describes their preferred location as "Ghost Town camping at it's finest," suggesting minimal neighboring campers.
