Dispersed camping near St. Ignace, Michigan is concentrated in the Hiawatha National Forest, which spans nearly 900,000 acres across the Upper Peninsula. The area sits at approximately 600 feet elevation with Lake Huron to the east and Lake Michigan to the west. Free camping options follow seasonal patterns, with most sites becoming inaccessible during winter months when snow accumulation can exceed 100 inches annually.
What to do
Northern lights viewing: Castle Rock Ponds provides dark sky conditions ideal for aurora viewing. "Perfect for tent or car campers. There was one other camper with a pop up camper and looked to be doing great. The road was long but worth the drive back!" reports Joran B.
Beach access: Carp River Boat Launch offers direct water access. "Beautiful view of lake Huron. Labor Day weekend and no one else is here except the ubiquitous mosquitoes. Easy in and easy out on a good gravel road. Access to Lake Huron," notes Vidalia S.
Wildflower observation: During summer months, camping areas burst with native wildflowers. At Mackinac Trail Spur Site, one camper observed "a beautiful area that has flowers blooming. The monarch butterflies are dancing on them. You travel down a sand road but then turn left in a grassy area."
What campers like
Seasonal solitude: October through early May typically offers the most secluded experiences. "I was there in October, so I don't know what it would be like in warmer weather. I had the place to myself on a Saturday," reports Barry M. about his experience at Search Bay Dispersed.
Easy accessibility: Many sites require minimal off-road capability. At Castle Rock Ponds, "Easy to get to camping spot with multiple camping sites overlooking ponds. A couple miles down a nice gravel road that any kind of car could make it down," according to Evan D.
Water views: Several sites offer unobstructed lake and pond views. "Just minutes off of 75 down a well maintained gravel road are the Castle Rock ponds. Decent flat parking around the ponds, with plenty of room for at least 6 rigs," notes Gary N.
What you should know
Variable road conditions: Access roads range from well-maintained to challenging. "We drove a 24 ft RV at night to the site and the road is decent but has MANY deep potholes. So you need to watch for that!" warns Hannah W. about Carp River Boat Launch.
Site availability fluctuations: Holiday weekends see significantly higher usage. "Great sites here (so many to choose from all across the water). Each have their own fire pits. We are here in late April so with the chilly weather there isn't a soul in site," explains Dylan D.
Limited trash facilities: All dispersed sites require pack-in/pack-out protocols. "Tons of sites here and most are easily accessible with just about any car. Unfortunately it's quite popular and there's lots of trash in some areas," reports Joel C. at Search Bay.
Tips for camping with families
Insect preparation: Bug activity varies significantly by site and season. "I must have had a good night as the bugs were at a minimum," reports Luke T. about Castle Rock Ponds, while another camper noted, "I don't know if it's just that I came at the right time but didn't see a single mosquito in three days, nor was I bothered by any other bug."
Water access considerations: Beach sites have specific regulations. "The bay is calm and beach nice. There are some logging activities, so some noise every once in awhile. But for free camping in the southern side of the UP, this is a home run," notes Rebecca B.
Site selection timing: Arriving midweek substantially improves site options. "Good roads. Sites everywhere. People have cleared sites and set up fire rings down the shore road. Bring bugspray," advises Michael U.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Many access roads restrict larger RVs. At USFS 3536 Dispersed Site, "These are sandy trails that lead nowhere in particular and I guess you camp on the side in the trees. You can't get down there with a regular vehicle without the possibility of getting stuck in sand traps. I would say you should have 4 wheel drive and a tent," cautions Victoria K.
Connectivity challenges: Cell service varies by provider and location. "Poor T-Mobile connectivity and no hope for Starlink. On an offshoot of the FS Road closer to M-28, there is a single path towards the airfield. We camped there. Some highway noise, but a little more sun and great T-Mobile," notes Rebecca B.
Parking considerations: Some sites have limited level spaces. "Just parked off to the side of the road near the boat launch and had a view of the water! Very secluded feeling and peaceful!" reports Hannah W. regarding practical RV parking options.
