Dispersed camping near Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan offers numerous free sites across the eastern Upper Peninsula's mixed forest terrain. This region sits at the northeastern edge of Hiawatha National Forest, where camping elevations range from 580 to 850 feet above sea level. Winter temperatures commonly drop below 0°F, while summer daytime highs typically reach 70-85°F with cooler evenings.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Multiple ponds and lake access points provide fishing spots throughout the region. At Castle Rock Ponds, campers report successful fishing experiences. "Good fishing in pond, caught a trout," notes one visitor who stayed for two nights in a 26' Winnebago.
Winter recreation: Snowshoeing and winter camping opportunities exist for those properly equipped for cold weather. The Lake Superior shoreline provides dramatic winter landscapes. "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 alone the lake beach. Fantastic!" reports a winter visitor to Lake Superior North Shore.
ATV riding: Several sites serve as staging areas for off-road vehicles with established trail systems. One camper at USFS 3536 notes, "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."
What campers like
Lakefront views: Several sites provide direct water access, with Huron and Superior shorelines being particular favorites. A visitor at Carp River Boat Launch describes it as having a "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."
Seasonal variations: Spring and fall visits offer different experiences than peak summer. At Search Bay Dispersed, an April visitor noted, "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."
Seclusion: Many sites provide true isolation, particularly in non-peak seasons. A camper at Wide Waters Dispersed observed, "We spent about an hour exploring the surrounding roads for a better spot but it's all residential with some narrow and overgrown logging roads. Ended up coming back down to this spot which is just a little parking round-about."
What you should know
Seasonal insect conditions: Mosquitoes and biting flies vary dramatically by season and location. A visitor to Mackinac Trail Spur Site had a different summer experience: "It is 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."
Vehicle accessibility concerns: Many access roads deteriorate seasonally, with some requiring high-clearance vehicles. "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 possibilty of getting stuck in sand traps," warns a visitor to USFS 3536.
Cell service variations: Connectivity varies significantly by location and carrier. One camper at USFS 3536 reported, "We found a good spot to tuck into for the night, while staying out of the way of all the trucks parked everywhere. Very quiet and serene. Zero cell service with Verizon but ATT had good service, mostly."
Tips for camping with families
Coordination with other users: Some sites see substantial day-use traffic. At Castle Rock Ponds, a visitor observed, "both days/nights there were people doing target shooting in the area so there was some pretty loud gunshots, if that's a deal breaker for you, I wouldn't recommend this spot."
Seasonal timing: Early fall offers reduced insect activity while maintaining reasonable temperatures. "Nice Camp sites, pretty beach. 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 a camper at Carp River Boat Launch.
Site selection strategy: Arrive early during peak season to secure preferred spots. At Search Bay, a camper noted, "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."
Tips from RVers
Vehicle size limitations: Most dispersed camping areas near Sault Ste. Marie accommodate smaller RVs only. At Wide Waters Dispersed Camping, a visitor explained, "Fairly large area of sandy meadow, interspersed with copses of trees to give a greater sense of privacy. A lot of truck traffic and ATVs during the day. Fairly good gravel road access, but once you're there, be careful not to get stuck in the sand."
Turnaround space: Some sites have limited maneuvering room for larger vehicles. At Castle Rock Ponds, a visitor noted, "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. A couple people were here with moderate sized RVs."
Leveling challenges: Sandy and uneven terrain requires leveling equipment. One Lake Superior North Shore visitor noted, "We are in a small travel trailer, 22', and there was room for our rig. There are a few spots with packed sand that are easy to drive in, but the middle path is pretty deep loose sand."
