Primitive camping near South Boardman, Michigan offers both lakeside and woodland settings in the northern Lower Peninsula. The area sits at approximately 1,100 feet elevation with sandy, acidic soil supporting stands of pine, oak, and maple trees. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing while summer camping season brings warm days with cool nights, particularly near water bodies.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Sand Lakes Quiet Area features multiple connected lakes with clear water fishing. According to Dan K., "Literally, some of the best fishing I have ever done. We caught so many bass we lost count. Well gave up counting. Like every other cast."
Trail exploration: Manistee River Trail Dispersed Camping offers excellent hiking with scenic views. Colin E. notes, "I've hiked and kayaked this trail on a few occasions and I can confidently say this is one of my favorite trails in all of Michigan. You have the option to do the loop, they allow dispersed camping, and there is plenty to see and do."
Swimming access: Government Landing provides river access for swimming, though conditions vary seasonally. Kevin D. reports, "Pond was warm/comfortable swimming temp even on a cold day but was full of seaweed which made swimming difficult/not enjoyable."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: The spacing between dispersed sites allows for solitude. At Manistee River Trail Dispersed Camping, Alyson M. observed, "All spots are very spread out so you get privacy at night. Spots for a fire and very peaceful!"
Quiet atmosphere: Many campers appreciate the peaceful environment at Sand Lakes Quiet Area Backcountry Campsites. Maddy T. described it as "Absolutely serene and secluded in the gorgeous northern Michigan wilderness."
Waterside camping options: Several sites offer proximity to lakes or rivers. Alyssa A. found Sand Lakes particularly appealing: "We didn't know too much about Sands Lake when we arrived, so we just drove in a few minutes and found a beautiful lake with a prime campsite next to it."
What you should know
Navigation challenges: Many dispersed sites require careful planning to locate. Katana H. mentions about Sand Lakes, "We arrived somewhat late on the first night and had a hard time finding a proper area to camp. We eventually popped up a small tent near a hiking trail to avoid getting lost."
Seasonal considerations: Campgrounds have different reservation requirements depending on time of year. For Government Landing Campground, Truly W. advises, "Free during the off season and reserving during the summertime just costs the reservation fee from recreation.gov."
Tick awareness: Some areas have reported tick issues. Josh D. warns about Manistee River Trail: "Think it's just this summer but I did pull 2 ticks off the dogs after this hike."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection strategies: Choose locations with easier access for children. At Lime Lake, Mike W. notes, "The campsite was very large with lots of spots to camp. Trails and a sizeable lake made it even better."
Water safety planning: Lakes have varied swimming conditions. Deven S. comments on Sand Lakes: "Very nice camp sites once we got set up we went down to fish and the lake is beautiful clear water and a lot of fish!"
Traffic awareness: Even remote sites may have some foot traffic. Jade M. observed at Lime Lake, "The 5th spot is kinda next to a walking trail so we did have a couple and a dog walk past but not late at night."
Tips from RVers
Access limitations: Many backcountry sites have difficult access for larger vehicles. At Government Landing Campground, Brittany D. cautions, "Camping with a 20ft trailer, It was very beautiful and peaceful stay. This was a very difficult site to turn around in with a trailer, would not advise anyone to bring a trailer down unless they are very confident."
Camp setup timing: Arrive early at first-come, first-served locations. Bruce L. shares about Government Landing, "I was there during September 2019 and was lucky to get a site. Every site was full. I hear it's darn near impossible to find an open site during June-August."
Alternative options: Goose Creek Trail Camp offers more structured camping for those wanting basic facilities. Lydia T. describes it as "Rustic state forest campground located near trails. Each site has its own fire pit and picnic table."
