Best Dispersed Camping near Spring Lake, MI
Dispersed camping near Spring Lake, Michigan includes two primary options: Sand Road Primitive Rustic Camping and Sawkaw Lake. Sand Road offers free primitive camping with both drive-in and hike-in access points. The area features multiple rustic sites scattered throughout forested terrain, with some spots located near a creek south of Sand Road. Sawkaw Lake, located near Bitely, provides similar primitive camping opportunities with drive-in access and basic vault toilets, unlike Sand Road which has no facilities.
Access to Sand Road requires careful navigation as the name suggests. The sandy terrain demands vehicles with all-wheel drive and good ground clearance, with several campers reporting difficult driving conditions. One review noted, "If you do not have AWD and good ground clearance, don't even try to get there." Coordinates for Sand Road camping can be inconsistent, with some visitors reporting they lead to private property or a parking area rather than actual campsites. Fires are permitted at both locations, though neither offers drinking water, electric hookups, or other amenities. Permits are required for Sand Road but not for Sawkaw Lake.
The camping experience varies between these dispersed areas. Sand Road provides larger sites suitable for groups, with some riverside camping options available. The area supports both car camping at drive-in sites and more remote backcountry experiences for those willing to hike in. Wildlife is active in the region, with multiple reports of coyote activity at Sand Road. Sawkaw Lake offers a more tranquil setting with lake views and access to hiking trails, including the North Country Trail. The sites at Sawkaw tend to be closer together but offer scenic views. According to one camper, "It was a great little dispersed camping spot with brand new vaulted toilet, lake view and deep forest all around."
