Top Free Dispersed Camping near Tawas City, MI

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Tawas City, MI (1)

    Camper-submitted photo from Huron-Manistee National Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Huron-Manistee National Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Huron-Manistee National Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Huron-Manistee National Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Huron-Manistee National Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Huron-Manistee National Forest

    1. Huron-Manistee National Forest

    9 Reviews
    35 Photos
    178 Saves

    Lying between the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron in the northern half of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, the nearly one-million-acre Huron-Manistee National Forests are located in a transition zone between forested lands to the north and agricultural lands to the south. The Huron-Manistee National Forests contain rare ecological features, such as dry sand prairie remnants, coastal marshlands, dunes, oak savannahs, fens, bogs and marshes. Working hand in hand with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and other partners, the Huron-Manistee National Forests have made great progress in recovering these lands but a great deal of work remains, much of which is being done through partnerships.The Huron-Manistee National Forests provide recreation opportunities for visitors, habitat for fish and wildlife, and resources for local industry.

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Recent Dispersed Reviews In Tawas City

9 Reviews of 1 Tawas City Campgrounds


  • Jessica D.
    Camper-submitted photo from Huron-Manistee National Forest
    Jul. 13, 2022

    Huron-Manistee National Forest

    Backcountry camping experience

    I have dispersed camped here twice now and each time is such a pleasure, the trails are always so maintained, the sites are easy to find and always marked. Defiantly one of my favorites! and this isn’t far from the sleeping dunes national lakeshore or the empire bluff trail which is a must!

  • Megan C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Huron-Manistee National Forest
    Aug. 9, 2018

    Huron-Manistee National Forest

    Great for backpacking

    Hiked five days, four nights. Connects to NCT. Bring toilet paper. Water is stream is probably safe but bring a filter or enough water to last. No campgrounds, but there are areas with clearings for camping. The nearest other campers were not within earshot nor could we see them. Lots of wildlife.

  • Megan C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Huron-Manistee National Forest
    Aug. 9, 2018

    Huron-Manistee National Forest

    Great for Backpacking!

    We walked this trail for 5 days and 4 nights. Cell service was spotty, which was the goal. Lots of wildlife and great views. You need to carry everything out that you carry in. Bring a garden trowel and toilet paper. There are streams with decent drinking water but I would recommend a filter anyways. Connects to the north country trail. We parked at seton valley campground and paid $9 for Peking.

  • Rachael M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Huron-Manistee National Forest
    Aug. 5, 2018

    Huron-Manistee National Forest

    Beautiful well-maintained campground near the Lake Michigan shire.

    Quiet, spacious sites spaced far apart in a wooded area. Four different loops divided the whole camp into regions. Signage got us to the beach easily. Staff were friendly and helpful. Flushing toilets in Orchid loop where we were. No showers.

  • Maggie M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Huron-Manistee National Forest
    Aug. 4, 2018

    Huron-Manistee National Forest

    We weren’t planning to camp but...

    but we were blown away! The dunes along the river seem out of place, and wonderfully so. you could spend so much tIme here, climbing around, swimming, kayaking, and enjoying the views. We keep our Jeep ready for camping at any moment and places like this are why we do it. We just had to stay, and I am so excited to go back in the fall. I know this says no pets but we were able to bring our dog and saw many other dogs enjoying the park as well!

  • Brenda M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Huron-Manistee National Forest
    Jul. 21, 2018

    Huron-Manistee National Forest

    Manistee River trail is absolutely gorgeous.

    Thw campground itself was very nice...it was our starting point for our family hiking/backpacking/camping trip this year. We had 11 Grandkids with us, and we had 9 backpacking tents. The children all carried their own tents , sleeping bags, and food for 4 days. The River trail supplied us with our water needs for cooking and drinking, from the Manistee River. It was a fun trip for all.

  • Agapes D.
    Camper-submitted photo from Huron-Manistee National Forest
    Jun. 12, 2018

    Huron-Manistee National Forest

    Beautiful but busy-May 2018

    this is a vast area in which there are many campground sites with some opportunities for dispersed camping. Use a GPS system or a program to ensure you are not in private property. Have at least 3 sites as possibilities. We specifically stayed at the site at the end of Goverment’s Landing on the river. It was amazing, my husband, myself and our two dogs had a wonderful time. We hiked al through the forest, tried lots of cool gear and discovered a new love for camping and nature. This was 4 weeks ago, we have since beeen to Wisconsin and in 2 weeks we will head to Iowa for more camping! Get out there!

  • Anna C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Huron-Manistee National Forest
    May. 14, 2017

    Huron-Manistee National Forest

    Ranger Review: Leatherman Surge at the Huron-Manistee National Forest Backcountry

    Campground Review:

    One of my favorite things to do in the Huron-Manistee National Forest is to spend the weekend backpacking the ~20 mile loop up the North County Trail and back down the Manistee River Trail. I love this loop trail because you can hike in and out without having to backtrack or coordinate a ride back to your parked car.

    This forest area is unique because it offers large changes in elevation that you do not typically get in Michigan, especially not in the lower peninsula. There's the perfect mix along the trail of designated and undesignated-dispersed campsites and I have yet to encounter a spot that didn't seem perfect.

    As the trail both runs above and along the Manistee river with each mile, you have ample opportunity to camp both ridge-side and river-side. Do what I did and spend one night at the riverbank and one on a hilltop and you'll have the best of both worlds. The only possible con I encountered along the way was that a few single-track roads run through the forest area and you can occasionally hear ATV/4-wheeler traffic at certain parts, but it always subsides by dark.

    ............................

    Gear Review:

    As a Dyrt Ranger, I also get products to test and review in the field. For this trek, I brought with me the Leatherman Surge. I must admit, I was a little overwhelmed at first by the capacity of this device to do just about anything and nervous I would spend more time fiddling for the correct tool than actually using it. Those fears, however, quickly dissolved away and I was wielding this tool like a pro in no time. The design and features of the Surge are incredibly intuitive and easily mastered. The top 2 things I love about this tool specifically in the camping setting include:

    1. It's durable. On those days where my pack seems double its usual size, I know I can cram my bag full and not worry about my Surge bending or breaking.
    2. It packs a punch. And a kick. And a jab. From opening a fresh bottle of beer to whittling extra stakes for wind tie downs, this tool does it all. I no longer have to worry about bringing a pocket knife, scissors, bottle opener or pliers. I love how leatherman products enable me to economize my pack weight and space without having to sacrifice on versatility.


Guide to Tawas City

Camping near Tawas City, Michigan, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Explore the beaches: Many campgrounds, like Tawas Point State Park Campground, have stunning beaches. One camper mentioned, "Two swimming beaches. Dog beach. A few trails to walk on, not many to ride bikes."
  • Visit local attractions: Check out the Tawas Point Lighthouse. A reviewer noted, "The lighthouse here, which you can climb for a few bucks, is a nice little gift shop next to it."
  • Enjoy water activities: Kayaking and fishing are popular. A camper at Au Sable River Primitive Camping said, "Kayaking only to get there was SUCH a fun experience!"

What campers like:

  • Scenic views: Campers rave about the beautiful surroundings. One visitor at Port Crescent State Park Campground said, "The nature and wildlife there are simply amazing and the sunsets on the beach were incredible."
  • Clean facilities: Many campgrounds pride themselves on cleanliness. A reviewer at Bay City State Park Campground mentioned, "Showers/restrooms are good, cleaned twice a day."
  • Friendly staff: Campers appreciate helpful staff. A visitor at Harrisville State Park Campground noted, "The staff was very friendly the next morning."

What you should know:

  • Crowded on weekends: Many campgrounds can get busy, especially on weekends. A camper at Tawas Point State Park Campground said, "It can get really packed here on weekends."
  • Limited reservations: Some campgrounds, like South Higgins Lake State Park Campground, can be hard to book. A visitor mentioned, "Getting a site here during the summer can be very difficult."
  • Rustic amenities: If you prefer a more primitive experience, Ossineke State Forest Campground offers a rustic feel. A camper shared, "The vault toilets were clean, odor was minimal."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose spacious sites: Look for campgrounds with larger sites. A family at Albert E. Sleeper State Park Campground said, "Good spacious spots. Many sites are wide so they lend themselves to good group camping."
  • Check for kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds have playgrounds and splash pads. A reviewer at Bay City State Park Campground noted, "Great newer playscape and splash pad for the kids."
  • Plan for quiet hours: Be mindful of noise levels, especially during quiet hours. A camper at Harrisville State Park Campground mentioned, "We were warned about noise levels, which was a bit surprising."

Tips from RVers:

  • Be cautious with big rigs: Some campgrounds have tight roads. A visitor at Tawas Point State Park Campground advised, "Big rigs, note that the roads can be tight, especially when inconsiderate campers crowd the road."
  • Book early: Popular sites fill up fast. A camper at South Higgins Lake State Park Campground said, "You will want one of these sites, you will need to be ready to book the site 6 months in advance."
  • Bring extra cords: Some sites may require extension cords for electric hookups. A reviewer at Bay City State Park Campground mentioned, "Recommend to have extension cord for some sites, as plug in can be far."

Camping near Tawas City, Michigan, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the beautiful outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Tawas City, MI?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Tawas City, MI is Huron-Manistee National Forest with a 5-star rating from 9 reviews.