Dispersed camping sites around Wetmore, Michigan offer wilderness experiences within the Hiawatha National Forest. The area features sandy soil and mixed hardwood forests at approximately 800-900 feet elevation. Winter temperatures frequently drop below 0°F while summer averages 70-80°F with frequent rainfall, creating challenging road conditions on forest service routes.
What to do
Paddling opportunities: Multiple lakes near Ironjaw Lake Dispersed Campsite provide excellent kayaking. "Great site located between two lakes," notes Ben L., who appreciated the dual-lake access from a single campsite. Early season visitors may encounter fewer people but need to prepare for obstacles, as Willow M. found when they "had to clear a bunch of down trees to get down the road."
Snowmobiling access: Winter recreation areas become camping spots in summer. The Adams Trail Dirt Lot serves as a snowmobile parking area in winter but offers flat, spacious camping during warmer months. Nikki V. describes it as "ideal for camper vans, or car camping. Close enough to Pictured rocks."
Beach exploration: Despite changing regulations at some Superior shoreline sites, quiet beaches remain accessible. Nathan B. found at Lake Superior Beachfront that "you'll have a front row seat to the lake. My hammock was almost over the water."
What campers like
Privacy levels: Many campers value the isolation at dispersed sites. At Hickey Marsh Dispersed Camping, Amy Y. found it "a great spot, very private and easy to access." The area provides limited interaction with other visitors, making it suitable for those seeking solitude.
Open camping areas: Adams Trail Dirt Lot offers substantial space. Laura M. reports: "Lot is huge - easy turnaround for larger rigs" and notes "we parked along the end, in case a truck came by to pick up a load of gravel." The location provides ample room to spread out equipment.
Natural surroundings: Despite some challenges, the natural setting draws visitors. Laura M. described Adams Trail as having "beautiful flowers everywhere" and being "very quiet and peaceful." These rustic sites lack amenities but compensate with undeveloped natural environments.
What you should know
Road accessibility issues: Forest roads present significant challenges, particularly for trailers. At Herman Lake Dispersed, suzanne C. encountered "a very deeply rutted and muddy one lane road in for about 1.5-2 miles" and cautions they "do not recommend towing down this road" despite making it through with their 21-foot trailer.
Insect pressure: Mosquitoes present problems at many sites. Amy Y. warns that at Hickey Marsh "the mosquitoes were pretty bad when we visited." Proximity to water bodies increases insect activity, with Brad W. reporting "Tons of mosquitos right next to a small danky pond" at Coalwood Trail.
Navigational challenges: GPS reliability varies significantly throughout the region. Ben L. advises that for Ironjaw Lake "your best directions will come from locating the site on your GPS and dropping a pin. That took us straight to the location no problem." However, Bella G. had the opposite experience, reporting coordinates "that are actually an hour away from the site."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection criteria: Choose established sites with evidence of previous use. Hunter W. notes at Hickey Marsh Dispersed Camping "you will see campfire remnants and a spot where people tend to park on the left." These indicators help identify appropriate camping locations.
Communication planning: Cell service varies drastically between sites. Hunter W. found "cell service with Verizon was shockingly good" at Hickey Marsh, while Laura M. reported "Zero cell reception for Verizon or ATT" at Adams Trail Dirt Lot. Families should plan accordingly for emergency communications.
Weather preparations: Rain can rapidly deteriorate road conditions. Suzanne C. cut their Herman Lake stay short because "Rain was expected the following day so we only chanced it for one night afraid a tree would block the road and the mud would get worse."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: RV size restrictions vary by location. Naomi L. recommends for Hickey Marsh Dispersed Camping: "We pulled in a 15 foot trailer and turned it around but wouldn't go much bigger." Tim managed with "26 foot travel trailer" and stayed "hooked up to it" but site availability for larger rigs remains limited.
Pre-arrival research: Regulations change frequently at dispersed sites. Rachel S. found at Lake Superior Beachfront "signs posted just about everywhere 'no camping or overnight parking'" while Bayou G. confirmed seeing "several signs saying 'No Camping' and 'Day Use Only,'" contradicting older reviews of the area.
Self-containment requirements: No amenities exist at most sites. Laura M. notes Adams Trail has "Nothing in this lot other than a large pile of crushed rock and an old orange contraption," emphasizing the need for complete self-sufficiency when rustic camping near Wetmore, Michigan.
