Best Dispersed Camping near White Cloud, MI

White Cloud is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near White Cloud, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. Find the best campgrounds near White Cloud, MI. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near White Cloud, Michigan (9)

    1. Sawkaw Lake

    5 Reviews
    Bitely, MI
    16 miles
    Website

    "It was a great little dispersed camping spot. Brand new vaulted toilet, lake view and deep forest all around. Easy access to North Country Trail.

    Loved it!"

    "Found several spots around Sawkaw Lake, to include Little Half Moon Lake which is right next to it. Nice and quite."

    2. Sand Road Primitive Rustic Camping

    8 Reviews
    Whitehall, MI
    24 miles

    "Coordinates took me to a parking area that was blocked off and marked private property. I parked a ways down from this spot and just hiked in and camped."

    "There looks like there are trails off of the parking lot. No signs that say no overnight parking. I'm in a van and this worked great for me. Quiet area and right off the lake."

    3. Spruce Road Pulloff Dispersed

    1 Review
    Baldwin, MI
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 775-2421

    4. Neil's Secret Spot

    1 Review
    Baldwin, MI
    24 miles
    +1 (352) 480-8860

    "No outhouse yet but town is near. This is just down the road from Leverentz SpR."

    5. Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness - Green Road

    16 Reviews
    Free Soil, MI
    50 miles

    "First time boondocking in a national forest. Had a big sight all to myself. Spent some time cleaning up from the previous individual who didn't understand the phrase "Leave No Trace". "

    "This is our #1 boondocking area in Michigan (so far). This place is a hidden gem."

    6. Government Landing Campground

    5 Reviews
    Wellston, MI
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 775-2421

    "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."

    "Is a bathroom within walking distance of a few sites. No water fountain/pump that I was able to located but there were easy walkways down to pond."

    7. Green Road Dispersed - Manistee NF

    5 Reviews
    Ludington, MI
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 775-2421

    "Green road off of West Forest trail road south of Manistee Michigan. A wilderness area boundaries the campsite to the west, a short hike to the Nordhouse sand dunes."

    "Tons of free dispersed camping sites on both roads. Plenty of space between sites and from the main road."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near White Cloud, MI

35 Reviews of 9 White Cloud Campgrounds


  • Darwin N.
    Jul. 25, 2021

    Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness - Green Road

    NF dispersed camping

    First time boondocking in a national forest. Had a big sight all to myself. Spent some time cleaning up from the previous individual who didn't understand the phrase "Leave No Trace".  Other than that I had a great time.

  • Degen G.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 13, 2025

    Sand Road Primitive Rustic Camping

    Great area to explore

    Coordinates took me to a parking area that was blocked off and marked private property. I parked a ways down from this spot and just hiked in and camped. Very good area for those interested in back country camping and primitive camping, lots of forest to explore. There are also quite a few drive in sites as well for car camping. There was running water in a creek south of Sand Road.

  • Corey M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 24, 2022

    Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness - Green Road

    For Forest Dwellers and Lake Lovers

    This is our #1 boondocking area in Michigan (so far). This place is a hidden gem. Forest service roads will take you deep into the forests if your vehicle can handle it. 4WD is recommended if you want to go deep. There are plenty of great spots though for big rigs or for those without 4WD. 15-30 minute drive to Lake Michigan. Local convenience store is only a few miles down the road. Try this place out. You won’t regret it.

  • Bobbi Jo K.
    Oct. 13, 2020

    Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness - Green Road

    A Hidden Gem

    This was our first time boondocking in this area. It was beautiful, especially in the fall. Roads are great until you get to the road to camp. There are very large holes and dips, thankfully we found a spot right away before we got in far. Had a 19 foot trailer with high clearance (only trailer brave enough to camp here!). Very peaceful off the grid camping. Even had cell service!

  • Kimberly S.
    Jun. 22, 2021

    Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness - Green Road

    First time dispersed camping

    This was our first time trying out dispersed camping and this location was perfect! We loved being a short drive away from Lake Michigan and plenty of hiking trails. It is in a beautiful wooded area and there were hardly an mosquitos where we were. My only complaint is that the previous visitors at our campsite left trash everywhere and had clearly had fires in at least 4 different areas. The campsite was covered in ash because of it. It’s disappointing to see that some people really just don’t care about taking care of public land.

  • Alyson M.
    Jul. 20, 2022

    Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness - Green Road

    My Go-To Camping spot

    I’ve camped here many times, in summer, fall, and spring. The campsites are large and spread out so you get a bit of privacy. It can get busy on weekends since many people know about this spot. It is a short drive to the beach and nordhouse dunes which is known for hammock camping on the beach so you have options. The last 2 times I’ve went there was lots of trash at the campsites, which is very upsetting. Please follow “Leave No Trace” ethics so we can keep enjoying this space.

  • Connor N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 9, 2021

    Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness - Green Road

    Nice boondocking spot with access to Lake Michigan!

    Spent a few nights here enjoying Manistee National Forest and Lake Michigan. During our stay we relocated from our original site to a bigger site further down the road heading south. Sites ranged from spacious to road-side turnouts with a wide range between. Verizon service was fair. Road access was fair as well but better suited for smaller rigs due to tight roads and numerous curves. Will definitely stay again next time we visit Michigan!

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Green Road Dispersed - Manistee NF

    Manistee National Forest dispersed campsite

    This is such a beautiful site, we stayed here a few days two years ago. Green road off of West Forest trail road south of Manistee Michigan. A wilderness area boundaries the campsite to the west, a short hike to the Nordhouse sand dunes. Many sites were available to us, we chose to utilize our favorite site.

  • J
    Aug. 1, 2025

    Sand Road Primitive Rustic Camping

    Wrong Location

    The coordinates lead you to a state that park if it is off sand road or Russell road it’s 30 minutes out for where coordinates are. Struggled to find any primitive camping anywhere nearby.


Guide to White Cloud

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near White Cloud, Michigan, where nature enthusiasts can enjoy serene landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities. This area offers a range of options for those looking to escape into the wild without the constraints of traditional campgrounds.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near White Cloud, Michigan

  • When visiting Sand Road Primitive Rustic Camping, be prepared for a rustic experience, as there are no reservable sites and amenities are minimal.
  • Always check the location before heading out; some visitors have reported discrepancies in GPS directions, particularly for Sawkaw Lake, which can lead you to nearby areas instead of the actual site.
  • Bring your own firewood and drinking water, as many spots like Spruce Road Pulloff Dispersed do not provide these essentials.

Activities to enjoy while free camping near White Cloud

Dispersed campers should check out Sawkaw Lake

  • The picturesque views at Sawkaw Lake make it a great spot for photography and enjoying nature's tranquility.
  • This area is known for its spacious sites, allowing for a comfortable camping experience, even during busier times.
  • Wildlife enthusiasts will find plenty of opportunities to observe local fauna, as the area around Sawkaw Lake is rich in biodiversity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near White Cloud, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near White Cloud, MI is Sawkaw Lake with a 4.8-star rating from 5 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near White Cloud, MI?

TheDyrt.com has all 9 dispersed camping locations near White Cloud, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.