Best Dispersed Camping near Whitehall, MI
Several free dispersed camping areas surround Whitehall, Michigan, with the highest concentration along Sand Road and within Manistee National Forest. Sand Road Primitive Rustic Camping requires AWD and good ground clearance to access, with visitors noting "if you can get there, fantastic." The area features wooded sites suitable for both tent and small RV camping, with some riverside spots available. Fire rings are present at established sites, but no drinking water, toilets or other amenities exist.
Approximately 30-45 minutes from Whitehall, Green Road in Manistee National Forest offers approximately 15 dispersed sites with varying levels of privacy. These sites provide access to nearby Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness and Lake Michigan Recreation Area. A visitor commented these spots are "spread out enough that you aren't on top of neighbors" and "we couldn't see anyone from our site." Sawkaw Lake, near Bitely, features large lakeside sites with a vault toilet but limited privacy between camping spots. Most dispersed areas maintain the standard 14-day camping limit, and campers should practice proper waste management as trash service is not provided.
