Sand Road Primitive Rustic Camping, near the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan, is a no-frills spot perfect for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle. This area is all about embracing nature, with plenty of room for both families and solo campers to find their ideal spot among the trees.

Visitors rave about the stunning scenery, with some great riverside camping options that make for a picturesque backdrop. The freedom to have campfires and the fact that it’s free are big draws for many. One happy camper shared, “Camp here every year! Perfect for big families or even solo camp!” 

While the amenities are minimal—no drinking water, electric hookups, or toilets—this rustic experience is what many come for. It’s a chance to truly disconnect and enjoy the great outdoors. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to bring your own supplies and be prepared for a bit of adventure, as some reviewers noted that the directions can be tricky.

If you’re up for exploring, the surrounding area offers trails and access to the lake, making it a great spot for those who enjoy hiking or simply soaking in the natural beauty. Just remember to pack out what you pack in, as there are no trash facilities. Whether you’re looking to pitch a tent or park your van, Sand Road provides a laid-back atmosphere for a memorable camping experience.

Sand Road Primitive Rustic Camping

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Whitehall

The Best Camping Near Whitehall, Michigan

Free rusty camping. You can get RVs in there but will need 4x4. Hits the name. Sand Rd.

Rustic camping

The directions take you to a parking lot. 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. 

Nice spot for van camping

Camp here every year! Perfect for big families or even solo camp! Spots big and small plenty to choose from and even some great riverside camping! 

Perfect 

Site 2

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.

Great area to explore

Arrived to the campsite around 5pm, everything was fantastic. Fire pit, and large open, wooded area all to ourselves. We loved it. However, once we got a fire lit, and the sunlight started to leave for the night we heard a pack of coyotes nearby. Deciding to press on, we shrugged it off hoping this was just a one off. 3 hours later, we hear them again. Only, this time we could tell they were even closer. We decided to head to the car and reevaluate our plan, but decided to stay a little longer before calling it quits. Not 30 mins later, the coyotes were back again, but even closer. They were less than 100 yards away from us, and we had no choice but to stay in our tent, and wait for them to pass while holding our protection in hand. We decided it was time to pack up and leave this time.

  

Please be aware, when camping here you may be in coyote territory, and they don’t seem to like it. So, maybe not a great spot for kids, or smaller pets.

Great Campsite, but couldn’t stay overnight.

This spot is wonderful, but boy howdy does it live up to its name. If you do not have AWD and good ground clearance, don’t even try to get there.

Photos of Sand Road Primitive Rustic Camping

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