Sandy forest roads and the ghost of an old airfield define the character of this dispersed site along USFS Road 3536 in Hiawatha National Forest. Access from M-28 is straightforward, but the sandy trails branching off the main road can trap vehicles without four-wheel drive. Campers with standard passenger cars should think carefully before committing. A concrete pad on the west side of a rock barrier marks one established camping area, while a secondary path closer to M-28 runs toward the old airfield and catches more sun.
Cell service here depends on your carrier. Verizon users have reported no signal, while AT&T and T-Mobile have worked with occasional drops. One reviewer found a workable spot for T-Mobile closer to M-28, though Starlink had no luck at the main coordinates. The site sits near a military base, so some ambient light at night is noticeable, and highway noise from M-28 carries to the airfield-adjacent area.
Crowd patterns vary by season and weekend. The main concrete pad draws ATV riders who trailer in, stage their gear, and head out for the day, returning by late afternoon. Holiday weekends in particular see heavier use, and arriving campers may find the primary area already occupied by established groups. Laura M. notes that visitors were "surprisingly quiet and respectful," though the dynamic can shift depending on who else is there. No amenities exist here. Pack out everything you bring in, and Soldier Lake to the west is a nearby alternative if this spot is full.
Description
Dispersed camping is allowed on Hiawatha National Forest lands except developed recreation and administrative sites, campgrounds and designated campsites. The following restrictions apply:
Your stay is limited to 16 days. After this period, your camping equipment and all persons must move to another site at least one mile away, for an additional stay, not to exceed 16 days. Do not block any roads or restrict access to National Forest lands by others. Follow “Leave No Trace” principles (See https://lnt.org/why/7-principles) so that public lands will remain clean and attractive for others to enjoy. Camping in areas posted closed is prohibited. Camping within fifty (50) feet of a body of water is prohibited, unless otherwise posted. (Exceptions include Grand Island National Recreation Area (100 feet from water, cliff edge, private property, trails, other campsites, special use recreation residences or recreation developments) and Big Island Lake Wilderness (200 feet from water). Do not camp at boat launches. On lakes with designated or reservable campsites, you may not set up your campsite within 400 feet of the shoreline anywhere on the lake. Note that camping reservations are required for these lakes: Bass Lake, Bear Lake, Camp Cook, Carr Lake, Chicago Lake, Cookson Lake, Council Lake, Crooked Lake, East Lake, Ewing Point, Gooseneck Lake, lronjaw Lake, Jackpine Lake, Lake Nineteen, Leg Lake, Lyman Lake, McKeever Cabin, Minerva Lake, Mowe Lake, Steuben Lake, Swan Lake, Toms Lake Cabin, and Triangle Lake.
Group size can impact the land. Travel and camp in small groups. Place tents in cleared tent spaces if one is available. If not, find an opening at least 200 feet from water and trails, where understory vegetation or timber will not need to be cut or removed. Please stay at least ¼ mile away from developed campgrounds.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsUSFS 3536 Dispersed Site is located in Michigan near Eckerman
Coordinates
46.35276778604294 N
84.82903811659388 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage
VerizonLTESome Coverage
AT&T5GExcellent Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&T5GExcellent Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Phone Service
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
DISPERSED CAMPING
Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if USFS 3536 Dispersed Site needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 46 min from Traverse City, MI
- 3 hrs 12 min from Midland, MI
- 3 hrs 15 min from Bay City, MI
- 3 hrs 58 min from Green Bay, WI
