Best Dispersed Camping in Michigan
Michigan's public lands offer extensive dispersed camping opportunities across national forests and wilderness areas. The Huron-Manistee National Forest provides numerous free camping options with both designated and undesignated sites along forest roads and trails. Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness features popular dispersed camping along Green Road, with sites ranging from spacious clearings to roadside pull-offs. Along Lake Superior's North Shore, campers find remote beachfront sites accessible by gravel roads. The Sand Lakes Quiet Area offers backcountry tent camping with basic amenities like toilets, while the Manistee River Trail provides hike-in tent sites along its approximately 20-mile loop.
Road conditions vary significantly throughout Michigan's dispersed camping areas, with many requiring careful navigation. As one camper noted, "Roads are great until you get to the road to camp. There are very large holes and dips." Four-wheel drive is recommended for accessing deeper forest sites, particularly after rain. Cell service is inconsistent across most areas, with Verizon coverage reported as "fair" in some locations and completely absent in others. Seasonal considerations include spring mud, summer insects, and winter accessibility. Many campers report black flies and mosquitoes as significant concerns, with one visitor advising: "Bring a bug hat and plenty of bug spray unfortunately it's a hotbed for black flies and skeeters."
Waterfront access represents a major draw for Michigan's dispersed camping. Sites along Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, and the Manistee River receive consistently high ratings from visitors. Campers frequently mention the privacy afforded by well-spaced sites, particularly in the Nordhouse Dunes area where "campsites are large and spread out." Weekend crowding is common at popular locations, especially during summer months. Several reviews mention concerns about trash and improper fire practices at some sites, with multiple campers noting they spent time cleaning up after previous visitors. Winter camping opportunities exist at several locations, with one visitor reporting successful snow camping along Lake Superior's North Shore: "Road is covered with heavy snow, no issue with an AWD camper van."
