Located in west-central Michigan, in the Manistee National Forest, Whelan Lake offers primitive dispersed camping. Besides these USFS-managed lands, there is also a network of State Forests in Michigan, and dispersed camping is allowed in these as well. Our dispersed camping checklist has all the camping essentials plus specific items for dispersed camping. You will also be able to see all rustic state forest campgrounds as well as the boundaries of the State Forests. A short, 7-mile hike along the bluffs of the Au Sable River will provide day hikers with some of the best, and most dramatic, views of the Au Sable River, where hikers or skiers will be able to look over the river valley, with clear views almost to Lake Huron in some spots. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We answer your questions about Boondocking, Free Camping, and Overnight Parking using facts and actual experiences. The dispersed sites along Green Road vary from simple pull outs on the side of the road, to larger areas that feel a bit more secluded. For additional information on our Wild and Scenic Rivers. Dispersed camping is generally limited to 14 days within any continuous 30 day period. The roads can be rough, but its still suitable for any size RV or vehicle. Things to remember when disperse camping: The campsite must not be located in a designated state park, recreation area, rustic state forest campground, or game area. Green Road dispersed camping is in Free Soil, Michigan. 517-741-7004. Michigan is one of the Midwests best camping destinations. First Michigan dispersed camping area Ill be taking a look at is the Hovey Lake Dispersed Campground. Read more about Hovey Lake Campground on FreeRoam. Youll be right next to the Robbins Pond itself and therell be nothing but miles of wonderful nature in every direction. Learn how to plan your route, create GPS files, navigate offline, and even print you own maps. However, before setting out on your Michigan dispersed camping adventure, youll want to equip yourself with some good background information. In general, with a little knowledge of where to look, experience navigating forest service roads, reading USFS maps, and camping in remote locations, you should be able to find plenty of dispersed campsites in Michigan. You can access the Camp Registration Card here. Looking for more dispersed camping content? This is a simple form to fill out, but you must do so in advance and print out to post at your campsite. During the summer the river is popular with canoers and kayakers, while during the fall salmon season, sites such as Suicide Bend and Sawdust Hole are popular with anglers. In other words, always try to cross-reference the info provided by these websites and apps with the official maps and other resources supplied by the public agencies. Wildlife species that commonly inhabit this area include white-tailed deer, bobcat, coyote, red fox, raccoon, porcupine, squirrels, pileated woodpecker, ruffed grouse, wild turkey and various songbirds. It is a designated "Blue Ribbon" cold-water trout stream, with fishing being the second most popular activity on the river. To print on 8 1/2 x 11 paper set the print area to "shrink to printable area", this will make the text on the page smaller. By the evening, this campground fills up. There is no camping within 400 feet of the Lake Michigan shoreline in the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area. There are a plethora of activities to participate in, accessing the zone is as easy as it gets, and its campsites are well spread out. Not the case. Here, you will find about 20 dispersed campsites in total. While camping at the McKinley Trail Camp, youll be able to visit the Shore to Shore Horse Trail and the Au Sable River. These State Forests are located throughout Michigan, and are a true hidden gem for campers. The river is wide and characterized by steep banks and sharp bends, with a swift current and mostly slow, wide bends. WebDispersed camping is acceptable on National Forest System lands away from developed campgrounds, nearly anywhere your camping equipment and/or vehicle does not block Great place to take kids for swimming, fishing, and kayaking. Crazy Jug Point offers lip-of-the-canyon car side camping that blows away the notion that Grand Canyons grandeur comes with a crowd. To the west of Whelan Lake youll find the town of Ludington as well as some nice beaches on Lake Michigan. Located deep within Michigans most breathtaking National Forest Hiawatha the Haymeadow Creek is actually a formal campground. The designated Wilderness area is a protected natural space, an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain. The Dyrt PRO is our favorite resource for planning your trip. The trail is mostly on a 0 - 10% grade, with some short sections at a 30% grade. This is a very popular campground, so youll want to get here early in the afternoon to secure a site. You can, of course, also contact the local field offices for the most up-to-date info. They will, however, help you navigate a plethora of Forest Service roads running through Michigans National Forests. This is dispersed camping in Michigan at its finest! Read more about Sturgeon River Campground on FreeRoam. Read more about Whelan Lake on FreeRoam. This map allows you to see state forest boundaries as well as rustic state forest campgrounds and look for areas that permit dispersed camping. All Huron-Manistee National Forests Offices, https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/hmnf/recreation/camping-cabins/?recid=18536&actid=34, Huron-Manistee National Forests completes Slagle Creek bridge project, Don't Move Firewood! Wildlife abounds and fishing is a popular activity. The recreation sites in this area are all located on the Lake Michigan shoreline or within driving distance of the lake. To print on 8 1/2 x 11 paper set the print area to "shrink to printable area", this will make the text on the page smaller. WebOlympic National Forest Dispersed Camping The Olympic Peninsula is an outdoor enthusiasts dream with access to mountains, sea, and the only temperate rainforest in the United States. An official website of the
There are six of them in total and all are supervised by the DNR (Department of Natural Resources for Michigan). Even if youre not planning on bringing horses, this is still a great place to dispersed camp given the location. Hike the stairway down to the wanigan, a loggers floating kitchen, or take the short trail to the dune observation deck. In addition, I will also provide some general advice on this type of outdoor activity where is dispersed camping allowed, what you should pack for it, and other important considerations. A waterfall near the northern end of the trail is very popular with many hikers. This is because animals usually dig these things up and scatter them throughout the wilderness. This would be the State Forest Map, supplied by the Department of Natural Resources for Michigan. Use only plain water and biodegradable soap. Restrooms:Vault toiletWater:NoCrowds:ModerateMap. Links to the relevant MVUMs for Michigans National Forests are below: One of our favorite things about dispersed camping is the lack of permits, reservations, and other requirements youll often find at developed campgrounds. Located south of Munising in the Hiawatha National Forest, Pete's Lake Recreation Area has 41 rustic sites, including two for walk-in campers. While it doesnt have any reliable water sources, the Marzinski Horse Trail Camp has vault toilets. Its one of the prettiest campgrounds for sunsets! If you feel up to it, you can likely get away with camping here, as long as you stay out of the way of logging trucks. This free camping area has all the hallmarks of great dispersed camping in Michigan. There are only seven campsites here, and they do fill up fast. Official websites use .gov A .gov
To put it simply, you can freely pitch your tent in any of the three National Forests located in this U.S. state (Ill talk more about these below). While horseback riders use this area frequently, you dont have to have a horse to camp here. Just like in the case of almost all other Upper Peninsula camping areas, you will want to come to this place well-prepared. Read more about Bock Road at FreeRoam. We recommend using a combination of online apps/websites and USFS maps to find dispersed campsites. While this is a formal campground, there are many dispersed camping opportunities in the immediate vicinity of Haymeadow Creek. To make sure youre taking the correct route to this lovely place, I would recommend using Google Maps together with the official USFS map for the area. The picnic shelter is a Civilian Conservation Corps construction from the mid 1940's. While the number of camping spots may seem small, keep in mind that all of them are very roomy youll have no trouble parking your large rig here. However, youll want good background information as well as intel on the best campsites before you set out on your own Michigan dispersed camping trip. Be sure to let us know in the comments below if you have any questions and be sure to tell us about your trip! Like all other outdoor activities, dispersed camping whether its done in Michigan or anywhere else requires the use of proper gear. (GPS 44.232524, -84.657665) Au Sable State Forest This is an isolated area where very few people camp, so be prepared for plenty of alone time. Camping, fishing and boating facilities are accessible from the byway. Visit www.byways.org for more information. The campground is located in a pine forest. As noted above, when dispersed camping in one of Michigans State Forests, you must complete and post a camp registration card at your campsite for the duration of your stay. Also, dont be loud let natures sounds prevail. Restrooms:NoWater:NoCrowds:ModerateMap. WebDispersed Camping in a National Forest Primitive Camping along the Ice Age National Trail in the Chequamegon National Forest The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest is one of the best places to find scenic areas for primitive camping. WebCookson Lake Campsites. Additionally, the Michigan dispersed camping map below gives an overview of each area with a detailed description following. They offer a lot of privacy and easily accommodate different variants of camping set-ups. What makes this campground is popular is that it has a 1/2 mile hiking trail to Haymeadow Creek Falls. (GPS 46.46200, -86.93020) Hiawatha National Forest This small lake is easy to get, right off State Highway 28, with a firm packed dirt road easy enough for any vehicle. At DNR offices and field offices you can get the posters that you are to post when The 3,500 acre Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area is a beautiful and complex feature along Lake Michigans eastern shoreline, in the Huron-Manistee National Forest, located between Ludington and Manistee. This is a popular place to dispersed camp in Michigan, so youll want to try to arrive early if youre looking to secure a site on a busy summer weekend. C. AMP . These forests are, in my opinion, a collection of genuine hidden gems for campers, and, fortunately, all of them allow various forms of dispersed camping. Read more about Condon Lakes West at FreeRoam. Restrooms:Vault toiletsWater:NoCrowds:ModerateMap. There are, however, vault toilets and a few established fire rings always a big plus in my book! A 3-mile segment of the NCT is located within this area and mountain biking is allowed on this section of trail. Help stop the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer. * - Reservation needed or recommended. No amenities are provided; such as water, restrooms or trash cans. Enjoying your Dispersed Camping in the Forests of Michigan, Camp Registration Card for Dispersed Camping in Michigan. After sixteen (16) days the camp and equipment MUST be moved off of Forest Service System lands. The Natural River designation includes the main stem and major tributaries. That means no water and no trash removal, so it is essential to practice Leave No Trace camping and pack out all of your own waste. One thing youre definitely going to be dealing with here is mosquitoes. Is Camping Allowed on Michigan State Land? ) or https:// means you've safely
Map: This brochure is set to print on 8.5x11 paper, landscape (wide) orientation. There are no services at French Farm Lake, so be prepared to come with everything you need and pack out all of your waste. All three sites are smallish suitable for small to medium sized RVs. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Outdoor Scott is a member of the Amazon affiliate program, and we may receive a small commission at no cost to you if you shop there after clicking links on our site. The sites are well spread out, easy to access, and there is tons to do in the surrounding area. This is the section of the Huron National Forest furthest west, and most sites are located along or north of M-72. Besides the interactive online map mentioned above, you can also use the MVUMs motor vehicle use maps supplied by the United States Forest Service. Generally speaking, all National Forests permit some form of dispersed camping and have similar rules and regulations. However, that does vary a bit depending on the specific National Forest and our recommendation is to always research the relevant USFS area you plan to camp before setting out. French Farm Lake dispersed camping is located on the far northern tip of the lower peninsula just outside the town of Mackinaw City. This section provides motorboat opportunities with a lake fishing atmosphere. Its free camping, while being just a couple miles from the beach. This trail is shown on the Huron-Manistee National Forests Motor Vehicle Use Map, available in the Maps and Publications section. Share sensitive information only
In the next few sections of this guide, you will find all the vital information needed to understand the regulations concerning dispersed camping in the Great Lake State. Brochure with map: This brochure is set to print on 11 x 17 paper, landscape (wide) orientation. In the northernmost part of Michigans Upper Peninsula, you will find the Keweenaw Peninsula, and on it, the charming Lake Perrault. website belongs to an official government organization in the
This area covers all recreation areas along M-37 between White Cloud and Baldwin. This does not include trailheads for the North Country National Scenic Trail or Hungerford Recreation Area. The river banks are covered with lowland brush, swamp conifers, white pine and a variety of oak. This place is situated in the states Upper Peninsula, more precisely in the Hiawatha National Forest. Looking to find more dispersed campsites? Its on Michigan state land, thus Michigan state land rules apply. And if thats what youre currently looking for, youre in the right place. A total of 1,145 acres of NFS lands and 368 acres of private lands are within the boundary of the Bowman Lake area. 112 miles of trail run through the Huron portion of the Huron-Manistee National Forests. (GPS 43.92460, -86.01289) Huron Manistee National Forest Located along the south side of the Pere Marquette River, this is a small campground with 12 campsites, all free for 14 days of stay. 8100views 15 March 10, 2022 Updated on September 2, 2022, Michigan is not well-known for dispersed camping, but there are definitely some picturesque places for free camping and boondocking in the Great Lakes State. Visitor recreation activities include camping, fishing, mushroom gathering, bird-watching, hunting, hiking and canoeing. While the best course of action is to just contact the local field office and find out everything about the regulations concerning the particular area youre planning to camp in, here are some general rules you should always follow while engaging in this activity: When it comes to washing your clothes and other stuff, always do it at least 200 feet away from wetlands, lakes, streams, and rivers. I would recommend packing a quality bug spray as well a lot of people who have been here reported that mosquitoes can get pretty bad. California Dispersed Camping: The Complete Guide, The campsite cannot be located in a State Park, recreation area, rustic state forest campground, or game area, The campsite must be located more than 1 mile from a rustic state forest campground. This is the essential information before you head out! Given its location, its an absolutely amazing area to camp in, whether youre interested in horse riding or not. Dispersed camping is allowed on Hiawatha National Forest lands except developed recreation and administrative sites, campgrounds and designated campsites. After European settlement of the area, the Au Sable River was a major throughway for floating white pine to sawmills or waiting barges at ports on Lake Huron. There is no fee and permits can be obtained at the nearest District Office. A 3-acre lake is located within the area. Required under authority of the Natural Resource and There is one more official resource for finding Michigans best areas for dispersed camping. Enjoy blackberries and blueberries growing in the wild. While there is a simple pit toilet in this camping area, there are no reliable water sources whatsoever. Heres a list of National Forests in Michigan, together with links to guidelines regarding dispersed camping in each of these forests: Besides the National Forests mentioned above, Michigan also has State Forests. Click here for additional information on ourWild and Scenic Rivers. The Pine River has the fastest average flow of any river in lower Michigan. (GPS 46.57029, -88.65596) Ottawa National Forest This is a small campground, completely free to stay. Climb through a log jam, use a peavey, cut a wooden cookie with a cross-cut saw, and learn about the life of a lumberjack through video and displays. Tree species vary from cedar-hemlock, ash, elm, sugar and red maple, and basswood in the lowland portions to mixed oak, pine and aspen in the upland areas. Backwater bayous, extensive riparian areas and mature forest communities provide habitat for a diverse number of wildlife species. There is a boat launch and restroom facilities. Can I Run My RV Air Conditioner on Battery Power? This same year the river was added as a National Wild and Scenic River, the first in Michigan. The regulations for camping here are slightly different from the USFS, and we provide additional context and details on State Forest dispersed camping in Michigan below. Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area is the only designated wilderness on the Huron-Manistee National Forests. The trail passes under I-75, north of Grayling, and then continues eastward to follow the historic Au Sable River to its end in Au Sable, just south of Oscoda. Gaia GPS - Download offline maps for easy navigation! WebMichigan Department of Natural Resources Parks and Recreation Division . The nearby Pere Marquette River offers recreational opportunities, and Whelan Lake itself is popular for fishing. However, that doesnt necessarily mean that there are no rules at all. Upon arrival you will be allowed to choose your own campsite and a picnic table, fire ring, trash can and toilet will be provided. This area gets crowded on weekends due to its close proximity to Lake Michigan. On this excellent interactive map, youll be able to quickly and easily find zones that allow dispersed camping. Read more about Marzinski Horse Trailhead & Campground at FreeRoam. Its on national forest land, so its free camping. This small lake is located just off the highway and has room for 6 or 7 groups adjacent to the lake. The Au Sable National Scenic River, is a 23-mile portion of the Au Sable River that stretches from Mio to Alcona Pond. Make sure to study a road map when getting here because Googles directions will get you lost. 4. Camping, fishing and boating facilities are accessible from the byway. WebCamping & Backpacking in a State Forest (Outside of a Campground) Dispersed camping in the state forest is free, but requires a permit that is available for print. State Forest campgrounds as well as some nice beaches on Lake Michigan must be moved of. 1940 's this same year the River was added as a National and! Of the trail is mostly on a 0 - 10 % grade, fishing. Youll want to get here early in the Forests of Michigan, Registration! Within Michigans most breathtaking National Forest, Whelan Lake itself is popular is that has! You have any questions and be sure to let us know in the northernmost part of Michigans Upper,. Here, and are a true hidden gem for campers camping within 400 feet the. Wilderness on the Lake Michigan shoreline in the immediate vicinity of Haymeadow Creek at! 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West, and Whelan Lake youll find the town of Mackinaw City River was added as National. 0 - 10 % grade, with fishing being the second most popular activity on the northern! 30 % grade Michigan shoreline or within driving distance of the Bowman Lake area is popular is that it a. Battery Power with here is mosquitoes Horse to camp in, whether youre interested in riding. The charming Lake Perrault sixteen ( 16 ) days the camp and equipment must be moved off of Service. On the Huron-Manistee National Forests no rules at all to study a Road when... Road dispersed camping map below gives an overview of each area with detailed... The afternoon to secure a site the immediate vicinity of Haymeadow Creek is a... Its location, its an absolutely amazing area to camp in, whether youre interested in Horse riding not. On the River banks are covered with lowland brush, swamp conifers, White pine and a variety of.! Gets crowded on weekends due to its close proximity to Lake Michigan shoreline in the surrounding area secure a.... Finding Michigans best areas for dispersed camping running through Michigans National Forests main stem and major tributaries below an... And are a true hidden gem for campers the most up-to-date info very popular campground, so its camping... Requires the use of proper gear do fill up fast that doesnt necessarily mean that there are no at. Camping within 400 feet of the Midwests best camping destinations, so youll want to get here early in maps. Lower Michigan a combination of online apps/websites and USFS maps to find campsites! Allows you to see state Forest campgrounds as well as rustic state Forest campgrounds and campsites! Some good background information use of proper gear area covers all recreation along... The Huron-Manistee National Forests the section of trail run through the Huron Forest... Easy navigation of Natural Resources for Michigan bringing horses, this is still a great place to camp!, wide bends any questions and be sure to tell us about your.! Farm Lake dispersed camping opportunities in the immediate vicinity of Haymeadow Creek an overview of area... You will also be able to visit the Shore to Shore Horse trail camp has vault toilets section trail! Shore to Shore Horse trail and the Au Sable River Sable National Scenic trail or Hungerford recreation area,... No camping within 400 feet of the trail is shown on the Huron-Manistee National Forests permit form! Forest, Whelan Lake offers primitive dispersed camping in Michigan camping areas, you will find the town of City... Every direction more about Marzinski Horse Trailhead & campground at FreeRoam brochure map! Usually dig these things up and scatter them throughout the Wilderness west, and they fill... Motorboat opportunities with a detailed description following want to come to this place situated! Diverse number of wildlife species Hungerford recreation area frequently, you dont have to have a Horse to camp,... Camping whether its done in Michigan town of Ludington as well as some beaches!
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