Official websites use .gov A .gov Whelan Lake Special Area is a 2,800 acre area located near the south branch of the Pere Marquette River. This is a beautiful area that is maintained by a non-profit, so it is all of our responsibility to ensure it remains open and protected for generations to come. Dispersed Camping in the Forests of Michigan, Camp Registration Card for Dispersed Camping in Michigan. While not technically dispersed camping, McKinley Trail Camp is free and the sites are well spaced giving campers a feeling of solitude. To camp inside the Nordhouse Dunes zone, you will have to pay a small fee, which is, in my opinion, a trivial price to pay for accessing such a gorgeous area. Some These sites are too small for large RVs, but still suitable for vans, pickup truck campers, and even small trailers. (6) No Service. The nearby Pere Marquette River offers recreational opportunities, and Whelan Lake itself is popular for fishing. 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. Its on Michigan state land, thus Michigan state land rules apply. The White River is characterized by a primarily sand bottom with deep pockets of water and small sections of gravel bottom. Dispell the myths of boondocking and arm yourself with the laws and truths. While this is a formal campground, there are many dispersed camping opportunities in the immediate vicinity of Haymeadow Creek. These State Forests are located throughout Michigan, and are a true hidden gem for campers. Speaking generally, those who know how to read USFS maps, have some experience in navigating woodland roads, as well as the gut feeling of knowing where to look should have no trouble with finding a myriad of dispersed campsites in the Great Lake State. Au Sable comes highly recommended with its proximity to both Southeast Michigan and Lake Hurons beaches. Read more about De Cheau Lake on FreeRoam. In this article, Ill be taking a detailed look at the 9 best dispersed camping areas in the U.S. state of Michigan. Looking for more dispersed camping content? This is mostly due to the fact that its very close to the stunning Lake Michigan, but also because its very easy to access (you can reach it with a regular passenger vehicle) and due to the privacy of its sites. Robbins Pond is a designated dispersed campground with just three campsites located in Ottawa National Forest just north of the Wisconsin border with the Upper Peninsula. WebFree camping (dispersed) is allowed on most national forest lands except in highly developed areas - such as trailheads, campgrounds and picnic sites - and in some of Dispersed camping is generally limited to 14 days within any continuous 30 day period. Although this isnt a dispersed camping area in the true sense of that term, its sites are both well-spaced out and completely free to camp at. What makes this campground is popular is that it has a 1/2 mile hiking trail to Haymeadow Creek Falls. The sites are well spread out, easy to access, and there is tons to do in the surrounding area. WebDispersed BLM camping in a dry lake bed just outside of Joshua Tree. This would be the State Forest Map, supplied by the Department of Natural Resources for Michigan. The US Forest Services manages three National Forests within Michigan. Its well-used area for off-road vehicles and fishing. The feeling of being deep in nature is definitely there, since youll be quite secluded while spending time at Hovey Lake. Recreation opportunities include hunting, picnicking, mushroom gathering and berry picking. The section north of Tippy Dam, up to Hodenpyl Dam Pond, is bordered on either side by the Manistee River Trail and the North Country National Scenic Trail. It is a designated "Blue Ribbon" cold-water trout stream, with fishing being the second most popular activity on the river. Check out the Michigan State Forest interactive map here. As their name suggests, these maps wont really help you with determining where you can and where you cant pitch your tent. Even if youre not planning on bringing horses, this is still a great place to dispersed camp given the location. This particular dispersed camping zone can be found right next to the road that leads to the French Farm Lake mentioned above. While it doesnt have a reliable water source, Haymeadow Creek has picnic tables and vault toilets. A large portion of the river flows through the White River Semi-Primitive Nonmotorized Area. Let me know in the comments below if I have missed any great spots or if anything needs updating. The trail is mostly on a 0 - 10% grade, with some short sections at a 30% grade. This section provides motorboat opportunities with a lake fishing atmosphere. The recreation sites in this area are all located on the Lake Michigan shoreline or within driving distance of the lake. One thing youre definitely going to be dealing with here is mosquitoes. WebState forest campgrounds Rustic camping If you're looking for a more rustic camping experience, check out our 140-plus state forest campgrounds located throughout Backwater bayous, extensive riparian areas and mature forest communities provide habitat for a diverse number of wildlife species. Its another very popular campground, but completely free. 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). Share sensitive information only The Pine River has the fastest average flow of any river in lower Michigan. Green Road is located within the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area, which is part of Huron-Manistee National Forest. website belongs to an official government organization in the The Little Manistee River offers many opportunities for steelhead and trout fishing. Connector trails are marked with white rectangle blazes on trees. Another great resource for finding dispersed campsites in Michigans State Forests is their excellent interactive State Forest Map. Use the custom map layers to find public land, download offline maps, and navigate to your perfect dispersed campsite. Verizon cell signal is pretty good here. A camp registration card must be posted at your campsite (more on this below). 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. Of those, 21 are fully-equipped RV sites and 79 are semi-equipped RV sites. Click here for additional information on ourWild and Scenic Rivers. The Manistee River Trail follows the east shore of the Manistee River for 8.8 miles through rolling hills. There are three National Forests in Michigan that are supervised by the United States Forest Service. For finding dispersed camping areas in Michigan, I would recommend using a combination of USFS maps, online websites, and smartphone apps. Our favorite resources for Michigan dispersed camping are below: Check out our Dispersed Camping App guide here. Although trails are not groomed in the winter, the area is popular for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. 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! A couple of camping spots have enough space for smaller trailers and RVs. Gaia GPS - Download offline maps for easy navigation! WebDispersed Camping Dispersed foot traffic and primitive tent camping within the Forests is allowed almost anywhere, unless otherwise posted closed and/or "No Camping". You can easily string this place together with some other Upper Peninsula dispersed campsites mentioned in this article. Where to Camp for Free in Cherokee National Forest, Army Corps of Engineers Campgrounds in Arizona, Dispersed Camping Near Crater Lake National Park. Anglers are lured by the annual salmon and steelhead runs, as well as brown trout, smallmouth bass and walleye. WebHiawatha National Forest - Camping & Cabins:Dispersed Camping Dispersed Camping Dispersed camping is allowed on Hiawatha National Forest lands except developed An important thing to mention here is that there are no vault toilets at Whelan Lake, even though the USFS website claims that there are some. The following sections have all the critical info you need to understand the rules and regulations around dispersed camping in Michigan. Read more about Whelan Lake on FreeRoam. Only have a campfire if it is permitted, and always be sure it is completely extinguished. This section contains information on the sites located in the southern section of the Huron National Forest. After sixteen (16) days the camp and equipment MUST be moved off of Forest Service System lands. You will, however, have to fill it out in advance, print it, and then take it with you to the campsite, where youll have to post it in a visible spot. Of course, you can always combine these with the aforementioned camping apps and Google Maps to find a camping area that suits your needs the best. We recommend using a combination of online apps/websites and USFS maps to find dispersed campsites. Otherwise, the adjacent Ottawa National Forest has additional dispersed camping options worth exploring. One of these is located on the states Lower Peninsula (Huron-Manistee) and the other two are situated on the Upper Peninsula (Ottawa and Hiawatha). How Many Solar Panels Do I Need for Boondocking? However, keep in mind that youre probably going to have a difficult time turning your large rig here. Use only plain water and biodegradable soap. What Should I Pack for Dispersed Camping in Michigan? Read more about Hovey Lake Campground on FreeRoam. WebMichigan's forests offer an abundance of recreational opportunities including fishing, hiking, camping, ORV riding, hunting and more. The brochure is set to print on 11 x 17 paper, landscape (wide) orientation. The Pere MarquetteNational Scenic River is a sixty-six mile stretch from the junction of the Middle and Little South Branches east of Baldwin to the Old Highway 31 Bridge. Lumbermens Monument Visitor Center sits at the center of the byway. In recent years efforts have been made to replace logs in the river to help reduce erosion and maintain the world-class trout fishing river as an aquatic habitat. No RV hook-ups are available for water, sewage or electric at any campground. There are approximately 21 sites located here, but they rarely fill up even on summer weekends. Choosing a dispersed camping site has some The campsites are dispersed around the lake shore, and while the USFS website says there is a toilet, many campers report that this is not the case. Four improved campsites are located on Bowman Lake. The fact that it has no restrooms or water access doesnt stop people from coming here, though in fact, the area is often quite busy. connected to the .gov website. 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. While the lake itself looks absolutely breathtaking, you should avoid swimming in it its quite murky and somewhat shallow. There are several river access sites, day use areas and campgrounds located along this section of river. Speaking generally, all three of these forests have regulations and rules that are quite similar and they all allow some form of dispersed camping. Youre also close to the beach here as well as Headlands International Dark Sky Park. Dont forget pitching a tent within a 1-mile radius of a rustic state forest campground is not allowed. In addition, a small trailhead is located on NFS Road 6267, giving access to the Bowman Lake Campground Trail, which is approximately 7.5 miles of loop trail designed for nonmotorized recreation. The roads can be rough, but its still suitable for any size RV or vehicle. The river is managed in two sections, one from Mio Pond to Alcona Dam Pond, the second from Alcona Dam to Lake Huron. You can primitive camp anywhere in the boundaries of the national forest fee free. Scenery is one of the most outstanding attributes of the river. Here are some of my favorite resources for finding amazing camping spots in this part of the United States: Although its true that these websites and apps can serve as a good starting point for folks who are new to dispersed camping, I still think that you should never use them on their own. Lumbermans Monument Visitor Center interprets the areas colorful lumbering past. R. EGISTRATION . All Rights Reserved. Vast State and National Forests, thick woodlands, and shores along three of the great lakes makes dispersed camping in Michigan a cant miss experience. Although the state may not be top of mind when you think of public lands, many campers are surprised by the opportunities to pitch your tent or park your trailer in some stunning wilderness. 2 The Best Areas for Dispersed Camping in Michigan 2.1 Hovey Lake Dispersed Campground 2.2 Green Road / Nordhouse Dunes 2.3 French Farm Lake 2.4 5. Several observation sites along the trail provide hikers with vista views of the Manistee River and surrounding area. Read more about Horseshoe Lake on FreeRoam. The lake itself is an exceptionally popular fishing destination, while the Pere Marquette River which is only 700 ft away from the lake offers additional recreational opportunities. 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. And more bringing horses, this is a designated `` Blue Ribbon '' cold-water trout stream, with being. Forests within Michigan I have missed any great spots or if anything needs updating, supplied by Department... This particular dispersed camping options worth exploring has the fastest average flow of any River in Michigan. Maps to find dispersed campsites apps/websites and USFS maps, online websites, and a! Driving distance of the Manistee River offers many opportunities for steelhead and trout.! 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