Dispersed Camping in Michigan's National Forests

Do you want to get away from other campers? Get out into the national forests in Michigan, where there are more than 90,000 acres of land to hunt down free, dispersed camping locations.
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[@chrislonsberry1974]

I just found you guys a couple of weeks ago and have been watching your Michigan State Parks series. I’m originally from Michigan and come back and visit when I can. Your videos are very good and offer a lot of information. You’re making my trip planning much easier. Thank you M

[@Trekers]

Thank you, that's awesome to hear that our videos are helping you. That was one of our big goals!

[@TheMonkdad]

That’s fantastic. It’s getting so this is the only way to find a peaceful camping experience. I’ll bet you have some stories which started like “we thought were miles away from anyone then all of a sudden…”

[@Trekers]

It is funny how that happens -- we'll think we have found this great secluded spot after traveling for a while down a forest road and finding a single campsite. Later, we'll realize that coming in on the forest road from another direction would have presented us with multiple campsites. 😄 Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@cjoutdooradventures4896]

One of my favorite things about Michigan. Headed out this weekend with the boys.

[@freedakaye6720]

We did a recon trip on the very bottom edge of the forest today. Some great options for our 19foot TT.

[@Trekers]

That's great to hear. We hope you enjoy your trips out there. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@AndrewLeach-z8q]

Just an FYI there’s a total of about 2.9 million acres of national forest in Michigan.

[@Trekers]

You're right! I'm not sure what I was referencing or where that number of acres came from. 🤷‍♂️ Thanks for watching and for correcting my info! -Ari

[@JohnMarucci]

Makes we want to pack up now and try Manistee. Nice video!

[@Trekers]

It's one of our favorite forests to hang out in, especially for a weekend getaway. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@cjoutdooradventures4896]

You can also disperse camp on state forest too. Not just national Forest

[@Trekers]

This is true -- although you are supposed to be at least 1 mile from a state forest campground., according to the DNR.

[@cjoutdooradventures4896]

@@Trekers yup! I think that is also a rule in national Forest too.

[@Trekers]

@@cjoutdooradventures4896 Just double-checked with USFS and you're right -- has to be more than a mile from an established forest service campground. Their website also says you need a permit if camping with a group of 75 or more people. That sounds terrible! LOL

[@cjoutdooradventures4896]

@@Trekers also note, for state forest you are supposed to post a camp registration card at your dispersed site. Kinda odd. You can print it on the DNR site. We are headed out this weekend in the Roscommon forest area.

[@cjoutdooradventures4896]

@@GamingOniActual It just says "posted" I just slipped mine in a baggy and tapped it to a tree or table. Not sure what is proper. Also, you can camp just about anywhere in state or national forest and have a campfire in Michigan (and most other places). See my latest video of us doing just that.

[@thetravelingbuddy6104]

Have you ever stayed at the stare forest in sndford Michigan I just did it was nice.

[@Trekers]

No, we haven't, but it sounds like we should make a point to do so. Thanks for watching and for the tip!

[@thetravelingbuddy6104]

I did a couple of videos on it recantly

[@Trekers]

That looks like a nice area. We will have to check it out. Thanks!

[@GratefulGlamper]

Great Video! We will have to check this out on our upcoming summer trip. We have a Jeep Wrangler, so it seems like it would make it up 2 track ok :) Thanks for sharing 👍🏻

[@Trekers]

Thanks for watching and commenting! Following two-tracks into the woods in Michigan is one of our favorite pastimes.

[@lekaiser10]

I'm curious how you find the roads to check out? Do you use an atlas or an app? Do you ever need to fill out a permit for dispersed camping? What do you look for in a camping spot for dispersed camping? I've never done it but I sure want to! :-)

[@Trekers]

Our main source to find spots is a combination of the Manistee National Forest Road Use Map (can order a printed version from online) and the Michigan Gazeteer/Atlas. The Road Use Map lists all the forest roads by number, as well as the NF campgrounds (those usually have a $10-15 fee). We just pick a road(s) and drive down it till we find a spot we like and is suitable. Sometimes they're dead ends, sometimes there aren't any spots; we've done it enough now we know the areas pretty well and have spots we like to return to. For NF dispersed camping no permit is needed. You just pull off where you like, as long as you are beyond 50ft of a river/stream or 400ft of a lake shoreline. For state forest dispersed camping you do need a permit; you can get it at the local DNR office or download and print out before you go. They also have more rules on where you can camp. We've honestly never done SF dispersed because it's harder to find a spot suitable to our needs and meets requirements. As for what we look for in a spot - no low tree overhangs to get caught on anything on the rig is first, followed by semi level (we do carry levelers), followed by how secluded it is (actually, maybe that should be first, lol). Also, for me personally, an open spot for star gazing is also preferred. Hope that helps, let me know if you have other questions. --Jessi

[@swampfox72]

Lynne this is what I use.......so many cool places to camp. Then off those roads are other two tracks to explore as well. www.fs.usda.gov/detail/hmnf/maps-pubs/?cid=stelprdb5275851

[@Trekers]

Jim Fox Yep, great tip. That's the maps that Jessi referenced in her reply. We have found them to be quite useful because what is often just a random line on a "regular" map is a numbered road on an NFS map. Although, I should probably say "road" to be honest. LOL ^Ari

[@ScottAllen62]

Link doesn't work anymore.

[@Trekers]

@@ScottAllen62 Thanks for noting that. Here's an updated link to the U.S. Forest Service to locate maps: www.fs.usda.gov/main/hmnf/maps-pubs

[@DisgruntledUSA]

How long can you occupy a camp sight for? Are there any rules or guidelines posted online anywhere?

[@Trekers]

The maximum stay is 14 days. Here are some guidelines for the Huron-Manistee National Forest in Michigan: www.fs.usda.gov/activity/hmnf/recreation/camping-cabins/?recid=18536&actid=34

[@DisgruntledUSA]

Awesome! I should be plenty ripe after 2 weeks 😂 Thanks for the link.

[@Trekers]

@DisgruntledUSA Hahaha. Enjoy

[@groundpounder24365]

Greetings from Montague where the manistee national forest is my "backyard" per say. Nice to see videos about the forest.

[@Trekers]

This has long been one of our favorite places to boondock. It's great that you get to enjoy it as your "backyard." Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@groundpounder24365]

@@Trekers please report any tire dumps and any illegal activities to the dnr r.a.p hotline or us forestry department in baldwin. All the help we can give one another keeping our forests clean is greatly appreciated. It makes me happy to know people come from all over to enjoy what some around here take for granted.

[@andrewcurtis2605]

Thanks for sharing! I’m just getting in to camping and excited to explore our beautiful state! It’s a little intimidating to begin to understand where to go. This was helpful and inspiring!

[@Trekers]

Glad you found it helpful. Michigan is a great state for dispersed camping once you get far enough north. Enjoy!

[@rocknrobin4022]

Where does one find these maps of the trail roads and camping areas

[@Trekers]

If you go to the website of the forest that you want to visit, the US Forest Service usually has a link where you can download or order maps. Note that the roads often change faster than the maps are updated, but they do give you a good place to start. For example, here is the link for the maps for the Manistee National Forest in Northwest Michigan: www.fs.usda.gov/main/hmnf/maps-pubs

[@RAYANDERS-w4t]

THANKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@freerangecamper]

Awesome. Thanks for sharing. I’ve been curious about dispersed camping here in MI. I’ve been doing some research. Any recommendations for winter?

[@Trekers]

Glad you enjoyed the video. Not sure about dispersed camping in the winter due to access issues. Tahquamenon Falls State Park in the Upper Peninsula is a great spot in the winter though. The electric is on and water is off, but it's a beautiful, quiet setting in the winter time with relatively easy access to the sites. We went there for years and always found good spots to go snowshoeing. Here is one of the videos we did from our hike to Clark Lake in snowshoes: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4W1Zn6AfbCoqpY

[@freerangecamper]

@@Trekers awesome. I appreciate the response and info!

[@chiefenumclaw7960]

Thanks for sharing friend, much obliged.

[@jeffrichards5106]

Have you ever felt in danger from other 2 legged animals out there? if you know what I mean. Always wanted to try dispersed camping.

[@Trekers]

Nope. We're usually less comfortable in cities! LOL Seriously though, you have to always be vigilant and if someplace just doesn't feel right, then move on. Some people carry various forms of self-defense protection, so there is always that option, as well, but that's a personal choice. -Ari

[@keaganweaver8723]

Crazy helpful video my friend 🖤 thanks a bunch!

[@Trekers]

Glad to hear it. Thanks for watching!

[@brookesmith2147]

How can you find these two track roads? Are they on normal maps? Thanks!

[@Trekers]

Many are unmarked but there are forest service maps available that show you the forest roads in an area. Caution is advised because the road conditions change frequently and the mapmakers can't keep up. But it's a good starting point. Here is a website that should help: www.fs.usda.gov/main/hmnf/maps-pubs. Safe travels!

[@johnrybik3856]

Great video man thank you

[@creamys7252]

If you continued down the two track would you end up high on the banks of the pine river? Was there a creek with beaver dams near your campsite? That place looks super familiar think i might have camped there a couple years back, but down by the creek.

[@Trekers]

I looked up where you're talking about and I believe we were camped southwest of that location. This spot is closer to the Big M recreation area. -Ari

[@OldGriz708]

It looks like sf7350 outside of Harrietta.

[@ronb2008]

And you can enjoy being in the middle of nowhere with horseflys from hell and those little fucking gnats that get everywhere lmao. Totally nitpicking, dispersed camping is really amazing

[@Trekers]

Ha! Every type of camping has its issues, as does every type of non-camping. 😄 Thanks for watching! -Ari

[@deanwebster]

Great video. It is nice to get away from it all. Thanks for sharing!

[@RonGoote]

I drive in a front wheel drive sedan are these roads able to be navigated with that?

[@Trekers]

We see people in all sorts of vehicles. The key is to watch for deep sand or muddy spots in some places, especially if it's going to rain. It's not usually a clearance issue for the vehicles but more a matter of traction.

[@zebra4352]

Do you ever worry about ORV's while driving on the trail? There are so many two tracks and public land around Grayling, but they are often intertwined with ORV trails and people love to rip on them. I'd be afraid of sharing the trails with them.

[@Trekers]

It's always a concern when on two tracks no matter what vehicle you're in. We always drove with all lights on, and we had windows down so that if we heard anything around a blind curve we could slow down and even honk if we thought necessary. But we only encountered ORVs a couple of times and they were respectful and pulled off so we had more room on the two track to get by them.

[@zebra4352]

@@Trekers Thanks for responding to an older video. I've recently started using ORV trails with a side by side and it made me realize just how dangerous those roads can be, especially when they're barely one vehicle width and tight corners.

[@GimpyCamper]

I'm actually on my way to Traverse City to visit my dad tomorrow. I wish I could venture away and get into more woods. The wife is always dragging me to Macinac Island. Don't get me wrong, It's beautiful, and one of my favorite places.... but do we have to go every year to see the 18 fudge shops? lol

[@Trekers]

Mackinac Island is pretty, but I'd agree it's a place visited periodically, not regularly. While in Traverse City, will you head up the peninsula to Old MissionPoint? That's a nice drive with a lighthouse at the end that we like. -Ari

[@GimpyCamper]

I may have been there, I’ll check. We love to just go to the bay and then see where the road takes us...

[@GimpyCamper]

@@Trekers Just wanted to say last night I had this bright idea to start like a "brotherhood" of RV KZbinrs to share tips and tricks. Also to receive constructive criticism which I'm in need of I'm sure!. If you are interested check it out... My channel is still very small but gaining momentum all the time. Just had this random idea and it may even be kind of dumb... but thought it was worth a try! facebook.com/groups/1098080200390857/?ref=share