Beaches, scenic views, lighthouses at every turn, and some of the best free camping found east of the Mississippi? Michigan has it all.
Michigan is a state that you can easily spend over a month exploring. From long stretches of pristine beaches to the forests of the Upper Peninsula. There is free camping in Michigan all over the state as long as you know where to look.
Almost all of the apps and websites commonly used for finding free camping are severely lacking in east coast states, and Michigan is no exception. Luckily, we spent close to two months exploring all the free camping in Michigan that we could find. So here is everything we learned during our time exploring free camping in Michigan.
What Is Free Camping In Michigan?
Free camping is the backbone of travel for most modern nomads, so what exactly is free camping? The best explanation for free camping is using designated public lands, either state or federal, for recreation, such as camping. It does not mean that a camper can pull onto any public land and set up a camp spot.
The National Forest camping rules are different from a State Forest or land maintained by the Bureau of Land Management. It is essential to check with the local ranger station or Department of Natural Resources office before setting up camp. Especially in areas where rules may not be obvious.
There are two main types of free camping in Michigan. Primitive and dispersed camping; these types of camping are also found in almost every state.
Primitive Camping In Michigan
Primitive camping is defined as camping in a designated area that has either few or no improvements. Improvements can be anything from a fire ring to drinking water and pit toilets. Often you can find primitive camping in Michigan as semi-developed campgrounds at trailheads with pit toilets and fire rings. Some forest roads have designated sites for camping. These sites are marked with either a site number sign or a firepit.
Due to how most primitive camping options are either a campground-like loop or along a designated forest road. It is more likely that you will be within the eyesight of other campers. In our experience, the sites in designated primitive camping areas are spaced out enough for each site to have privacy.
Dispersed Camping In Michigan
While primitive camping is often in a more formal setting such as a semi-developed campground or along a forest road with designated sites, dispersed camping does not use designated sites or areas for camping. Often dispersed camping is found in National Forests and on land operated by the Bureau of Land Management.
In most places, dispersed camping involves exploring forest roads or hiking into a location until you find a clear and suitable spot for camping. As long as you are not blocking a road, gate or clearing an area of living trees and vegetation, you can camp at that spot for up to fourteen days before having to move.
The type of public land you are camping on dictates how many miles from your current site you have to move before setting up a new campsite.
Where To Find Free Camping In Michigan
We now know what types of free camping are available in Michigan. But how do you find where to camp for free in Michigan? The two main places that people can camp for free are in National Forests and State Forests.
National Forests
There are three National Forests in Michigan. The Hiawatha, Huron-Manistee, and Ottawa National Forests. Huron-Manistee National Forests in the lower part of Michigan and the Hiawatha and Ottawa National Forests in the upper peninsula. All of which allow dispersed camping so long as you are not blocking a road or gate, are not within sight of a paid National Forest campground, and as long as the area is not marked with a no camping sign.
There are also free primitive campgrounds run by Michigan’s National Forests that offer drinking water, pit toilets, picnic tables, and firepits. The best way to find free primitive campgrounds is by picking up a camping map and vehicle use map from a local ranger station.
We highly recommend calling or stopping by the ranger station for the National Forest you plan to camp in to check with the rangers if any camping rules have been changed.
State Forests
Michigan State Forests mainly offer free primitive camping options. While camping at a State Forest site is free, a permit known as a camp reservation card is required. Print out the camp reservation card, fill out your information, and stick it to a tree in the site you are occupying: it is recommended that the camp reservation card in sealed in a plastic bag so that rain can not damage the permit.
Free State Forest campgrounds are very similar to the free National Forest campgrounds in that they will typically have drinking water, pit toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings at each site. Unless otherwise stated, Michigan State Forests do not allow dispersed camping and only have primitive camping in designated zones and sites only.
Casinos
While most would not think of a casino when looking for a place to camp in Michigan: casinos do offer free camping with the option to pay for a site with electric hook-up throughout the state. In areas such as outside of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, sometimes finding a spot for a night or two can be difficult, and searching for a dispersed site in the local National Forest may not be an option.
We were amazed by how nice the casino camping throughout Michigan is and would recommend it for finding a spot when in a pinch. The best part is the casinos do not expect you to spend money when staying in the camping area. Just call or go inside to check in.
Our Top Two Favorite Dispersed Camping Areas In Michigan
Michigan is a big state with a lot to offer for both nomads traveling through and locals looking to get out and explore their state. During our time, we found a large amount of free camping in Michigan in the Lower Peninsula and in the Upper Peninsula, all of which we found to be amazing locations with magnificent views. Yet, a few spots stuck out as the absolute favorites that we plan on visiting again in the future.
Ludington – Manistee
Ludington is ranked one of the best beach towns in Michigan to visit, and we agree. With miles of soft sand beaches, two lighthouses, and the classic S.S. Badger car ferry that is still in operation out of Ludington, The best part is the area surrounding Ludington is full of free camping opportunities along with numerous paid campgrounds.
Outside of Ludington, there are a handful of free camping locations, including a free developed National Forest campground and a no-cost permit State Forest campground.
Just north of Ludington is the town of Manistee. Where there are also a few free and paid camping options run by the National Forest Service.
Perhaps the best free camping option lies between Ludington and Manistee, in the 3,450-acre Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area managed by the Manistee National Forest. Nordhouse is best known for its 4 miles of undeveloped Lake Michigan shoreline, wildlife viewing, and 10 miles of walking trails. Nordhouse Dunes also have both primitive and dispersed free camping options with over 30 available spots to choose from.
The most popular location for free camping in Norhouse Dunes is along Green Road, just outside of the Lake Michigan Recreation Area. Green Road is a sand road that has 25+ sites along its length.
We could get down Green Road without much issue in our Ford Transit High Roof Extended van but would not feel very comfortable taking a larger RV down the road.
Thanks to all the free camping options, we were able to bounce around the Ludington, Manistee, area for close to two months. You can learn more about what all Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area offers from the National Forest site here.
Hiawatha National Forest – Munising
Spanning 894,836-acres, Hiawatha Nationa Forest is a massive treasure trove of free camping in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Hiawatha National Forest is divided into two sections. The eastern part of the National Forest stretches from St. Ignace, the first town after crossing the Mackinac Bridge, all the way up to Sault Ste. Marie.
The western part of the National Forest is near the middle of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It stretches from Lake Michigan up to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore along Lake Superior.
The dispersed camping rules for Michigan National Forests are similar to most other National Forests; anywhere along a forest road is available for camping so long as the area does not have a “No Camping” sign. Do not block any gates, and don’t camp in the area surrounding a paid National Forest campground.
Hiawatha National Forest is one of our favorite free dispersed camping areas in Michigan. It covers a large portion of the Upper Peninsula, even providing free camping options near Munising and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
You can download the Motor Vehicle Use Maps for Hiawatha National Forest here. The MVUMs show all the forests roads throughout the National Forest.
Best Time Of Year For Free Camping In Michigan
The best time to visit Michigan depends on what you are interested in. According to Marie Marfia, an artist based out of Ludington, “[T]here isn’t a bad time to visit . . . Summer is for having fun at the lake. Fall colors are spectacular. And winter is great for snowshoeing and skiing plus it’s so pretty!”.
In our own experience, Michigan is a prime location for nomads to visit in summer to early fall. The great lakes help keep the coastlines cool even at the height of summer. Something that those who travel without air conditioning can appreciate.
Plus, most of the free camping we came across throughout the state is only open seasonally. However, there are still plenty of free options once the snows start to fall.
With beaches around every turn, kyack and paddleboard rentals all over the place, and plentiful free camping options provided by the National and State Forests, it is easy to spend multiple weeks exploring all Michigan has to offer.
Essentials For Free Camping In Michigan
Michigan Recreation Passport
The Michigan Recreation Passport is, in our opinion, the top must-have for exploring the state. The Michigan Recreation Passport gives you free day-use entry into Michigans state parks. Along with free parking at Department of Natural Resources boat ramps and trailheads.
Deep Woods Bug Spray
The mosquitos and ticks can be a problem depending on the time of year you visit Michigan. We highly recommend bringing your preference of bug spray so long as it also repels ticks. We use OFF! deep woods spray and never had an issue the entire time we spent of the Forests of Michigan.
Fly Repellent
Before Michigan, we had never experienced biting flies. We quickly learned that having a fly repellent and fly traps is a must when visiting the Upper Peninsula or the Northern coastlines of the Lower Peninsula. The flies in late August hatch in swarms, and we ended up leaving the area before we wanted to due to being bit constantly.
Blacklight Flashlight
Yooperlites® or Michigan glow stones, are rocks made of fluorescent sodalite that glows an orange color under UV light. Glow stones can be found throughout Michigan, with the Upper Peninsula having the height density of glow stones in the state. Having a blacklight flashlight with you means you can search for these glowing rocks along the shoreline.
Conclusion To Finding Free Camping In Michigan
Overall, Michigan is a great state to explore either as a nomad passing through or as someone lucky enough to call the state their home. Michigan has something for everyone, from beaches to trails through the National Forests.
