Huron National Forest, Michigan

Not sure what the rule is in a "national" forest versus a "state" forest, but in a Michigan "state" forest you had to be a minimum of 1 mile away from any State Forest Campground to legally boondock. It had been free, other than you were required to fill out and display a permit at your campsite. The permit was available through the DNR or could be picked up at a DNR office. State Forest Dispersed Camping

You may want to check the Michigan DNR website.

Also, if you think you might like the Huron National forest, maybe check out the Pigeon River State Forest. There are several state forest campgrounds in the area that offer pit toilets and water. I also know there are plenty of places to boondock. It has great fishing lakes, streams and a herd of elk that are fun to track down and view.

Wow! So many great replies. You guys are awesome. I love the US and think it's a gorgeous country and have been toying with the idea of camping in different states for a while. I can't get a geezer pass because I'm nowhere near retirement age but wow, your camping fees are way cheaper than they are here in our National and Provincial Parks. I think I'm going to start checking out places to camp in Michigan, New York, and Pennsylvania. Thanks all for the tips!

Most of the state park CGs have hot showers. Also the Alcona County Park has showers at the CG there. You could stay in the NF (either boondocking or at a NF CG), and then when you need a shower, go spend one night someplace with showers.

The picture below was taken in Huron NF in one of the Lumbermen's Monument CG areas... only $10/night plus a $3 reservation fee, IIRC.

Matt_Colie wrote:
I suggest that you go to the Huron National Forest website. The location offers both campsite in some ares and dispersed camping in others. Dispersed can, but does not always include RVs in all areas.
You will only find showers in the organised campgrounds and not even all of them. Many of primitive campgrounds have only a hand pump for water and pit toilets.

There are no special applications, but you may have to purchase a weekly or annual use pass. I have had a geezer card (senior citizen pass) for so long I really don't remember. If you can't download the rule sheet, you can pick it up there.

As to entering the US, avoid Detroit. We frequently take or motorhome to Canada as my wife has relatives there. It is very difficult to find out what you can bring into the country as nobody seems to have the information until you get to the border. We go with the rule, if it is not canned don't.

Matt

I just want to make sure the OP has correct information.

The lifetime geezer pass ($10) is only for U.S. citizens and permanent US residents.
The annual America the Beautiful pass ($80 per year) is available regardless of citizenry, but it does not entitle you to a 50% camping discount like the geezer pass does. However, it does allow you to park a vehicle and use facilities like boat ramps, picnic areas, etc. without having to buy a weekly or daily pass. The use fees are somewhat convoluted, but explained on the Forest's webpage: Link here


I checked and the Huron NF has NO hot showers, no hookups and no dump stations at any of the forest service campgrounds. Link here

I suggest that you go to the Huron National Forest website. The location offers both campsite in some ares and dispersed camping in others. Dispersed can, but does not always include RVs in all areas.
You will only find showers in the organised campgrounds and not even all of them. Many of primitive campgrounds have only a hand pump for water and pit toilets.

There are no special applications, but you may have to purchase a weekly or annual use pass. I have had a geezer card (senior citizen pass) for so long I really don't remember. If you can't download the rule sheet, you can pick it up there.

As to entering the US, avoid Detroit. We frequently take or motorhome to Canada as my wife has relatives there. It is very difficult to find out what you can bring into the country as nobody seems to have the information until you get to the border. We go with the rule, if it is not canned don't.

Matt

sbstryker wrote:
I'm from Ontario, Canada and I've never been camping in the United States. I've done back-country camping in Canada (you can camp anywhere on crown land) or at actual designated campgrounds (e.g. Parks Canada or Ontario Parks).

I've been looking at Google Maps and Huron National Forest in Michigan seems like it would be a pretty cool place to camp.

What's camping in the US like? Can you just go to a park and pitch a tent/park your pop-up, or are there rules and applications you have to fill out? Do your parks tend to have comfort stations (e.g. somewhere to have a shower)? What's it like going across the border with a trailer?

Perhaps I can give a few suggestions. I didn't work on the HM NF, but did work on most the surrounding national forests in MI, WI, MN, IN, and IL.

If you wish to camp in a campground with vault toilets, and a water source (but not any water hookups) they have designated campgrounds that charge a nightly fee. Sites generally do not have electricity. Link here

If you want to truly boondock, away from any campground and for free, that is still allowed on NFs but not to the extent that it used to be. Several years ago, the NFs came out with something called the Motor Vehicle Use Map, which applies mostly to ATVs, but also includes all motor vehicles. Several roads previously opened to motorized vehicles were closed, and the ability to go very far off a designated road (like to a boondocking spot) were restricted, but not eliminated.
The Huron Manistee's Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) link here does not address boondocking specifically, but says the following: Motor vehicle designations include parking along designated routes and at facilities associated with designated routes when it is safe to do so and when not causing damage to National Forest System resources.

All of this is cryptic as all heck, even for someone that worked for the USFS. Therefore, my BEST advice to you is to call the Huron National Forest Office (Toll Free: 1-800-821-6263) and ask to talk to the Recreation Program manager and ask them your specific questions about what is allowed and where you camp in a campground, and where you can legally boondock. I wouldn't just ask the front desk person or the receptionist who first answers the phone, because you may be asking some complicated questions and need to speak with someone who understands the nitty gritty of their policy (and the level to which they enforce it!)

Check out this info:

http://www.forestcamping.com/dow/eastern/hurcmp.htm
Or Google Huron-Manistee National Forest

Coming across the border shouldn't be an issue, make sure you have all up to date paperwork for your vehicles and a passport. Check out the guidelines for bringing in food ahead of time.

Prepare for them to ask you the normal questions, answer honestly. Also, they will likely ask you to turn off the vehicle, hand them the keys, and maybe the trailer keys if it is locked to look inside. If its a popup, I'm unsure how they handle it.

As for the area you described, I probably wouldn't "camp" there. Its not that it is bad or anything, but you won't find comfort stations or anything of that ilk. Thats pure forest, people do camp and hunt it, but you will be boondocking it.

I think you would have a better time at one of the many campgrounds and then if you want to drive in there and hike, go for it. I'm not sure how they handle building a fire or something like that in there, and I probably wouldn't think of doing it. We have a cottage near there and I've seen acres and acres of forestland wiped out because of fire (not sure if manmade or what) and I don't think there are enough resources to handle it.