Boondocking in Michigan

GaryS1953 wrote:


Thanks for the info on Lake Michigan Recreation Area. So if Im reading it right it's federal. Does my lifetime National Park card get me access, or do I need an additional permit? I love that area north of Luddington and think I want to check that campground out. And I'm guessing it's not as hard to get into as say Platte River campground at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore.

Your lifetime pass covers the day-use fee for the parks, and I think will discount your camping at Platte river, since that's a National Park and not just a recreation area. Last time I was at Lake Mich Rec, the concessionaire was charging campers the day-use fee on top of the camping fee, I believe Platte River does the same.

GaryS1953 wrote:

Gordon I really want to get in on those top secret dispersed sites. Maybe you could just tell me :) I've been to Fisherman's Island state Park and really liked it. Might check out the rustic sites. Neither my wife or I care for the Newaygo area at all, but I appreciate the mention.

Sorry no can do, finding dispersed waterfront sites are like the secret recipe for Bush's beans, only other soul that knows is the dog.

Lots of nice quiet federal campgrounds along M37. Walkup Lake, Benton Lake to name a few favorites. Walkup doesn't do reservations but Benton does. Tons of great boondock sites across the street from Benton, there's an easy two-track that weaves around through the National Forest, plenty of "sites" cleared out off the road.

Good sites along the Manistee River too. Seaton Creek is small and quiet, Blacksmith Bayou if you like fishing, or even if you don't, it's so small it used to be free, but they paved the road and fixed up the outhouse, and now they charge a small fee... Sawdust Hole is another tiny gem, there's like 5 sites?

On the other side of the state, in the Huron NF, along M65 there's a bunch of nice federal campgrounds, and a few dispersed sites.

For me, a lot of the fun is finding these places, the smaller the better.