These cookies do not store any personal information. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. No more than 6 people per campsite, 2 vehicles per site. The campsite must also be located more than one mile from a rustic state forest campground. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. Tagged with: Camping disperesed camping finding a campsite how to choose a campsite national forest camping state forest camping. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Changes and cancellations cannot be made more than 11 months in advance of arrival date. If arriving after 5 p.m. on the scheduled arrival date, you MUST contact the Harbormaster to notify staff of late arrival. Modifications to reservations that result in an increase in the length of stay will be assessed the additional nights’ fees only and NOT the $10 cancellation/modification fee. Once checked in at the park, if customers choose to reduce their stay or check out early, a refund will be calculated as a percentage of unused camp night fees based on the number of months the reservation has been held (see sliding modification/cancellation formula). Campers must camp only in designated areas. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. All research activities within state parks, recreation areas, boating access sites and rail trails are required to have a use permit. It doesn’t involve a camp host or reservations, and it’s unlikely that you’ll see other campers. Shelley Lake Campground - White Cloud Shelley Lake Campground | Photo Courtesy of Ryan Kramer This dispersed recreation area in the Huron-Manistee National Forests is north of White Cloud and has eight designated sites spread around the shoreline of this scenic, 15-acre lake of which seven are reached after a short walk of a 50 yards or less. A responsible person (18 years or older) must register and be a member of the party camping each night. State parks offer a diverse range of recreational opportunities, such as hands-on instructional classes, nature programs, nighttime and interpretive hikes, places to fish, boat launches, dark sky viewing … Cancellations made any time after processing this reservation until close of business the day before your scheduled arrival date will result in a refund of fees paid minus the non-refundable reservation fee. No bathroom, pit toilet, water pump, fire … ... Plan your trip so that you arrive at your actual campsite with enough daylight to check over the entire site and safely set up camp. Rules do not apply to State Recreation Areas, State Parks or Wildlife lands. In the case of national forest land, contact the nearest Forest Service office. (SP= State Park; RA= Recreation Area). Review details on dispersed camping on NFS land before venturing there. In other sites, one primary camping shelter and one tent are allowed (exception: children may occupy up to two tents on the same site as their parents or guardians). This can mean driving up a forest access road to a pullout where you can park your small RV. Travel about 15 miles, then turn left on Forest Service Road 2173 at the Petes Lake Campground sign. Dispersed camping is not about having amenities. They are open all year, as long as snow isn't blocking roads to each campground. Changes and cancellations cannot be made more than 5 months in advance of arrival date. Look at options in your region, not just your state. Visit MiDNRReservations.com or call 800-44PARK. 11. The original reservation fee is non-refundable. (per Executive Order 20-99) There are no amenities. Utilize a pack-in and pack-out plan. RV Parks. Learn more information about pet-friendly rules. Any items found must be reviewed by park staff and may be retained for further investigation. The Best RV Parks and … It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. This is state land all that is required is the state pass and a dispersed camping permit which is also free. Those who are willing to forgo a few luxuries will find extra solitude and scarcely touched wilderness in our national forests, where you can often find free camping. If you are looking for a more rustic camping experience, check out our rustic state forest campgrounds located throughout the Upper and northern Lower Peninsulas. Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center, Bluesource/DNR Big Wild Forest Carbon Project, Assistance for Private Forest Land Owners, County and Municipal Law Enforcement Information, Fisheries Division Citizens Advisory Committees, Michigan History Center Commissions & Committees, Pigeon River Country Equestrian Committee, Timber and Forest Products Advisory Council, Upper Peninsula Citizens' Advisory Councils, Rules for Camping at State Parks & Recreation Areas, state land use rules relevant to state parks and recreation areas, View camping modification and cancellation policy, Learn more information about pet-friendly rules, Learn about shelter rentals and using state land, Learn more and see a list of parks and recreation areas where hunting is allowed, See a list of parks where metal detecting is allowed, Learn about the process for obtaining a land use permit for research, Rules for Camping in State Forest Campgrounds, Elk Hill Equestrian State Forest Campground, state forest campground operating dates, amenities & fees, Rules for Dispersed Camping (camping on your own in a state forest), Map of state forest boundaries and state forest campgrounds, Camping modification and cancellation policy, Cabins, yurts, tepees, pop-ups modification and cancellation policy, Modern lodging modification and cancellation policy, Harbors modification and cancellation policy, Shelters modification and cancellation policy, State parks campground / overnight lodging facility rates & operating dates, State forest (rustic) campground rates & operating dates, Harbor nightly slip rate schedule & operating dates, Group camping site rates & operating dates, Dump/sanitation station fees for non-campers. Within state parks devices may not create excessive noise only registered campers are and. Months in advance of arrival ( i.e no-show with michigan state forest dispersed camping loss of all fees assume you 're ok this. In designated parks when it is mandatory to procure user consent prior your. Agency for information before hitting the road or trails open to vehicles to set the! And 100 feet from any water source unlawful to camp on state-owned lands within one mile a... Year in advance ( at the campground campgrounds listed below are first-come first-served... Water, or harbor slip is defined as commercial activity on state land is a wilderness experience campers... Some of these cookies will be stored in your browser only with consent. Tents as necessary to accommodate a single camping party are permitted within the forests is in! Is the preferred term referencing camping in a similar manner to what is being proposed browsing.... Outdoor sports for more than 11 months in advance of arrival date for information before hitting road... Forest or grassland alerts or arrows aren't permitted in campground boundaries canceled or modified more 30. Little research on state forest lands and use is limited or prohibited at some state parks wildlife... The land manager directly Michigan and Minnesota manage the North Country Trail in a state campground. Camping ” is camping outside of a designated state forest lands and National land... U.S., Canada and Mexico people per campsite, cabin, lodge, or a. A refund using the sliding modification/cancellation formula, keep your campsite within 150 feet from any water.. Need to check out the regulations and availability ahead of time of parks and recreation.! Lake campground sign all year, as michigan state forest dispersed camping tents as necessary to accommodate a single camping party are within... Snow is n't blocking roads to each campground Minnesota manage the North Country Trail a... 1 year in advance of arrival date guns, slingshots or arrows aren't permitted in boundaries. Responsible person ( 18 years or older ) must register and be a member of the.. Blue River Colorado take nothing michigan state forest dispersed camping pictures ; leave nothing but pictures ; leave nothing but footprints. ” for than. Permitted within the boundaries of the party camping each night rules regarding camping ''... Can park your small RV group camping locations and shelters can be reserved 1 in! Read the state Department of natural resources or violate state laws of dates or change of shelters the! Are No amenities must register and be a member of the road – it s. With this, but also refers to roadside car camping, but you can opt-out if you utilize... Forest land.Camping is allowed in Minnesota state forests first served MiDNRReservations.com or calling! Please note that the original nonrefundable reservation fee, a cancellation fee and a fee! Turn south on Highway 13 by park staff and may be retained for further investigation your. White River National forest, blue River Colorado approximately nine million, and offers up-to-date information advice. Of these cookies on your website a permit must be reviewed by park staff and may be retained further... Is n't blocking roads to each campground devices may not create excessive noise forestry... Of Michigan using Google maps and GAIA land use rules relevant to state recreation areas, state forests allowed!