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Public land camping

Camping in Michigan

86 federal places to camp in Michigan, from Forest Service and National Park Service, on the land they sit on.

86
federal places to camp
77 Forest Service, 9 National Park Service
1,597
campsites you can book ahead
At the 78 places that take reservations on Recreation.gov. 4 more are first come, first served
1,815 ft
the highest you can drive to
Sylvania (Clark Lake) Campground
19
counties with federal camping
41 gateway towns, each with three or more within 30 miles

The Michigan campground map

Select a pin for its elevation, its sites and its page. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see how you get there, and use the finder for a campground, a town or a peak.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Camping near a town

Every federal campground in Michigan

86 places

  1. Au Sable Loop Campground Forest Service · Huron-Manistee National Forests · Oscoda County 934 ftelevation 5sites 75 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  2. Au Train Lake Campground Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Alger County 633 ftelevation 33sites 60 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  3. Ausable River Camping Forest Service · Huron-Manistee National Forests · Oscoda County 934 ftelevation 101sites 40 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  4. Bass Lake Campsite Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Schoolcraft County 753 ftelevation 1site 16 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  5. Bay Furnace Campground Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Alger County 622 ftelevation 49sites 65 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  6. Bay View Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest 602 ftelevation 24sites 50 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  7. Bear Lake Campsite Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Delta County 699 ftelevation 1site 24 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  8. Black River Harbor Campground Forest Service · Ottawa National Forest 600 ftelevation 37sites n/alongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  9. Bobcat Lake Camp Forest Service · Ottawa National Forest · Gogebic County 1,570 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig First comepay on arrival
  10. Bowman Bridge Forest Service · Huron-Manistee National Forests · Lake County 754 ftelevation 17sites 50 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  11. Brevoort Lake Campground Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Mackinac County 628 ftelevation 71sites 45 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  12. Camp Cook Campsite Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Delta County 763 ftelevation 1site 40 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  13. Camp Seven Lake Campground Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Delta County 758 ftelevation 39sites 60 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  14. Carp River Campground Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Mackinac County 631 ftelevation 20sites 45 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  15. Carr Lake Campsite Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Delta County 704 ftelevation 1site 32 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  16. Chicago Lake Campsites Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Delta County 753 ftelevation 4sites 32 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  17. Chimney Loop Campground group campground Forest Service · Huron-Manistee National Forests · Oscoda County 1,147 ftelevation 1site n/alongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  18. Clear Lake Campsite Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Schoolcraft County 775 ftelevation 1site 20 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  19. Colwell Lake Campground Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Schoolcraft County 752 ftelevation 40sites 60 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  20. Cookson Lake Campsites Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Schoolcraft County 762 ftelevation 5sites n/alongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  21. Council Lake Campsites Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Alger County 806 ftelevation 4sites n/alongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  22. Crooked Lake Campsite Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Schoolcraft County 750 ftelevation 1site 24 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  23. D.H. Day Campground Park Service · Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore · Leelanau County 592 ftelevation 82sites 35 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  24. D.H. Day Group Campground group campground Park Service · Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore · Leelanau County 603 ftelevation 4sites n/alongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  25. East Lake Campsites Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Schoolcraft County 707 ftelevation 3sites 40 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  26. Ewing Point Campsite Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Schoolcraft County 783 ftelevation 1site n/alongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  27. Flowing Well Campground Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Delta County 617 ftelevation 6sites 25 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  28. Gabions Campground Forest Service · Huron-Manistee National Forests · Alcona County 851 ftelevation 8sites 75 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  29. Gleasons Landing Forest Service · Huron-Manistee National Forests · Lake County 739 ftelevation 6sites n/alongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  30. Gooseneck Lake Campsites Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Delta County 770 ftelevation 3sites 24 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  31. Grand Island Cabins cabin or lookout Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Alger County 629 ftelevation 2sites n/alongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  32. Henry Lake Camp Forest Service · Ottawa National Forest · Gogebic County 1,594 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig First comepay on arrival
  33. Hovey Lake Campsites Forest Service · Alger County 888 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig First comeor not listed
  34. Hungerford Equestrian Group Campsite group campground Forest Service · Huron-Manistee National Forests · Newaygo County 1,136 ftelevation 1site 60 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  35. Hurricane River Campground Park Service · Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore 644 ftelevation 21sites 42 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  36. Ironjaw Lake Campsite Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Schoolcraft County 784 ftelevation 1site 24 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  37. Island lake Forest Service · Huron-Manistee National Forests · Oscoda County 1,300 ftelevation 17sites 70 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  38. Island Lake Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Alger County 849 ftelevation 11sites 45 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  39. Jackpine Lake Campsites Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Delta County 776 ftelevation 2sites 24 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  40. Kneff Lake Campground Forest Service · Huron-Manistee National Forests · Crawford County 1,203 ftelevation 27sites 80 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  41. Lake Michigan at Manistee Forest Service · Huron-Manistee National Forests · Mason County 621 ftelevation 53sites 54 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  42. Lake Michigan at St. Ignace Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Mackinac County 602 ftelevation 33sites 45 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  43. Lake Nineteen Campsite Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Schoolcraft County 774 ftelevation 1site n/alongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  44. Lake Ottawa Campground Forest Service · Ottawa National Forest · Iron County 1,535 ftelevation 31sites n/alongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  45. Langford Lake Boat Launch Forest Service · Ottawa National Forest · Gogebic County 1,682 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig First comeor not listed
  46. Leg Lake Campsites Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Schoolcraft County 708 ftelevation 2sites 32 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  47. Little Bass Lake Campsites Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Schoolcraft County 745 ftelevation 5sites 24 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  48. Little Bay de Noc Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Delta County 593 ftelevation 38sites 60 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  49. Little Beaver Campground Park Service · Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore · Alger County 620 ftelevation 9sites 28 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  50. Lyman Lake Campsites Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Delta County 761 ftelevation 10sites 40 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  51. Mack Lake ORV Campground Forest Service · Huron-Manistee National Forests · Oscoda County 1,178 ftelevation 41sites 80 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  52. Marion Lake Group Site group campground Forest Service · Ottawa National Forest · Gogebic County 1,629 ftelevation 1site n/alongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  53. Marzinski Horse Campground horse camp Forest Service · Huron-Manistee National Forests · Manistee County 690 ftelevation 19sites n/alongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  54. Mckeever Cabin cabin or lookout Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Schoolcraft County 808 ftelevation 1site n/alongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  55. Meadows ORV Campground Forest Service · Huron-Manistee National Forests · Oscoda County 1,146 ftelevation 12sites 80 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  56. Minerva Lake Campsite Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Schoolcraft County 725 ftelevation 1site 16 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  57. Monocle Lake Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Chippewa County 642 ftelevation 42sites 80 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  58. Monument Campground Forest Service · Huron-Manistee National Forests · Iosco County 825 ftelevation 19sites 50 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  59. Moosehead Lake Camp Forest Service · Ottawa National Forest · Gogebic County 1,691 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig First comepay on arrival
  60. Mowe Lake Campsites Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Delta County 792 ftelevation 2sites 32 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  61. Nichols Lake South Campground Forest Service · Huron-Manistee National Forests · Newaygo County 843 ftelevation 28sites 65 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  62. Perch Lake Campground Forest Service · Ottawa National Forest · Iron County 1,546 ftelevation 20sites n/alongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  63. Pete’s Lake Campground Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Schoolcraft County 800 ftelevation 48sites 75 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  64. Peterson Bridge Forest Service · Huron-Manistee National Forests · Wexford County 808 ftelevation 31sites 64 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  65. Pines Point Campground Forest Service · Huron-Manistee National Forests · Oceana County 656 ftelevation 5sites 80 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  66. Platte River Campground Park Service · Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore · Benzie County 612 ftelevation 171sites 40 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  67. Pomeroy Lake Camp Forest Service · Ottawa National Forest · Gogebic County 1,643 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig First comepay on arrival
  68. Popple Campground - South Manitou Island Park Service · Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore · Leelanau County 653 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig First comeor not listed
  69. Rollways Campground Forest Service · Huron-Manistee National Forests · Iosco County 864 ftelevation 19sites 55 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  70. Round Lake Forest Service · Huron-Manistee National Forests · Iosco County 797 ftelevation 33sites n/alongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  71. Sand Lake Campground Forest Service · Huron-Manistee National Forests · Manistee County 858 ftelevation 44sites 40 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  72. Seaton Creek Campground Forest Service · Huron-Manistee National Forests · Wexford County 871 ftelevation 19sites n/alongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  73. Soldier Lake Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Chippewa County 897 ftelevation 44sites 75 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  74. South Branch Trail Camp Group Site group campground Forest Service · Huron-Manistee National Forests · Iosco County 880 ftelevation 1site n/alongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  75. South Manitou Group Campground group campground Park Service · Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore 575 ftelevation 6sites n/alongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  76. Steuben Lake Campsites Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Schoolcraft County 742 ftelevation 2sites 24 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  77. Swan Lake Campsites Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Schoolcraft County 788 ftelevation 4sites 40 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  78. Sylvania (Clark Lake) Campground Forest Service · Ottawa National Forest · Gogebic County 1,815 ftelevation 47sites 80 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  79. Three Lakes Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Chippewa County 879 ftelevation 10sites 20 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  80. Tom's Lake Cabin cabin or lookout Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Schoolcraft County 787 ftelevation 1site 24 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  81. Triangle Lake Campsites Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Schoolcraft County 761 ftelevation 2sites 32 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  82. Twelvemile Beach Campground and Cabin cabin or lookout Park Service · Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore 636 ftelevation 36sites 36 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  83. Upper Manistee River Backcountry Campsites Forest Service · Huron-Manistee National Forests · Manistee County 694 ftelevation 11sites 20 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  84. Village Campground - North Manitou Island Park Service · Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore 606 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig First comeor not listed
  85. Wagner Lake Forest Service · Huron-Manistee National Forests · Oscoda County 1,141 ftelevation 12sites 70 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  86. Widewaters Campground Forest Service · Hiawatha National Forest · Alger County 798 ftelevation 32sites 58 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov

Camping rules worth knowing in Michigan

Dispersed camping on the Huron-Manistee needs no permit
You do not need to pay a fee or obtain a permit to camp outside a designated campground on the Huron-Manistee, and dispersed and primitive tent camping is allowed almost anywhere unless posted closed or no camping. The one hard limit is water: dispersed camping is not allowed within 200 feet of a river, lake, stream or other body of water. Source 34
Dispersed camping on state forest land
Camping away from a campground is allowed on state forest land and costs nothing, as long as the site is more than one mile from a state forest campground. It may not be in a state park, a recreation area, a state forest campground or a state game area, and not where camping is posted against. A backpacking registration card has to be filled in and posted at the site for the whole stay, kept legible, and left there when you go. Cards come off the DNR site or from a local DNR office. Source 12
National forest camping is set forest by forest
The Ottawa allows 14 days in a developed recreation site and no longer than 16 days in any one location when camping dispersed, after which you move at least five miles. The Huron-Manistee charges no fee and requires no permit for dispersed camping, allows it almost anywhere that is not posted closed, and draws one hard line: not within 200 feet of a river, lake, stream or other water. Pictured Rocks is the opposite case. Every site there is reserved in advance, and camping outside a designated campground, including on the beach, is not allowed at all. Source 31
Nothing outside a campground at Pictured Rocks
The national lakeshore takes no drop-ins. Every campsite there is reserved in advance through the federal reservation system, drive-in campgrounds run May 15 to October 15 at $25 a night across three rustic campgrounds, and backcountry sites carry a $15 reservation fee per trip plus $5 per person per night. Camping anywhere outside a designated campground is not allowed, and that includes the beach and any form of dispersed camping. Source 42

The full guide to overlanding Michigan

By agency

By county

Campground records: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), read September 19, 2026. Elevations: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Fees, seasons and limits change; confirm with the managing office before you go.

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