[dtlongrifles]

I'm a Michigan native who has been living in the Western U.S. for a number of years. When I was a teenager back in the 1980s I would camp out for weeks at a time during the summer in the U.P. for free, on state land and in the National forest; from Lake Superior, down to the Lake Michigan shoreline, over to the straights of Mackinac. Back then the camping was free as long as it was not at a designated campground and you didn't need any special stickers or endorsements to use state land. It's been awhile since I've been back to Michigan and I'd like to spend most of the summer traveling the U.P. and tent camping out of my car. Is it still possible to camp for free on public land in the U.P.?

[michmoldman]

You can camp anywhere on state land that is at least a mile from a campground I believe.

[Coldjensens]

Yes; Do some hunting through Google. There are free campgrounds. They are first come first serve and have pit toilets if anything. most are small - 3-5 sites. Many of the free camp sites are accessible only by boat or a long hike, but there are some that are for car camping. I found two near the bridge one year when we went up for the bridge walk. They are nto the prettiest places and you have to be quick - no reservations. You can also camp along the trail while hiking in many state and national forests/parks. You need a permit.

[ABQConvict]

The term most often used by government entities to refer to primitive camping on non-developed land is dispersed camping.

This is what the Michigan DNR has to say:

Dispersed camping can take place on state-owned land other than state parks, recreation areas, state forest campgrounds or state game area campgrounds. You can camp anywhere on State Forest Property as long as:

the property is not posted "No Camping"
you are more than one mile from a designated State Forest Campground
you follow all State Land Rules
You must also post a Camp Registration Card (PR 4134) at your campsite. See the links below to download and print a Camp Registration Card. The Camp Registration Card may also be available at your local DNR Office.
Source:DNR - Dispersed Camping

Personally I think the Camp Registration Card is a bit of bureaucratic overkill, but I suppose it is to discourage permanent camps (hobo/homeless camps).

[GWTJ]

Originally Posted by dtlongrifles

I'm a Michigan native who has been living in the Western U.S. for a number of years. When I was a teenager back in the 1980s I would camp out for weeks at a time during the summer in the U.P. for free, on state land and in the National forest; from Lake Superior, down to the Lake Michigan shoreline, over to the straights of Mackinac. Back then the camping was free as long as it was not at a designated campground and you didn't need any special stickers or endorsements to use state land. It's been awhile since I've been back to Michigan and I'd like to spend most of the summer traveling the U.P. and tent camping out of my car. Is it still possible to camp for free on public land in the U.P.?

Get this book "Free and Low Cost Campgrounds".

[dtlongrifles]

Thank you for the information.

[hujev]

Yes, the exact same conditions as you remember from the 80s are still (and hopefully always will be) in effect; on state and national forests so long as not right near established campgrounds, etc. or on the shore of the great lakes.

I did this for six months this summer, camping here and there all across the UP (including some time on my own land), to save money and see some of my state that I'd been away from for too long! From Irnwood to the Soo to the Keweenaw to Menominee County! You can get maps or atlases that show which lands are USFS and State Forests, or get pdf vestions on their websites. For USFS land, the National Forest 'Forest Visitor maps' (FVM), available at their ranger offices, are excellent, and show all roads and FS ownership. They were $10 but are about to go up to, I think, ~$15. They're on almost indestructable plastic paper.

See the detailed rules on how long you're allowed to stay at one site, limitations (none unreasonable), etc. on the National Forest and MI DNR websites. It's a great thing, and some states don't allow this same level of camping freedom on state forests (National Forests are the same rules nationwide).

The regular campgrounds (with tables, etc.) all all in teh (this thing needs a spellcheck) $12-17 range now and as far as I'm concerned, too crowded and overdeveloped (hand pumps and outhouses being replaced with water faucets & flush loos). Plus they tend to be crowded with motorhomes & trailers with generators, satellite dishes. etc. and are mostly run now by contract companies (who have 'volunteer' [=unpaid] staff living onsite). AND apparently you're supposed to buy some sort of vehicle pass to even have drive through them (which I ignored when going there for water!). That may appeal to some, but it's also possible to park a trailer on a nice backwoods spot for 2 or 3 weeks and have real peace (I see this now and then) - better yet, use a tent and hear the whippoorwills!

[dtlongrifles]

Excellent information, Hujev. That's exactly what I was hoping to hear. I plan on taking a tent for mobility. I haven't been to Michigan for a while and I want to see as much as I can.

[Vegabern]

Apply everything above to National Forest Service land as well.