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Camping in Michigan: campsites, permits and passes

Camping in Michigan starts in one of a few places: Michigan State Parks for state park campsites, Recreation.gov for federal campgrounds, or free dispersed camping on National Forest land. Here's where to book each, plus permits, passes and licences.

Most people go to:

State park campsites

Michigan state park campgrounds are booked through Michigan State Parks ↗. Book as early as you can for summer and holiday weekends, and check each park's page for cabins, yurts, group sites and pet rules.

National parks in Michigan

• Isle Royale National Park

Campgrounds in national parks are booked on Recreation.gov. See every park, monument and historic site in Michigan on the National Park Service Michigan page ↗.

National forests and free camping

Michigan's national forests include Hiawatha, Huron-Manistee, Ottawa. Developed campgrounds are booked on Recreation.gov (some are first-come, first-served), and most national forest land allows free dispersed camping away from developed sites, usually for up to 14 days. Check the forest's rules and any fire restrictions first.

Permits and lotteries

• Isle Royale is reached only by ferry or seaplane; backcountry campers need a permit from the park.

Fishing and hunting licences

Licences for Michigan are sold by the Michigan DNR ↗, online or at local retailers. Rules and seasons differ by species and water, so check before you go.

Passes

The America the Beautiful pass covers entrance fees at national parks and many federal lands in Michigan. State parks usually sell their own day or annual passes; see Michigan State Parks.

Best time to camp in Michigan

Late May to early October. Fall colour weekends book up early; winter camping is possible in some parks with heated cabins or yurts.

Questions

Packing checklists

Nearby states (Midwest)