Forest camping in Michigan
With lakes and forests covering two-thirds of the state, Michigan is a camper's paradise.
- Michigan
96% (7271 reviews)
Popular camping styles for Michigan
Star Hosts in Michigan
12 top forest campgrounds in Michigan
100%
(294)
Bear Tree Homestead
3 sites · Lodging50 acres · Trowbridge Park, Marquette
Bear Tree Homestead is nestled among the cliffs and ravines which drains the south face of Hogback Mountain into Lake Superior.
Hogback Mountain is one of the larger rock formations in the Huron Range, a surprisingly rugged, and diverse region of low mountains carved by glaciers.
We have been inspired by these ancient rocks to build our homestead with materials gathered on our land.
Each cabin is hand-built of log and stone using traditional Scandinavian building tools and techniques.
The Pond Cabin is completely off the grid and the Orchard Cabin with electricity and handpump water.
Our buildings, gardens, and pastures are integrated into the forested landscape and are not your typical homestead.
One of the most wonderful things we have to offer is the accessibility to thousands of protected acres surrounding us and the trails that bisect them.
We are located 8 miles from downtown Marquette in Michigan's Upper Peninsula where there are many great restaurants, shops, and brewpubs.
However, once you drive into Bear Tree Homestead and settle in you will not want to leave.
from
$87
/ night
98%
(169)
EcoXtreme Adventure Destination
1 site · Lodging34 acres · Delaware, Keweenaw
"It seems to me that the natural world is the greatest source of excitement; the greatest source of visual beauty; the greatest source of intellectual interest. It is the greatest source of so much in life that it makes life worth living." David AttenboroughWe've been about a greener lifestyle for decades--before green was "popular," before building tiny houses was the "trend," and before living a freer life off-the-grid was "a thing". Our mission is to provide an environmentally sustainable getaway where you will encounter off-the-grid living first hand for that unique experience. In the beautiful backdrop of the Keweenaw Peninsula of Upper Michigan (U.P.), we've built a sustainable, off-grid retreat where you can design your own personal EcoXtreme adventure. Enjoy this back-country timber- frame haven among a forest of birch and pine, next to the magical flow of the Montreal River, and surrounded by a cornucopia of recreational offerings. Extreme skiing, mountain biking, kayaking, sailing, surfing, and scuba are just a few of the exploits available.
from
$135
/ night
98%
(142)
Blooming Bus Farms
9 sites · Lodging15 acres · Niles, Berrien
Blooming Bus farms is a working urban flower, vegetable and fiber farm practicing sustainable, organic, natural farming practices. Spread out over 15 acres, upon completion, you’ll find 4 yurt sites and 3 byo tent sites. Working hard contributing to our compost are our alpaca and free range chickens. While this is a working farm, we try to not run any equipment before 10:00am!
from
$75
/ night
100%
(37)
The 40 Acre Wood
5 sites · Lodging40 acres · Shelby, Oceana
www.facebook.com/the40acrewood
Before our forest was "owned," it belonged to the Odawa people. Once white settlers arrived and governments were established, land deeds were written. We traced those deeds back through the Oceana County Register of Deeds and found that larger tracts of land were owned by people from Chicago and California, which were later divided into smaller parcels.
Interestingly, one owner lost the property after failing to pay back taxes of $3.50, shortly after World War II. It is likely that he never returned.
In the mid-1900s, Ed Dewey was the owner. Today, we have a cabin on the east side of the 40 acres that was built by Ed, entirely constructed with oak. He had three sawmills there, each powered by the engines of old Studebakers. He cut and milled enormous oak trees, using the wood to construct crates for transporting cherries. Today, you can still see old oak crates on various farms, but they are slowly being replaced by plastic.
Ed never finished the little cabin, and the story goes that he died there.
The next owners were a couple from Inkster, near Detroit. Despite Ed leaving an acre of "yard art" all over, the place was used as a vacation home after a 50-foot long mobile home was placed near the cabin. As they aged, they sold off their property to us. First, we acquired the 20 acres where the Cozy Camper Cabin resides, then the 7 acres near Weaver Road and 44th, and finally, the remaining 13 acres with the cabin. We began purchasing the property in parcels in 1992 for $500 an acre and owned it all by 1998.
From 1998 to 2008, we removed the mobile home, cleaned up all the yard art, refurbished the cabin, added a garage, and built a new shed nearby. The Hipcamp shed was originally built in 1999 and has been used for storage until it was converted into a unique little place in the woods in 2021.
Over the years, our Forester has carefully managed the property. We have logged three times. The first round was to remove 75 huge oak trees. The second round involved culling mature poplar trees. The last time, we took out 276 mature oaks and beeches. A Woodsman spent a year cutting down the tops of the trees. Clearing these old growth trees revitalized the forest, as planned.
Today, there are over two miles of trails running throughout the property. Some were logging roads, while others were carved out over time. The land is flat to the north but hilly to the south, as these are forested sand dunes. There are approximately a million trees on the property, densely forested with many large "mother trees" such as oaks, beeches, maples, and pines. The poplar trees are growing rapidly, as they do. Wild cherry, sassafras, beeches, oaks, and maples are also growing quickly and thickly.
To the south, there are fenced-in asparagus fields and cherry orchards. To the north, on the other side of Weaver Road, is the privately owned Silver Lake Airport, which remains quiet most of the time. On the east side of our 40 acres, you'll find our cabin and buildings, and we kindly ask you to avoid wandering onto that side of the property. Signs will alert you when you get close.
To the west, there is a 20-acre section occasionally occupied by some "Dunners." The area is famous for Silver Lake State Park and the sand dunes, located about 2.5 miles northwest of us. Our neighbors in that area have dune buggies, and they sometimes drive around their property, creating more noise than we prefer. It's possible that you may encounter this during your visit, so please be aware.
Deer are abundant in the area, and in 2021, we spotted a porcupine for the first time, although we have occasionally seen evidence of their presence through bark-stripped maples. Raccoons come and go, while turkeys are frequent visitors at times. You can hear coyotes yipping away at night, and depending on the time of year and migratory season, you'll see lots and lots of birds.
We're pleased to report that there is no poison ivy on the property!
It is a beautiful place in the woods, not far from many entertaining activities suitable for both the young and old. Come and visit, but please be respectful of the land and our privacy while enjoying yours.
Love Mother Earth while you are here and nourish your soul.
from
$69
/ night
100%
(2)
Dragon Adventures Base Camp
9 sites · RVs, Tents23 acres · White Cloud, Newaygo
Dragon Adventures Base Camp is 23 acres of adventurous fun in the heart of a great adventure area! Mountain biking and hiking on the 43 mile Dragon Trail, paddling on Hardy Pond or the Muskegon River, boating, and the most popular beach are all just minutes away. At the Base Camp you’ll find a cabin for rent, campsites, an amazing beer garden with firepits, yard games, and tons of woods and trails to explore year round! Mark and Amy love hosting folks for their adventures! Come as strangers but leave as friends!
from
$15
/ night
94%
(9)
DaltonTraders Base Camp-Grand Cabin
3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Muskegon, Muskegon
40 acre secluded wood lot located:
10 miles from Lake Michigan public beaches.
5 miles from Michigan’s Adventure amusement park.
4 miles from Thunderbird Raceway
2 miles from US 31 expressway.
3 miles from shopping, bars and restaurants.
1 mile from public golf course.
5 miles from downtown Muskegon.
8 miles from Lake Express cross lake ferry terminal.
from
$40
/ night
100%
(45)
McCormick Artisans Woods/River
3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents33 acres · Jonesville, Hillsdale
We bought this property in 2012 and have built several buildings and forged paths throughout the 32 acres. Our road is part of the North Country Trail, a footpath stretching over 4,600 miles from Middlebury in central Vermont to Lake Sakakawea State Park in central North Dakota. While tearing down the existing house, we constructed two bedrooms in the pole barn for a quick living space. Once settled in the pole barn, we a built a small log cabin with already felled timbers from the local woods, except for the box frame which was purchased from the local Amish. Prior to building our permanent log cabin home, this small cabin was our camp site and is now being rented to people that want to relax and enjoy the outdoors. In the middle of the woods, we created a campground to be enjoyed and on the North side of our property is a tree line between two fields that is a great small camper/tent camping spot.
from
$40
/ night
100%
(6)
"Elysium Heritage Farm"
3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents120 acres · Pinconning, Bay
"Elysium Heritage Farm" is situated on 120 acres in Northeast, MI surrounded by woods, trails, ponds and canals. Enjoy access to a small farm that includes fainting goats, chickens, turkeys, rabbits, and more. Bring your pole and try your luck at some catch and release fishing. Enjoy viewing numerous types of wildflowers, birds, and butterflies. Depending on the season, (and how quietly you walk the trails) you may experience a wide variety of wildlife species. Although we don't allow motorized ATVs, you are welcome to bring a golf cart. Most of the trails are improved enough to allow you access.
The property is located just (5) miles off I-75 so it's also a convenient mid-trip destination for those on a longer distance excursion. In case you plan on fishing the local hotspots on Lake Huron (15 minutes away) and are trailering a boat, there is plenty of area to park your rig during your stay.
It's only a ten minute drive to Pinconning, where you can experience Michigan's "Cheese Town" and all it has to offer. There's a grocery store, numerous cheese shops, and a variety of party stores and restaurants. For the outdoor enthusiasts, don't miss out on going to the ever-famous "Northwoods Wholesale Outlet". Also nearby is the "Saganing Eagles Landing Casino" in Standish. We have resided here for over 30 years and can assist you in many ways to get the most out of your visit.
By the way, the definition of the word "Elysium" is "Place of perfect bliss" and yes, we labeled it that long before the movie with Matt Damon was created.
from
$29
/ night
98%
(105)
Boondock Ridge
1 site · RV, Tent1 acre · Gladwin, Gladwin
Learn more about this land:The spot Is on the riverbank and private.
Beautiful river view and access.
Short foot trail down to the river where there is a dock providing access to river and a artesian well that has been tested for purity
Perfect to tie up a float and watch the wildlife.
from
$30
/ night
98%
(78)
Northern Oasis
7 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Marquette
Our property is located between Marquette and Negaunee, in Michigans Upper Peninsula. We are approx 8 miles from the shores of beautiful Lake Superior and 53 miles from Pictured Rocks National Park. We are about 4.5 miles off of US 41 nestled in a quiet forest like setting.
We built our home here in 2019 and are continually making improvements to the land. We tap our trees for maple syrup in the spring-you will drive by our "sugar shack" and raise chickens in our very nice coop -say hello to them when you fill up with water from our spout/hose near the large fire pit and the coop.
Come and enjoy some peace and quiet at our Northern Oasis!
We are near rivers for fishing and kayaking-kayaks for rent on this site-see extras! We are on the route of the Ore to Shore Mountain Bike epic and not far from the North Country Trail.
We have open sites and a few more private sites.
If you don't like what is available please don't hesitate to contact us-we do have other options.
The picnic table and fire pit is for anyone on the site. There are yard games, extra chairs and a small table in the red shed. This can also be used as a storm shelter if needed!
from
$28
/ night
100%
(2)
Ellens Cabin
1 site · Lodging40 acres · West Ishpeming, Marquette
Looking for a remote cabin for a romantic getaway or a relaxing time in the big Northwoods? Ellen’s cabin is off-grid (12volt DC, solar), has no running water and limited cellphone service. It’s 1/2 a mile from a dirt road which is a portion of the North Country Trail, sitting in the rugged Michigamme Highlands, close to Silver Lake and Dead River Basins.
The cabin is fully equipped and is 45 minutes from Ishpeming and an hour from Marquette. There is a wood stove and back-up propane for heat, a gas stove and small grill for cooking and a small fridge.
There is a double bed, two single beds and a pull-out futon and all bedding is provided. There is also an open area upstairs for yoga or for children to play.
There is a fire ring with wood provided, a deck with great views of the Mulligan escarpment and an outhouse.
There are lots of opportunities to see birds and other wildlife and for this reason we do not allow dogs, hunting or motorized sports.
from
$100
/ night
100%
(6)
Endless Adventure
6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Cedar Springs, Kent
Enjoy a slice of heaven with the richest joys of Michigan, all in one place. Swim, soak in the hot tub or indoor pool (pending construction), meet the floofiest kitties and witness the miracles of a natural ecosystem.
Butterflies
Wildflowers
Kindness
Grounding
Peacocks
Chickens
Egrets
Herons
Diving Birds
Barn and shed style cabins (not empty, but they have room to fit some camp beds inside) no utilities.
Cement camper pad (hookups not guaranteed, last we checked electrical worked but other utilities not available) .
Put your tent anywhere near a labeled campsite sign (or in a secluded area if campsite signs are not available).
And so so much more!
from
$19
/ night
Under $50
Available this weekend
Nearby parks
Explore the area’s public lands.
Forest camping in Michigan guide
Welcome to Hipcamp, your go-to website for camping in the United States! If you're looking to immerse yourself in the beauty of the forest in Michigan, you're in luck. We offer over 1700 options specifically tailored to your activity and terrain preference. Whether you're a wildlife enthusiast, an avid fisherman, or a biking enthusiast, you'll find the perfect campsite to suit your needs. Our top campsites, such as Mulln-Heim Vineyards (342 reviews), Camp Moonshadow (246 reviews), and Lynx Run Wilderness Retreat (236 reviews), have been highly rated by our campers. And with popular amenities like campfires, potable water, and pet-friendly options, you'll have everything you need for a memorable outdoor experience. Plus, with an average price per night of just $39 and options as low as $10, camping in Michigan's forest has never been more affordable. Start planning your adventure today and discover the wonders of camping with Hipcamp!
Top cities in and near Michigan
Top regions in and near Michigan
Safety at Hipcamp
Hipcamp is created with ❤️ and hope for our future.