Scattered Camp in Michigan - The Boondocker Bible (2023)

FAQs

Is Boondocking legal in Michigan? ›

Is Boondocking Legal in Michigan? Boondocking is legal in many parts of Michigan, particularly in the sparsely populated upper peninsula. Michigan has plenty of wide-open spaces, but unlike some states out west, most of it is not government-owned, and there are more restrictions.

Michigan does not have BLM land but plenty of forest service land. Most of these public lands are located in the northern half of the lower peninsula and through the upper peninsula. If you are really looking to get away from it all look in the upper peninsula (the UP) as it is very remote.

Yes, camping is allowed on Michigan state land. Michigan state lands are managed by Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Existing state laws and regulations in the Great Lakes State allows people to disperse camp (boondocking) on these lands, along with camping in developed campgrounds.

Dispersed camping is allowed on Hiawatha National Forest lands except developed recreation and administrative sites, campgrounds and designated campsites.

Boondocking is camping without any hookups outside developed campgrounds. Federal agencies refer to boondocking as dispersed camping. Other terms used to describe boondocking include dry camping and off-grid camping.

The Lake Michigan National Recreation Area is just to the north and Ludington State Park to the south. Further into the Manistee National Forest are a half dozen free campsites.

'Boondocking' or dry camping on public land is generally allowed, but again, local laws apply. You're better off boondocking in rural areas, rather than cities in Michigan, according to Cruise America: Boondocking is legal in many parts of Michigan, particularly in the sparsely populated upper peninsula.

"Yes. There are no rules or laws against sleeping in your vehicle while at a Michigan rest area. And because there is no maximum time limit, that would be also include overnight sleeping. Note: Some rest areas in Michigan have signs posted prohibiting overnight parking and camping."

The Bureau protects undeveloped public lands. Some BLM areas offer dispersed BLM camping in California at little to no cost. You're typically allowed to stay up to 14 nights on BLM land, and some locations require a permit.

Yes! Boondocking in Michigan is legal, and it's particularly popular in the less densely populated portions of the Upper Peninsula.

Can you set up a tent anywhere in Michigan? ›

You cannot set up your campsite within a 1-mile radius of a rustic state forest campground. You cannot set up your campsite in a game area, recreation area, or a State Park. You have to follow all of the State Land Rules.

“The five-day quiet period creates a window of time, just prior to the opener, in which hunters can catch their breath and the woods have a chance to calm. This period is like pushing a reset button, allowing deer to settle back into their day-to-day patterns, which in turn increases the chances of a successful hunt.”

When boondocking, you take a shower just like you would when camped at an RV Park with full hookups. Taking a shower while boondocking doesn't have to be any different. However, most full time boondockers prefer to shower more efficiently.

Basic and Dispersed Permits:

You may camp almost anywhere in Land Between the Lakes. A Basic Camping Permit is required for each person 18 and over when camping in Basic Camping Facilities. A Dispersed Camping Permit is required when camping in non-designated areas of the recreation area.

And today, it's no different, with several free campsites available for those just passing through. Boondocking, sometimes referred to as dispersed camping, is popular in many areas of the region, as the Smoky Mountains contain miles and miles of public land.

Also known as driveway surfing, moochdocking is a lot like couch surfing in your RV. Basically, you park on someone's driveway or land, and you camp there.

Yes, it is very safe to leave your camper while boondocking. Very rarely do campers, RVs, and trailers get broken into or stolen when boondocking.

Because you're not connected to any services it's also called “dry camping.” Other terms you might see that all refer to boondocking are “free camping” and “wild camping.”

In the United States, it is illegal for individuals to live in cars, tents, or other items not deemed suitable for human dwelling. These housing standards exist even if you are on your land. You will need either a structure with a building permit or possess a camping permit.

Many Michiganders pack away their tents and park their RVs for the season once summer abandons the state. Not everyone quits camping when the icy chill of winter kicks in, though. Yes, winter camping is real in Michigan and 15 of Michigan's state parks are open to brave cold-weather campers.

How many state parks in Michigan can you camp on? ›

Michigan's 101 state parks and recreation areas cover 306,000 acres (124,000 ha) with 14,100 campsites in 142 campgrounds and over 900 miles (1,400 km) of trails.

Currently, the ordinance says a camper/travel trailer/motor home can be used for one 30-day period if it is located 1,000 feet or closer to a dwelling. If it is located more than 1,000 feet away, the restrictions aren't clear — it is not specific as to how many are allowed or how long they can be there.

There is no federal or state law that prohibits sleeping in your car.

Let's get right into it: Is it legal to live in an RV on land you own? The short answer is: Yes, as long as you live in the right place. The primary factor to consider is your jurisdiction's zoning codes. Most cities have rules that require all places of residence (RVs included) to follow the same ordinances.

Can You Sleep Overnight at a Michigan Rest Area? Yes. There are no rules or laws against sleeping in your vehicle while at a Michigan rest area. And because there is no maximum time limit, that would also include overnight sleeping.

Can I Sleep in My Car at a Campground? Many campgrounds, including some KOAs, will welcome guests who choose to sleep in their car at a campsite. It's always a good idea to call ahead so that you ensure you're reserving the right type of site for you car camping adventure.

No, it's not safe to sleep in your car with the engine running. Leaving your car engine turned on while sleeping could lead to dangerous exhaust fumes containing carbon monoxide entering the vehicle.

Yes, absolutely. As noted, use commonsense and be mindful of your neighbors. Use an appropriate generator and not an open-frame one.

The state with the highest percentage of federal land is Nevada, of which 80.1%, or 56,262,610 acres of its total landmass is federally managed.

Congress tasked the BLM with a mandate of managing public lands for a variety of uses such as energy development, livestock grazing, recreation, and timber harvesting while ensuring natural, cultural, and historic resources are maintained for present and future use.

Can you drink alcohol at a park in Michigan? ›

Sec. 915. (1) Alcoholic liquor shall not be consumed on the public highways. (2) Except as provided in subsections (3) and (4), alcoholic liquor may be possessed or consumed in public parks, public places of amusement, or a publicly owned area not licensed to sell for consumption on the premises.

Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in all parks with the exception of Dodge Park and Farmstead Park.

Yes, boondocking is allowed in Yellowstone National Park. However, boondocking is limited to just tent camping only, and only in specific areas of the park. Yellowstone also requires campers to obtain permits. These boondocking permits require advance reservations.

NO! It is not true that we can camp in Walmart parking lots. Never has Walmart extended an offer to travelers that their parking lots are campgrounds. There is NO camping allowed at Walmarts anywhere.

Campgrounds are required to be licensed in accordance with the Public Health Code in Michigan, Act 368, PA 1978, as amended. Annual licenses are issued by the Michigan Department of Environment Quality (MDEQ). The state of Michigan contracts with local health departments to annually inspect all campgrounds.

While conservation officers' mission is to protect Michigan's natural resources and the health and safety of the public through effective law enforcement and education, these certified peace officers also enforce all of Michigan's criminal laws. (Yes, this means they can pull you over for a traffic violation.)

“Currently, the DNR uses the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, and the open fields doctrine as an excuse to broadly enter people's private property without obtaining a warrant,” LaFave said.

“The five-day quiet period creates a window of time, just prior to the opener, in which hunters can catch their breath and the woods have a chance to calm. This period is like pushing a reset button, allowing deer to settle back into their day-to-day patterns, which in turn increases the chances of a successful hunt.”

Use Two 5-Gallon Buckets

It's very common to do laundry while boondocking this way. You fill one bucket with about 2 gallons of water along with your favorite laundry detergent. Then you fill the second bucket with about 2 gallons of clean water. You will also need a toilet bowl plunger.

How do you fill water when Boondocking? ›

If you can connect to a spigot, just use your hose to put water into the fresh water tank using the gravity fill. If boondocking with no hose, you will need a funnel to pour water from the tanks into the gravity fill. Again, you will need to access your external water jugs.

Try to keep at least one gallon of fresh, clean drinking water for each person, each day, while boondocking. Keep in mind that you can offset this recommendation by bringing other beverages like soda, juice, or even fresh fruit.

Alcohol: Public consumption of alcohol in Kentucky is prohibited. In the Tennessee portion of our forest, possessing alcoholic beverages outside designated campsites in Piney and Gatlin Point Campgrounds is prohibited.

Boondocking in an RV is when you camp without hookups to electricity, water, or sewage. You can boondock in many different ways, like staying overnight in a business parking lot or camping on public lands.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

While there are a number of beautiful campsites throughout this large park, the campground at Cades Cove is our pick for top car-camping destination. As one of the most popular gateways to the park, Cades Cove will be crowded, especially in the warmer months.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park has prohibited dogs in the backcountry since the park was first established in the 1930s for several reasons: Dogs can carry disease into the park's wildlife populations. Dogs can chase and threaten wildlife.

The Best Dispersed Camping in Mark Twain National Forest

The Dyrt provides you with a diverse selection of places to camp, from dispersed backcountry camping to boondocking, and everything in-between.

Boondocking is legal in many parts of Michigan, particularly in the sparsely populated upper peninsula. Michigan has plenty of wide-open spaces, but unlike some states out west, most of it is not government-owned, and there are more restrictions.

"Yes. There are no rules or laws against sleeping in your vehicle while at a Michigan rest area. And because there is no maximum time limit, that would be also include overnight sleeping. Note: Some rest areas in Michigan have signs posted prohibiting overnight parking and camping."

Can you buy land and then live on it with an RV? ›

Let's get right into it: Is it legal to live in an RV on land you own? The short answer is: Yes, as long as you live in the right place. The primary factor to consider is your jurisdiction's zoning codes. Most cities have rules that require all places of residence (RVs included) to follow the same ordinances.

(1) A vehicle must not be parked, except if necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the law or the directions of a police officer or traffic-control device, in any of the following places: (a) On a sidewalk. (b) In front of a public or private driveway. (c) Within an intersection.

Whether you're boondocking or staying in a campground, there are hazards. However, boondocking can be less dangerous than campgrounds. Theft is more likely to happen in a campground. A thief will more quickly target a campground than a forest in the middle of nowhere.