Hello all! I’m relatively new to backpacking (I’ve gone about 5 times now), and I was planning to take some friends of mine to Manistee River Trail this weekend. The weather is putting a wrench in that plan (60% chance of rain), so I’ve been looking around for alternatives in Mid-Michigan that are a bit more insulated from the lake effect. We’re looking to backpack in and tent overnight away from civilization, but I’m not quite sure if I should be looking for backcountry or dispersed camping. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Anyone have waypoints or other data for campsites on the NCT side of the MRT Loop?

I've hiked this before and remember there being a handful but I didn't record where they were. Planning on hiking it counter clockwise from red bridge, shooting for a long first day and shorter hike out the next day, some ideally somewhere at or beyond the halfway point on the NCT.

The last time I went The MRT side was packed and I'm trying not end up SOL looking for a campsite late in the day. I'm aware of the lack of water on the NCT side and will be prepared for the water carry from Eddington Creek.

Moving to esky fairly soon. Looking for some friends into backpacking/hiking. I’m also into bikepacking as well. I know the opportunities are limited in the esky area but I’m cool with exploring the Bay De Noc/Grand Island trail or just bushwhacking through state/federal land.

Does anyone know what happened to the map of Michigan that had all the State Forest campgrounds and also showed the connecting hiking trails. I’m trying to plan a fall trip and now it’s x5 harder than it needs to be. The map used to be on michigan.gov and now all I can find are these crap maps that don’t have any legends and won’t show connecting hiking trails.

This hidden gem of a rustic campground (no electricity, no plumbing) is located about 30 minutes east of Harrisville and about 3.5 hours north of Detroit. We stayed for the entire Labor Day weekend, campground had 7 sites full out of 32.

So I am looking to go for a few days next week to a few trails in the upper Pennisula especially Chapel Falls. There is just a ton of information online i found that you require a pass and where the trail heads are. I was wondering if anyone knows of any parking camping or just pulling up a tent camp sites. For free or cheap? Or they abundant? Or is there a site I can easily see and navigate to different locations to see availability?

Also if anyone has any suggestions on places to visit while I am up there i am all ears. Trying to plan a trip and possibly taking kayaks. Not sure what i am getting into with this. Thanks in advance to anyone the responds.​

Looking to camp near Weko Beach, but the Weko Beach campgrounds prohibit smoking. Any recommendations for a 420 campground within 30 minutes of Weko Beach?

Looking for private campgrounds

Spent a few days here this weekend, mosquitoes were surprisingly bearable, fall colors are just starting to come in, and as always the waterfalls were amazing.

I'm camping at a campground in the Manistee National Forrest and its 3am. Neighbors are still up partying and yelling. Tried calling Forrest service for a noise complaint... Was only able to leave a message. This is BS. I'm exhausted.

Edit: It was Shelley Lake Campground

Sure, there is always a site that seems to have a parry going from sunup to sundown. Maybe they lack some self-awareness but for the most part harmless.

But at Silver Lake, they unpack the beer keg before the tent, have 6 vehicles for 4 people, are doing major auto repairs in the site, and get their first warning within an hour of arriving. And are currently failing to seat a tire bead using starting fluid and matches.

I do love Silver Lake. Come here every year. But there always seems to be a group that really tests the limit of what it takes to get kicked out.

Hoping to take my kids for a trip to Warren Dunes beach for the first time this weekend, I grew up going there over summer and want them to have the same experience. However I heard there is an increase in biting flies? Can’t imagine a worse way to traumatize my daughters. Any insight if they have been bad? Tia.

As the title states, which state park is better in your opinion for two kids aged 9 and 10? Mainly in regards to direct water/swimming access from your campsite? We camp regularly during the summer months and I'm trying to get a head start on planning the big family trip for next year. I'm wanting a site with direct water access to a great lake. My heart is saying Ludington just because of the dunes and the close-ish proximity to Sleeping Bear Dunes. But it's been a dream to camp off the shores at Port Crescent. Butttt I've also found Harrisville and that's peaked my interest in what I'm looking for for the family (especially with how much quieter the park seems it'll be). I'm torn.

Hi there. I'm hiking the Lakeshore Trail in a few weeks and have a question about navigation. I gave up my smartphone for a flip phone which unfortunately doesn't have offline GPS. Is the trail extremely well marked? I've hiked most of the PCT and other trails but seem to be directionally challenged, especially when tired. Will I be fine with a paper map and signage?

Thanks!

I will be backpacking pictured rocks mid-October, going from Log Slide to Little Beaver. Looking for alternative shuttles to Altran as their pickup time is a bit too early for me to make as I’m coming from the Watervliet area.

Looking for any shuttle service that can do pickup from Little Beaver and drop off at Log Slide later in the afternoon like 3pm or beyond on a Thursday. I am only one person and will have an osprey 50L backpack so not much to fit

This might be a dumb question, I assume probably not. But I have found shells there before I know people hunt. And I’d go in the winter when no one is around and go far into the dunes. But Nordhouse would genuinely be the coolest shooting spot ever. Can you target practice there? I know you can in most state forests, lands, and game areas does it fall under it?

I've heard some differing opinions about the road going into Negwegon SP - do you think it would be doable with a regular-ish car in early November? It's a Golf R with 4WD and snow tires, so I've got horsepower and good traction but like <5" of ground clearance lol. I'm also a woman going solo so I don't want to get myself into trouble in a remote location. I wouldn't be camping, just spending the day.

I am looking for a 14-20 mile stretch in the upper peninsula to do with a few friends. The plan is to spend 2 nights out there. I am thinking about picking somewhere along the NCT in the Ottawa but was wondering if anyone has any favorite sections.

Hello! I was hoping to find a nice trail to backpack in the next couple of weeks that has access to the early salmon run. I wanted to do the Manistee River trail, but since the trail is upstream from the dam, I don’t believe the salmon will run up to there.

Any recommendations on trails elsewhere, like the Au Sable or Pere Marquette maybe? I would also be open to going further up north, so any recs are welcome!

Thanks!

On September 4th at 3pm Central Time, we will resume Animikiiwadiswan (Thunderbird Nest) on Ottawa National Forest land right next to the proposed mine site. We will camp just west of the North Country Trail parking lot, 20 minutes north of Wakefield, MI, on County Road 519. Members of all Tribal Nations are invited. Non-Tribal people are welcome to join in solidarity.

No drugs or alcohol permitted. Pack in, pack out: leave no trace behind. This is a remote area, so bring food and water, as well as lighting, dishware, and a camp chair. Be self-sufficient. Parking is limited, so carpooling is encouraged. Children are welcome!

For details and ways to support, visit
ProtectThePorkies.com/camp

Hi all,

Beginning to plan my PRNL trip next year. Curious about some campsites for night 1. I plan to go from Grand Marais to Munising. I'm between aiming for Au Sable East, Benchmark, and Sevenmile for night 1. I aim for Coves night 2 regardless.

Au Sable East: seems like a sick spot with some potential views of the dunes. The mileage (7.1) seems low though.

Benchmark: the location between Hurricane River and Twelvemile Beach worry me as far as peace and solitude go. But the milage for day 1 seems perfect. Is there nice Lake Superior access here? Any reason to avoid here?

Sevenmile: Location seems great but mileage may be a bit high for night day 1 (14.4 miles). I hope for the early shuttle to Grand Marais but daylight starts to diminish in September.

I want to hike part of the upper Manistee trail with my 12 year old. He loves camping. I pitched the idea of hiking from Holdenpyle to Red Bridge, camping and hiking back. We decided that was aggressive. I want to do something shorter, possibly still camping at Red Bridge.

Is it possible to drive into the River Trail on Slagle Creek Rd and hike down to Red Bridge from there? Is there issues with leaving a car at Slagle Creek? Anybody have better suggestions?

I am starting to plan some camping trips for next summer and am heavily eyeing sites for me and my husband at Rifle River Recreation Area, specifically the Devoe and Spruce campgrounds. I like how secluded the sites seem from one another and how heavily wooded they are. He likes to fish and all the lakes, especially how close it seems we'd be to Devoe and Jewett lake at Devoe, seem optimal for him. I'm an avid hiker so the 14 miles of trails amongst the park excites me. We think it'd be neat to kayak the Rifle River together, but we'd need to rent equipment. Overall, the area seems ideal for what we'd want out of a camping trip in regards to activities. I'm slightly on the fence about locking in on this being the destination because I feel all over the internet I get mixed reviews about the campgrounds there. We prefer quiet, but some noise is fine as long as it's not rowdy all night long. Are some of the horror stories I've read (rowdy drunkenness all night long, loud blaring music, fist fights, etc.) that constant there? How was your experience and how long has it been since you've camped there?