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Recreational
Vehicle Camping
in Michigan
RV camping in Michigan
offers great scenery, solitude, and outdoor recreation opportunities
for the whole family. From exclusive RV resorts, to
basic service public campgrounds, there is something for everyone in
Michigan's RV parks.
Free camping ideas
follow Michigan resources for RV camping.
Michigan
Resources for RV Camping Information
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Private
RV Parks - Research tools for finding
the best RV parks and campgrounds in Michigan.
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National Park Service - NPS information about National Park
Service administered lands and camping in Michigan. Lake shore
campgrounds makes great RV camping destinations.
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USDA Forest Service - USFS information about both National
Forests and free dispersed camping (boondocking), and
developed campgrounds in Michigan.
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- Michigan
State Tourism Website - Where to go, and what to do.
Includes campgrounds.
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State
Parks
- Information about state parks and
camping in Michigan. This link takes you to a
searchable database of camping in state parks and forests with
differing levels of facilities.
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Michigan
State Forests - Information about camping and
campgrounds. Hundreds of state forest campgrounds, and
according to their rules, you can camp anywhere in the forest at least
a mile from a campground where it is not posted "No Camping".
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Current Weather - From the National Weather
Service. Don't let bad weather spoil your camping
trip. Know what to pack.
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Historical
Weather - Includes monthly average highs, lows, mean
temperature,GPS location and elevation.
RV Camping pages
with more information
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USFS (US Forest Service) - Describes USFS
policies and rules about RV camping. Information about
dispersed camping, and tips on how to find great free RV camping sites.
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USACE/COE (US Army Corp of Engineers) - USACE (perhaps
better know as COE) manages water recreation areas throughout the
USA. Information about finding USACE lakes, RV camping
possibilities, and rules and policies for use of these water based
recreation areas is included.
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NPS (National Park Service) - General
information about RV camping and campgrounds in US National
Parks. With campgrounds in the most historic and scenic
places in the country, the NPS offers some of the best places for RV
camping.
We
recommend the Michigan Atlas & Gazetteer to find RV
camping locations. This Michigan topographic
atlas offers comprehensive detail including trails,
back country roads, lakes and streams, boat ramps, forests, wetlands,
campgrounds, public lands, and hunting and fishing locations.
Information about family trips, wilderness outing
possibilities, and more are included. Put that
together with DeLorme Topo 6.0
Software and
you have a powerful set of research tools to find the best RV camping
sites.
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Michigan
Free Camping
Many
towns offer free overnight RV camping and parking in Michigan.
Check with local Chamber of Commerce or Police about places to
park overnight.
DEARBORN
- Greenfield Village. Free Overnight parking behind police station on
Michigan Ave between Southfield and Greenfield. Also, dump station
& water at Green Village parking lot in bus and RV area.
Michigan
Free RV Camping Ideas
Here's a list of places to consider when looking for a free overnight
RV camping or parking location in Michigan. We always
recommend asking for overnight RV parking permission when looking for a
free spot to spend the night. The smaller your RV, the better
chances you will have finding places to stay if you choose not to ask
permission. If you don't ask permission, you end up
"sneaking" into places and hoping nobody bothers you or issues you a
trespassing ticket before you move on.
Be smart and Be Safe...Ask Permission!
- Truck
Stops - Asking permission is usually not a requirement Be
considerate of the big rigs!
- Walmart
- Not all stores allow overnight RV parking in Michigan due to city
ordinances. Check store for policy.
- Nightclubs
- Had one too many or just pretending?
- Grain
Elevators - Ask where you can park your RV out of the way for the
night.
- Fraternal
Organizations - VFW, Elks etc. may allow members free overnight RV
camping.
- Cemetery
- Sounds creepy to us, but we've also heard they may have water
available.
- Fairgrounds
- State and County facilities may allow RV camping when not otherwise
in
use.
- Parks
- City, County, State, and Community parks often have free RV camping.
- Churches
- You can almost make "reservations" by calling ahead for permission.
- Hotel
Parking Lots - Assuming a nightclub/bar is inside, had one too many or
just pretending?
- Truck
Terminals - Parking areas for large trucks might allow you free RV
camping permission
- RV
Dealers - Pretty brave to us, but you could fit right in.
- Cracker
Barrel - These nationwide restaurants usually allow free overnight RV
parking.
- Movie
Theaters - Too tired to drive home after the late show?
- Highway
Rest Areas - All rest areas allow a few hours of free RV parking, but
noisy.
- Drive
In Movies - Got a small RV, park in the back row and enjoy the
show. Fell asleep by accident right?
- Vehicle
Repair Shops - Need to see the repairman first thing in the morning?
- Big
Box Retailers - Kmart, Best Buy, Sams Club often allow free RV camping.
- Roadside
Parks & Picnic Areas - The early day version of the rest area.
As you can see, there are a lot of free RV camping and parking
possibilities in Michigan. If you are not asking permission,
it's best to keep a very low profile. If your RV has slide
outs, jacks and TV antennas, don't use them so as not to draw attention
to yourself. Consider your surroundings carefully and if you
feel uncomfortable with the area, move somewhere else.
Public lands offer great RV camping in Michigan. State, Federal, and
private campgrounds have basic service campsites with picnic tables and
fire rings, to full hookup RV resorts. Use the links to the public
lands websites above for specific information about camping and public
lands access. Research and explore, and you should have no trouble
finding the best campsites.
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