After camping all my life at numerous campgrounds and getting very tired of inconsiderate campers, I would like to try dispersed camping. I understand that you are supposed to leave no trace, so there usually aren't any designated firepits. However, I'm not sure if I trust myself to have a safe campfire without a firepit. Are there any specific forests and/or primitive campgrounds in Michigan that you can name that are almost like dispersed camping, in that there are no bathrooms and no other campers near you (at least not visibly), but have a firepit? I don't even need a picnic table or anything, I just want the firepit. I will also be camping in a tent attached to my truck bed, so it will need to be an area that allows vehicles to be parked on the site. Thanks!
You'll see other campers likely, but they are almost always chill. Tents and smaller campers.
I’ve had some contrary interactions over the years. Some state forests get taken over by parties. Often they can be pretty tightly spaced too.
If I was OP I’d bring a 5 gallon bucket and camp as close to a stream as you legally can. Fill the bucket and keep the fire small. Just clear all the brush from your chosen spot… good to go.
Negwegon State Park (reservations required)
This is the top choice. Each camping spot is isolated, and on the shoreline. Has an open air toilet. And of course a fire pit. I will say the time I stayed there, was probably the worst mosquitoes I ever experienced and I've been in some very mosquito I feared spots.
I know it's anti LNT ethos, but the reality of life is that there are tons of fireplace rings made with rocks that are defacto semi-established, yet dispersed sites.
Just find one and use it. Hit some two-track near some rivers/creeks.
Please, please, please make sure your fire is out when you go to sleep or leave. Please don't burn really long sticks and then pull them out and go to sleep. Have a fire, just use a bit more discretion than normal.
Au Sable river near Mio
Just take a portable fire pit.
I just did a backpacking trip along the Manistee River.
There are a lot of dispersed sites on the North Country Trail side with long-established improvised fire rings.
Then on the Manistee River Trail side there are a couple dozen dispersed sites with steel fire rings in them and several more with stone rings people have built themselves.
If you go on a weeknight you aren’t likely to see many other people.
I just dig a fire pit, remove the debris around then start a fire. Once I’m done I just fill my fire hole back up. I have gone to a few same spots I have done this in and can’t find where I had my old fire at all.
If you are vehicle camping bring your own fire ring.
Go northeast Lower.
Atlanta State Forest. Pigeon River Country. Huron National Forest.
Go early and tool around on the roads. You'll find something you like.
You’re talking about rustic campgrounds and they are all over the state. Check the website.
The Forest Service calls them "Primitive Campsites." They cost $20/night. Some need to be reserved online and others are first come first served. I just stayed in one for the last five days on the Au Sable River, a mile or so downriver from the 4001 bridge.
However, there are many user-made campsites that are stand-alones and not an official, Forest Service Primitive Campsite, that's usually where I stay when car camping because, like you said, campgrounds are too noisy these days. There are pros and cons to sites like these. One pro is they don't cost anything. Another is that you'll be alone, with the exception of people who pass by your site on a FS road. The con would be leaving your gear unattended, but you have to do that at a campground too, and campgrounds are full of unsavory characters.
Edited for clarity
Find some state Forest Campgrounds. Basically half way between a State Park and dispersed camping. I think just a few can turn into party spots, but usually quiet AF.