Island lake
Island Lake, near Mio · Huron-Manistee National Forests
Seventeen sites in mixed hardwoods on 58-acre Island Lake, with a buoyed swimming beach and non-motorized boating. Vault toilets, no hookups, no showers, and bring your own water since the site has none. ORVs aren't allowed in the campground, but the Mack Lake motorized trails run nearby, so expect some engine noise off in the trees.
From above. USDA NAIP, public domain.The vibe
Works for hammock, tent, RV, van / car. Measured dark skies, a real one for stargazing.
Hanging a hammock?
Hammocks are fine in Michigan state parks. There's no rule against them. The rule is about the tree: use wide, tree-friendly straps, no nails or wire, and don't tear the bark. The state sets no strap or tree-size requirement, so when in doubt, ask the park. We'll point you at sites that likely have trees worth hanging from, but we can't see the trunks, so eyeball it on arrival.
The facts
- 17 reservable sites.
- No accessible sites listed.
- Reserved through recreation.gov, not us. We don't track openings here yet.
About a half hour up M-33 from Rose City, in the Mio Ranger District of Oscoda County.
Thicket is not the Forest Service and not affiliated with it. The facts come from the federal RIDB (public domain); the vibe read is our estimate from open data (OpenStreetMap, USGS elevation, NASA Black Marble nighttime light). Sites, fees, and access can change. Confirm and book at recreation.gov, and leave no trace.