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Monument Campground

AuSable River, near Oscoda · Huron-Manistee National Forests

Reserve on recreation.gov

Nineteen sites in a red pine plantation above the AuSable River, a Huron-Manistee National Forest campground next to the Lumberman's Monument. Sites sit up on the high banks, not down at the water, shaded by big oak and red pine and spread out enough for some privacy. Vault toilets, drinking water, no hookups and no showers. The Highbanks Trail runs right from the campground.

Aerial view of Monument CampgroundFrom above. USDA NAIP, public domain.

The vibe

Near Cooke Dam PondDark skies (Bortle ~3)Wooded

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

  • 19 reservable sites.
  • Has accessible sites.
  • Reserved through recreation.gov, not us. We don't track openings here yet.

About 15 miles west of Oscoda on the River Road byway, roughly 25 minutes from Lake Huron.

Reserve at recreation.gov →

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.