Rollways Campground
AuSable River, near Hale · Huron-Manistee National Forests
Nineteen wooded sites in the Huron-Manistee National Forests, sitting on a high bluff over Loud Dam Pond, a dammed stretch of the AuSable River. Sites are well spaced and shaded, pull-through and paved, with vault toilets and drinking water, no hookups. The water is down a steep trail and a long staircase, so it is a view from the top more than a walk-in to the river. Worth knowing: ORV trails are nearby and you will hear engines some of the time.
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
- 19 reservable sites.
- Has accessible sites.
- Reserved through recreation.gov, not us. We don't track openings here yet.
About 7 miles north of Hale, off the River Road Scenic Byway near Oscoda.
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.