AuSable State Forest (dispersed)
Lower Peninsula, NE · Michigan DNR (state forest)
The legacy AuSable forest country of the middle Lower: river corridors, jack pine, and thousands of two-track pull-ins where a card on a post makes it your camp. The famous Mason Tract stretch of the South Branch bans dispersed camping, so give the holy water its space and camp the plains above it.
From above. USDA NAIP, public domain.The vibe
Works for hammock, tent, van / car. Measured dark skies, a real one for stargazing.
Hanging a hammock?
Depends whose trees they are. The DNR makes the rules, and wilderness areas can have their own take on hammocks, so check before you count on a hang. Wherever you hang: wide tree-friendly straps, no nails or wire, and don't tear the bark. We can't see the trunks from here, so eyeball it on arrival.
The rules
Free dispersed camping on state forest land: post a camp registration card (PR4134) at your site, 1+ mile from any state forest campground, never on posted ground. The Mason Tract is designated-sites-only; heed the signs.
Grayling to Gladwin country; ~2 to 2.5 hr from Grand Rapids.
Thicket is not the managing agency and not affiliated with it. The vibe read is our estimate from open data (OpenStreetMap, USGS elevation, NASA Black Marble nighttime light); the rules, permits, and access can change. Confirm with the agency before you go, and leave no trace.