Craig Lake State Park (backcountry)
Upper Peninsula, central · Michigan DNR (wilderness state park)
Michigan's most remote state park, hike-in lakes with a real shot at a moose and nobody on the next site over.
From above. USDA NAIP, public domain.The vibe
Works for hammock, tent. 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 rules
Designated hike-in/paddle-in backcountry sites (numbered, max 6), reserved via Michigan DNR; check in and get your pass at Van Riper State Park. A rough 4WD-recommended road leads to the trailhead. NOT free-form dispersed.
~40 min west of Marquette, then a rough drive in.
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.