Manistee River Trail / NCT Loop
Lower Peninsula, NW · Manistee National Forest (USFS)
A 23-mile river-bluff loop with overlooks high above the Manistee and free riverside sites, the Lower Peninsula's best backpacking weekend.
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
No permit to hike or camp. The NCT (west) side allows true dispersed camping; the MRT (east) side is mostly free first-come designated sites. Keep 200+ ft from the river and 1+ mi from a state forest campground.
~1 hr SW of Cadillac; ~1.75 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.