← Wild & dispersed

McCormick Wilderness

Upper Peninsula, central · Ottawa National Forest (USFS)

No reservation

Roadless 17,000 acres of old-growth, waterfalls and beaver country with no marked sites and almost nobody around.

Aerial view of McCormick WildernessFrom above. USDA NAIP, public domain.

The vibe

Near Hasscib LakeDark skies (Bortle ~3)Wooded

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, no fee. Dispersed camping allowed throughout; 16-day stay limit per spot. Pack in water, pack out trash; no facilities.

~50 min west of Marquette.

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.