Ottawa National Forest (dispersed)
Upper Peninsula, west · Ottawa National Forest (USFS)
Roadside pull-offs along the forest roads off the Black River Scenic Byway let you drive up and disappear into hardwoods, no office, no fee, no neighbors.
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?
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. Camp up to 16 days in one spot, then move at least 5 miles. Not within or adjacent to a developed campground, and not on a road or trail, so set up off the treadway on general forest land. NCT segments here are dispersed-legal. Coordinate is the Black River Harbor trailhead anchor.
~15 miles north of Bessemer up the Black River corridor; far western UP.
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.