Pigeon River Country (dispersed)
Lower Peninsula, NE · Michigan DNR (state forest)
105,000 acres of deliberately undeveloped 'Big Wild' with one of the largest elk herds east of the Mississippi; drive in or backpack.
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
Free dispersed under Michigan's state-forest rule: post a (free) backpack registration card at your site, stay 1+ mi from a designated state forest campground, 600+ ft from posted sinkhole lakes, off any 'No Camping' ground.
~30 min N of Gaylord.
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.