← Wild & dispersed

Reid Lake Foot Travel Area

Lower Peninsula, NE · Huron National Forest (USFS)

No reservation

Thirteen miles of rolling trail around Reid and Little Trout Lakes with nine walk-in sites and nothing else.

Aerial view of Reid Lake Foot Travel AreaFrom above. USDA NAIP, public domain.

The vibe

Near Reid 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

Nine first-come backcountry sites, no camping fee, but a daily vehicle pass applies at the M-72 trailhead. Forest-wide 200 ft water setback; no advance reservations, no toilets or water on the trail.

~3.5 hr from Grand Rapids; off M-72 near Harrisville.

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.