Shore-to-Shore Trail
Lower Peninsula, NW to NE · Michigan DNR / USFS
A horse-and-hiker line clean across the peninsula, with state forest camps strung along it.
From above. USDA NAIP, public domain.The vibe
Works for hammock, tent.
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
A roughly 220-mile hiking and horse trail from Empire to Oscoda across state forest and Huron-Manistee National Forest, with designated DNR trail camps along it. Off-camp dispersed camping on state forest land needs the free Dispersed Camping Registration Card. Coordinate is the Empire (west) terminus.
West end (Empire) ~2.5 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.