Sleeping Bear Dunes Valley View Backcountry
Lower Peninsula, NW · National Park Service (NPS)
Five dry meadow sites on the edge of the Port Oneida historic district, seldom used because they sit nowhere near water.
From above. USDA NAIP, public domain.The vibe
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
Five designated sites; permit via Recreation.gov or in person at D.H. Day Campground, plus a park pass. Camp only in marked sites; no water on site; 14-night cap in summer. Trailhead is south of M-22 via Westman then Hyland Rd, about 1.5 miles to camp.
~2.5 hr northwest of Grand Rapids; near Glen Arbor.
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.