Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness
Upper Peninsula, west-central · Ottawa National Forest (USFS)
A 300-foot-deep river gorge with waterfalls and almost no trails, you go for the canyon and the fact that hardly anyone else does.
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
No permit or fee for backcountry dispersed camping. Few amenities; pack in water, pack out trash. Steep gorge terrain, navigation skills needed.
~1.25 hr west of Marquette.
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.