Huron-Manistee National Forests

Huron-Manistee National Forests – Cadillac, Michigan

Covering almost a million acres of public lands extending across the northern lower peninsula of Michigan the Huron-Manistee National Forests are a wonderful place for visitors to spend some time.  Here you can fish, watch wildlife, hike and enjoy being in the area filled with sights of nature.

There are a wide range of camping sites available for your use.  There are 37 developed campground and 2 Day Use Areas, in addition to over 25 primitive campgrounds.  Dispersed camping in a tent is allowed in most areas of the forest so if you don’t want to be around other people camping you can go off by yourself and find that spot that is perfect for you.

There are over 330 miles of trails available for multiple uses such as horseback riding or hiking.  The trails are often linear, while the interpretive (nature) trails are usually loops of varied lengths for your education.

With over 100 miles of bike trails across the forest you will be able to see nature as you have never witnessed it before, weaving through the tall trees, seeing wildlife up close and breathing the fresh scented air to make your ride most memorable.
There are also Off-Highway Vehicle trails and areas where those that want to ride off road vehicles can follow the forest trails designed for them.  You will need to obtain an ORV sticker and maps of the state trails to follow.

The forest has 4 Nationally Designed Wild and Scenic Rivers along with many other rivers, lakes, streams and ponds for your enjoyment.  You can canoe or use a small boat (under 20 hp and/or 26 ft. long) within the boundaries of the forest.

The Forests’ boundary extend from the shores of Lake Michigan to the Shores of Lake Huron.  If you aren’t sure where the boundaries are please stop at one of the offices and get a forest map.  There is no entrance gate of specific area in which to enter the forests.

The Huron-Manistee National Forests will allow you to cut down your own Christmas tree as long as you follow some rules.  There is a $5 fee to be paid at any forest service office, do not cut a tree over 15 ft. tall and do not cut a tree within 150 feet of roads, trails or developed areas.  Attach the metal tag to the tree and sealed at the time of cutting.  It is not allowed to dig up a tree.  Make sure you cut the tree as close to the ground as possible so as not to leave a stump.  You will receive a map showing where cutting is permitted when you buy your tag.

The forest is filled with wildlife from Whitetail deer to turkey, rabbit, fox, squirrel, coyote, raccoon, grouse, pine marten and of course the black bear.  Be sure to take your camera, you may have a chance at some outstanding pictures.

If you are a snowshoe hiker please walk alongside the trails rather than on them, the trails are for ski and snowmobile enthusiasts and walking on them with snowshoes damages them for these people.  Of course you can walk through the woods on your snowshoes, off trail, and NO snowmobiles and ORV’s are not allowed on anything except designated trails.  Riding cross-country is prohibited.

There is hunting allowed on National Forest system land with some restrictions.  Check with the Forest Service to find out what areas are approved for hunting.
Pets are allowed to be with you on the grounds as long as they are leashed (no longer then 6′).  Please know that pets are not allowed on the beaches.

For those of you that are mushers you can mush (dog sled) on all public lands in the state of Michigan, including groomed snowmobile trials but you may not use the cross-country ski trails.

Open M-F 8:00am-4:30pm

Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
650 N. Michigan Avenue
P.O. Box D
Baldwin, MI 49304
231-745-4631
231-745-7701 TTY
231-745-2345 fax
Open M-F 8:00am-4:30pm

From May 15 to November 20
Open Saturday and Sunday 8:00-4:30pm
Manistee Ranger Station
412 Red Apple Rd.
Manistee, MI 49660
231-723-2211
231-723-0124 TTY
231-723-8642 fax

Open M-F 8:00am-4:30pm
Huron Shores Ranger Station
5761 North Skeel Road
Oscoda, MI 48750
989-739-0728
989-739-0806 TTY
989-739-0347 fax

Open M-F 8:00am-4:30pm
Mio Ranger Station
107 McKinley St.
Mio, MI 48647
989-826-3252
989-826-3592 TTY
989-826-6073 fax

Open M-F 8:00am-4:30pm

From Mid-May to June
Monday to Saturday
8:00am to Noon.

Lumberman’s Monument Visitor Center
Located on River Road National Scenic Byway
(Along the Au Sable river between Oscoda and M-65)
989-362-8961
Summer Hours:
Daily 10:00 to 7:00 from Memorial Day to Labor Day

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