Hiawatha National Forest

Temporary Area Closure for Big Pines Picnic Area

The Big Pines Picnic Area will be temporarily closed due to timber harvest. Activities in the area may include logging trucks and other equipment. For your safety, please stay alert while in the vicinity and choose another location for recreation. Other locations for accessing the beach for…

Hiawatha National Forest Seeks Public input on Grand Island Visitor Use Management Project

The Hiawatha National Forest is seeking input on the development of a management plan for the Grand Island National Recreation Area.Two public meetings will be held, one each on May 12 and 14 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Alger Parks and Recreation building at 413 Maple Street in Munising, MI. All…

Forest Supervisor's Orders

As a visitor to the National Forest, you are asked to follow certain rules designed to protect the Forest, natural resources and to provide for public safety of visitors. These rules are available to you on-line below or at any office of the Hiawatha National Forest. Please take time to read and…

Restricting Public Entry to Stonington Quarry

Persons with a valid permit; Federal, State, or Local members of rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of official duties; Forest Service employees conducting surveys or monitoring and as approved by the Forest Supervisor.Protection of objects and areas that are of significant…

Haymeadow Trail and Bridge Closed

The Haymeadow Creek Hiking Trail Bridge is closed until it can be repaired or replaced. -- Located on the hiking loop near Haymeadow Creek Dispersed Campsites, the bridge failed an inspection due to significant rot. We will update this notice as repairs are implemented. (4/2018),(4/2021).The…

Overview

Hiawatha National Forest spans nearly 900,000 acres across Michigan's Upper Peninsula, uniquely positioned along three Great Lakes (Superior, Huron, and Michigan). The forest is currently open and fully operational for recreation. Current alerts include: Big Pines Picnic Area temporarily closed for timber harvest operations (as of October 2025), Haymeadow Creek Hiking Trail Bridge closed since 2017 due to structural issues (significant rot), and public entry restricted at Stonington Quarry. The forest is actively seeking public input on a management plan for the Grand Island National Recreation Area. The forest offers 19 developed campgrounds, 2 cabins for rent, 6 historic lighthouses, 6 designated Wild and Scenic Rivers, 3 islands, and hundreds of miles of trails including the North Country National Scenic Trail. The forest features both Eastside and Westside units separated geographically. Fee-free days are available throughout the year on major holidays. Visitors should be aware of Forest Supervisor's Orders regarding occupancy and use restrictions. With 100 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, the forest offers extensive water-based recreation including sea kayaking, canoeing, and fishing across 75+ lakes and 600 miles of streams.

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