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 With one hundred miles of shoreline on three Great Lakes, the Hiawatha is uniquely positioned to provide visitors with a range of nationally distinct recreation opportunities. We know what makes us special and we're ready to share it with you!
Welcome to the Hiawatha National Forest! We're glad you're interested in learning more about your "Great Lakes National Forest". Here are some highlights that will get you started learning about the Forest.
A Quick Overview
The Hiawatha National Forest is located in the central and eastern parts of Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
Size: about 1 million acres
Topography: Elevations range from about 680 feet. to The landscape is largely the result of glaciation, and includes sandstone and limestone geology.
Major rivers: Confined by the size and shape of the Michigan's Upper Peninsula, the Hiawatha's rivers are relatively short yet ecologically rich. Lying in the watersheds of Lakes Superior, Michigan and Huron, the Hiawatha includes five National Wild & Scenic Rivers, including the Carp, Indian, Sturgeon, Tahquamenon, and Whitefish.
Ecosystems and Species: Northern hardwood and mixed forest types are common on the Hiawatha National Forest. Tree species include sugar maple, red maple, American Beech, white pine, red pine, northern white cedar, eastern larch/tamarack, and balsam fir. Jackpine savannahs are also common in some areas. Much of the Hiawatha is covered in wetlands, and as a result there are many wetland plants.
Spring wildflowers bloom in May and June.
The Forest contains habitat for northwoods species like whitetail deer, gray wolf, and lynx. Kirtland's warbler, an endangered species, relies on young jackpine stands for its nesting grounds, and piping plover nest along our pebbly Great Lakes beaches. Trout are native to coldwater streams, and our inland lakes support strong, diverse fisheries.
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