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Events

Sunset over Katherine Lake in the Sylvania Wilderness

History of Sylvania Wilderness at the Ottawa National Forest Visitor Center

Event Location:
E23979 US 2 East
Watersmeet, MI 49969
A self-guided interpretive history display of the Sylvania Wilderness. This exhibit is on loan from the Northern Waters Museum & Land O Lakes…
Times: 8:00am - 9:00am
Dates: January 20 - September 4, 2026
Contact information: Ottawa National Forest Visitor Center, SM.FS.Ottawa_NF@usda.gov , 906-358-4724
A row of oak seedlings growing at the J.W. Toumey Nursery.

The J.W. Toumey Nursery

Event Location:
Ottawa National Forest
E23949 US Hwy 2 East
Watersmeet, MI 49969
The J.W. Toumey Nursery is one of only six U.S. Forest Service tree nurseries located across the country, and is one of the most unique features on…
Times: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Dates: August 13, 2026
Contact information: Ottawa Visitor Center, SM.FS.Ottawa_NF@usda.gov , 906-358-4724
A Civilian Conservation Corps Actor poses with his props.

Lumberman's Presents Michael Deren as Civilian Conservation Corps Enrollee 1941

Event Location:
5401 Monument Road
Oscoda, MI 48750
Lumberman’s Monument will be hosting Michael Deren  on Friday, August 14 at 1 p.m. as he presents “Civilian Conservation Corps Enrollee 1941.”…
Times: 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Dates: August 14, 2026
Contact information: Lumberman's Monument, sm.fs.hmnf@usda.gov , (989) 362-8961
hikers climb the rocky trail

Hemlock Cliffs Nature Hike

Event Location:
Hatfield Rd
English, IN
Come explore the sandstone rock formations, learn to identify trees and plants, and hike the tranquil 1-mile trail at Hemlock Cliffs. Parts of the…
Times: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Dates: August 15, 2026
Contact information: 812547-7051
A photograph of the Quincy Mine in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

A Tale of Two Mines

Event Location:
Ottawa National Forest
E23949 US 2 East
Watersmeet, MI 49969
This joint presentation by the US Forest Service and the National Park Service explores both agencies distinct strategies for managing the western…
Times: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Dates: August 20, 2026
Contact information: Ottawa Visitor Center, SM.FS.Ottawa_NF@usda.gov , 906-358-4724
flyer for Snake Road Sentinel workshop

Snake Road Sentinel Fall Workshop

Shawnee National Forest is seeking volunteers to assist with data collection on Snake Road during the fall season road closure. Snake Road Sentinels…
Times: 10:00am - 12:30pm
Dates: August 22, 2026
Contact information: Alyssa Macuiba, alyssa.macuiba@usda.gov , 618-658-2111
approach steps to Rickenbaugh House

Rickenbaugh Open House

Take a tour of this Late Greek Revival style house that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The home was built in 1874 by three…
Times: 10:00am - 2:00pm
Dates: August 22, 2026
Contact information: 812-275-5987
A scenic photo of a vast forested landscape taken from the North Country Trail.

The North Country Trail

Event Location:
Ottawa National Forest
E23949 US 2 East
Watersmeet, MI 49969
The North Country Trail is the longest National Scenic Trail in the nation. Learn more about this trail system in general, detailed info…
Times: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Dates: August 27, 2026
Contact information: Ottawa Visitor Center, SM.FS.Ottawa_NF@usda.gov , 906-358-4724
Smokey Bear waves

Open House - Tell City Ranger Station

Event Location:
248 15th St
Tell City, IN 47586
✓  Meet your Forest staff and discover their roles✓  Take a tour of our district office✓  Celebrate 90 years of Forest history✓  “Touch…
Times: 11:00am - 3:00pm
Dates: August 29, 2026
Contact information: 812-547-7051
A photo of Kristin Ojaniemi crouching with her camera near a sedated moose in winter.

'Discovering' at the Visitor Center

Event Location:
Ottawa National Forest
E23949 US 2 East
Watersmeet, MI 49969
Kristin Ojaniemi, producer and host of WLUC-TV6's "Discovering" outdoors television program, shares her experiences traveling around the Upper…
Times: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Dates: September 3, 2026
Contact information: Ottawa Visitor Center, SM.FS.Ottawa_NF@usda.gov , 906-358-4724
trash blast flyer with details

Trash Blast | Bean Ridge

Shawnee National Forest, Friends of the Shawnee, and the Illinois Extension will be partnering to host our annual fall Trash Blasts! They will happen…
Times: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Dates: September 4, 2026
Contact information: Illinois Extension, cupquake@illinois.edu , 217-333-5900
A graphic of a lumberjack's Silhouette and words that read Lumberjack and Logging Museum

Labor Day Weekend with the Lumberjack and Logging Museum!

Event Location:
5401 Monument Road
OScoda, MI 48750
Join us at Lumberman’s Monument Saturday September 5 & Sunday September 6 as we welcome back the Lumberjack & Logging Museum for the last event of…
Times: 10:00am - 3:00pm
Dates: September 5 - 6, 2026
Contact information: Lumberman's Monument, sm.fs.hmnf@usda.gov , (989) 362-8961
Bedford Office

Open House - Brownstown Ranger Station/Supervisor's Office

Event Location:
811 Constitution Ave
Bedford, IN 47562
✓  Meet your Forest staff and discover their roles✓  Take a tour of our district office✓  Celebrate 90 years of Forest history✓  “Touch…
Times: 10:00am - 2:00pm
Dates: September 12, 2026
Contact information: 812-275-5987
USDA Forest Service Logo

Fee-Free Day: Constitution Day

The Forest Service waives recreation fees at most day-use sites on lands managed by the agency. Participation by concession-operated sites may vary. 
Times: All Day
Dates: September 17, 2026
Contact information: (573) 364-4621
USDA Forest Service Logo

Fee-Free Day: Constitution Day

On designated days, the Forest Service waives recreation fees at most day-use sites on lands managed by the agency. Participation by…
Times: All Day
Dates: September 17, 2026
Contact information: (906) 428-5800
USDA Forest Service Logo

Fee-Free Day: National Public Lands Day

The Forest Service waives recreation fees at most day-use sites on lands managed by the agency. Participation by concession-operated sites may vary. 
Times: All Day
Dates: September 26, 2026
Contact information: (573) 364-4621
USDA Forest Service Logo

Fee-Free Day: National Public Lands Day

On designated days, the Forest Service waives recreation fees at most day-use sites on lands managed by the agency. Participation by…
Times: All Day
Dates: September 26, 2026
Contact information: (906) 428-5800
trash blast flyer with details

Trash Blast | Turkey Bayou

Shawnee National Forest Service, Friends of the Shawnee, and the Illinois Extension will be partnering to host our annual Fall Trash Blasts! They…
Times: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Dates: October 2, 2026
Contact information: Illinois Extension, cupquake@illinois.edu , 217-333-5900
USDA Forest Service Logo

Fee-Free Day: Theodore Roosevelt's Birthday

On designated days, the Forest Service waives recreation fees at most day-use sites on lands managed by the agency. Participation by…
Times: All Day
Dates: October 27, 2026
Contact information: (906) 428- 5800
trash blast flyer with details

Trash Blast | Iron Furnace (Forest Service Road 1901)

Shawnee National Forest, Friends of the Shawnee, and the Illinois Extension will be partnering to host our annual fall Trash Blasts! They will happen…
Times: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Dates: November 6, 2026
Contact information: Illinois Extension, cupquake@illinois.edu , 217-333-5900
USDA Forest Service Logo

Fee-Free Day: Veteran’s Day

The Forest Service waives recreation fees at most day-use sites on lands managed by the agency. Participation by concession-operated sites may vary. 
Times: All Day
Dates: November 11, 2026
Contact information: (573) 364-4621
USDA Forest Service Logo

Fee-Free Day: Veterans Day

On designated days, the Forest Service waives recreation fees at most day-use sites on lands managed by the agency. Participation by…
Times: All Day
Dates: November 11, 2026
Contact information: (906) 428-5800
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