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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 set of coyote tracks in the mud.

Mammal Tracking

Event Location:
Ottawa National Forest
E23979 US Hwy 2 East
Watersmeet, MI 49969
Veteran Thursday Program presenter and crowd favorite Scott Pearson will join us again this summer to discuss Northwoods…
Times: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Dates: June 18, 2026
Contact information: Ottawa National Forest Visitor Center, SM.FS.Ottawa_NF@usda.gov , 906-358-4724
A Fisher drinking water from a stream in a lush forest.

Marvelous Mustelids of the Northwoods

Event Location:
Ottawa National Forest
E23979 US Hwy 2 East
Watersmeet, MI 49969
Join wildlife ecologist Stacy Cotey for an exploration of the diverse Mustelidae family – including otters, fishers, martens, mink, and…
Times: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Dates: June 25, 2026
Contact information: Ottawa National Forest Visitor Center, SM.FS.Ottawa_NF@usda.gov , 906-358-4724
Kayakers paddling the West Branch of the Ontonagon River in Fall.

Wild & Scenic Rivers of the Ottawa

Event Location:
Ottawa National Forest
E23979 US Hwy 2 East
Watersmeet, MI 49969
Did you know that Michigan has the most miles of Wild & Scenic Rivers east of the Mississippi? Conservationist Joe Hovel will discuss this…
Times: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Dates: July 9, 2026
Contact information: Ottawa Visitor Center, SM.FS.Ottawa_NF@usda.gov , 906-358-4724
Lac Vieux Desert tribal member Roger LaBine winnowing wild rice in a basket.

Manoomin

Event Location:
Ottawa National Forest
E23979 US Hwy 2 East
Watersmeet, MI 49969
Manoomin, or wild rice, is a traditional food source of great spiritual and cultural importance for many Great Lakes tribal communities. Lac Vieux…
Times: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Dates: July 16, 2026
Contact information: Ottawa Visitor Center, SM.FS.Ottawa_NF@usda.gov , 906-358-4724
A trail winding through the Ottawa National Forest in Fall.

Trail Opportunities with MI-TRALE

Event Location:
Ottawa National Forest
E23979 US Hwy 2 East
Watersmeet, MI 49969
Join the dedicated folks from MI-TRALE (Michigan Trails and Recreation Alliance of Land and the Environment) for an inside look at the…
Times: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Dates: July 23, 2026
Contact information: Ottawa Visitor Center, SM.FS.Ottawa_NF@usda.gov , 906-358-4724
A trailhead sign for the Headwaters Cedar Community Forest

Northwoods Alliance

Event Location:
Ottawa National Forest
E23979 US Hwy 2 East
Watersmeet, MI 49969
He’s back again! Conservationist Joe Hovel returns once more to discuss Northwoods Alliance – a humble, volunteer powered…
Times: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Dates: July 30, 2026
Contact information: Ottawa Visitor Center, SM.FS.Ottawa_NF@usda.gov , 906-358-4724
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