Hiawatha National Forest
 

Recreation

Great Lakeshores, Great Lighthouses, Great Islands, Great Snow!

Plan Your Trip

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When you first enter the Hiawatha National Forest in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, you will experience a forest with abundant wildlife, miles of rivers and streams, and dozens of waterfalls.

The Hiawatha National Forest in Michigan's Upper Peninsula touches the scenic shorelines and beaches of three Great Lakes, and is home to six historic Michigan lighthouses.

There are also Great Lakes islands, including Grand Island and Round Island. Other attractions in the Hiawatha National Forest include historical structures, archaeological sites, and prehistoric Native American artifacts that are a window to our past and are being preserved for our future. (Read more about Hiawatha National Forest attractions in the Upper Peninsula)

Plan Your Trip to the Hiawatha National Forest

Get started by exploring one of the activities below. Can't find what you're looking for? Select an activity from the list on the left, or use the drop-down on the right to find an area within each Ranger District.

Hiawatha National Forest App

Hiawatha's OnCell Tour App will allow you to take self-guided tours and get visitor info on your personal mobile device. Learn more here! 

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Discover My National Forest

Explore lighthouses on the ForestExplore hiking on the Forest.Plan Your Trip

 

Know Before I Go

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Recreation Conditions Report

 Area Name Status Area Conditions
AuTrain Lake Campground Open to Visitor The campground will open May 15th.
Bass Lake Campsites Open to Visitor Reservations through October 12th
Bay Furnace Campground Open to Visitor This site opens May 15 
Bay View Campground Open to Visitor This site opens May 15
Bear Lake Campsites Open to Visitor Reservations through October 12th
Bermuda Campsite on Grand Island Open to Visitor Site opens May 28
Brevoort Lake Campground Open to Visitor This site opens May 15
Camp 7 Lake Campground Open to Visitor Pier is closed until further notice due to high water and pending repairs.  Site opens May 15
Camp Cook Campsites Open to Visitor Reservations through October 12th
Carp River Campground Open to Visitor This site opens May 15
Carr Lake Campsites Open to Visitor Reservations through October 12th
Channel Marker Campsite on Grand Island Open to Visitor Reservations through October 11th
Chicago Lake Campsites Open to Visitor Reservations through October 12th
Clear Lake Campsite Open to Visitor Reservations through October 12th
Colwell Lake Campground Open to Visitor Site opens May 15
Cookson Lake Campsites Open to Visitor Reservations through October 12th
Corner Lake Campground Open to Visitor This site opens May 15
Council Lake Campsites Open to Visitor Reservations through October 12th
Driftwood Campsite on Grand Island Open to Visitor Site opens May 28
Duck Lake Campsite on Grand Island Open to Visitor Site opens May 28
East Lake Campsites Open to Visitor Reservations through October 12th
Ewing Point Campsite Open to Visitor Reservations through October 12th
Flowing Well Campground Open to Visitor Site opens May 15
Gamefence Campsite on Grand Island Open to Visitor Site opens May 28
Gooseneck Lake Campsites Open to Visitor Reservations through October 12th
Grand Island Farm Field Open to Visitor
Grand Island National Recreation Area    Campsites/campgrounds open May 28
Hardwood Campsite on Grand Island Open to Visitor Site opens May 28
Haymeadow Creek Campsites Open to Visitor
Hemlock Campsite on Grand Island Open to Visitor Site opens May 28
Hovey Lake Campsites Open to Visitor
Indian River Campground Open to Visitor Site opens May 15
Ironjaw Lake Campsites Open to Visitor Reservations through October 12th
Island Lake Campground Open to Visitor This site opens May 15
Jackpine Lake Campsites Open to Visitor Reservations through October 12th
Juniper Flats Group Campsite on Grand Island Open to Visitor Site opens May 28
Lake Michigan Campground Open to Visitor Reservations through October 8th
Lake Nineteen Campsites Open to Visitor Reservations through October 12th
Leg Lake Campsites Open to Visitor Reservations through October 12th
Little Bass Lake Campsites Open to Visitor Reservations through October 12th
Little Bay De Noc Campground Open to Visitor Site opens May 15
Little Duck Campsite on Grand Island Open to Visitor Site opens May 28
Little Dune 1 Campsite on Grand Island Open to Visitor Site opens May 28
Little Dune 2 Campsite on Grand Island Open to Visitor Site opens May 28
Loon Call Campsite on Grand Island Open to Visitor Site opens May 28
Lyman Lake Campsites Open to Visitor Reservations through October 12th
McKeever Cabin Open to Visitor
Minerva Lake Campsites Open to Visitor Reservations through October 12th
Monocle Lake Campground Open to Visitor This site opens May 15
Mowe Lake Campsites Open to Visitor Reservations through October 12th
Murray Bay Group Campsite on Grand Island Open to Visitor Site opens May 28
Petes Lake Campground Open to Visitor Pier is inaccessible due to high water. Site opens May 15
Soldier Lake Campground Open to Visitor This site opens May 15
Steuben Lake Campsites Open to Visitor Reservations through October 12th
Swan Lake Campsites Open to Visitor Reservations through October 12th
Three Lakes Campground Open to Visitor This site opens May 15
Toms Lake Cabin Open to Visitor
Triangle Lake Campsite Open to Visitor Reservations through October 12th
Widewaters Campground Open to Visitor Site opens May 15

Spotlights

Clear Lake Education Center

The Activities Hall at Clear Lake Education Center

Clear Lake Education Center

Clear Lake Education Center near Shingleton, Michigan, is a place where everyone (all abilities, ages and backgrounds) can visit to connect with their natural world through integrated educational and recreational programs.

Visit http://www.clearlakeinfo.org for more information about what the Education Center has to offer. You will also find information about rentals, school groups, and how you can get involved as a steward.

Public Days - Take a Tour
Throughout the year, the Clear Lake Education and Stewards Group host Public Days where everyone is invited to take a tour of the Education Center and Clear Lake and have fun trying some of the recreation programs that are available. Visit their website for upcoming dates.

The camp is located near Shingleton, Michigan in the middle of the Hiawatha National Forest in Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula. 

Christmas/Grand Island West Channel Range Light

Take a self-guided tour of our Lighthouses via the Hiawatha's OnCell App! 

During the hey-day of water transportation on Lake Superior, mariners used a of "range lights," to guide them on a safe course through dangerous shallows of the island's west channel.

Located near Christmas, Michigan, off Highway M-28, visitors are welcome to view the range lights.

 

Christmas/Grand Island West Channel

Click the image below to view the Christmas/Grand Island West Channel Range Lights photo album.

Christmas Range Lights

 

Grand Island National Recreation Area

Grand Island's beautiful North Beach

Engage your kids in the "Grand Island Ranger" Agents of Discovery mobile game! 

Bring the family and check out Grand Island National Recreation Area!

Grand Island is located in Lake Superior, about one-half mile from the mainland community of Munising, Michigan. Munising is about 43 miles from Marquette and 55 miles from Manistique.

Grand Island is the perfect place to spend a day or even just a few hours biking and exploring. The island is an exciting and secluded destination that offers: 

  • Breathtaking overlooks
  • Pristine sandy beaches
  • Fascinating cultural sites
  • Deep hard woods
  • Inland lakes

To view the Grand Island Recreation Area Map Click Here.

How to Reach Grand Island: 

Visitors can reach the island via passenger ferry or private watercraft. 

The ferry departs from Grand Island Landing on the mainland, located on M-28 about 2.5 miles west of the Munising's blinking light. Look for the Grand Island National Recreation Area signs.  

Some campsites are conveniently located for kayakers.

History of Grand Island: 

If you're interested in the island's history, check out the Grand Island 25th Anniversary Page (archived).

Alerts & Warnings

View All Forest Alerts   

Areas & Activities

Related Links

Highlights
Quick Link: Recreation.gov

Make a Reservation! Link opens in a new window


Quick Link: Recreation Passes

Recreation Passes and Reservation Information Link opens in a new window


Quick Link: Maps and Brochures

Maps, Brochures, Newsletters, Checklists and Guides Link opens in a new window


Quick Link: Interactive Visitor Map

Interactive Visitor Map Link opens in a new window


Quick Link: OnCell App - Lighthouse Tour

OnCell Lighthouse Tour App

 


https://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/hiawatha/recreation