Recreation


A spring burbles water while covered in snow.

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Know Before You Go

Fee-Free Days

The Forest Service waives recreation fees at most day-use sites on lands managed by the agency. Participation by concession-operated sites may vary. The 2023 dates are:

  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day January 20, 2025
  • National Get Outdoors Day June 14, 2025
  • Juneteenth June 19, 2025
  • National Public Lands Day September 27, 2025
  • Veterans Day November 11, 2025

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Current Recreation Conditions

Area Name Status Area Conditions
4001 Canoe Landing Closed Closed Mio Ranger Station
40th St. Trailhead Closed Closed Baldwin White Cloud Ranger District 
72nd St. Angler Trail and Fishing Access Open Open Baldwin White Cloud Ranger District 
76th St. Trailhead Closed Closed Baldwin White Cloud Ranger District
Au Sable Area Open Open Huron Shores Ranger Station
Au Sable Loop Campground and Day Use Area Closed Closed Mio Ranger Station
Au Sable National Scenic River Open Open Mio Ranger Station
Au Sable River - Alcona Dam to Lake Huron Open Open Huron Shores Ranger Station
Au Sable River Primitive Camping Closed Closed Huron Shores Ranger Station
Au Sable Scenic River Highbanks Overlook Closed Closed Mio Ranger Station
Au Sable Vista Closed Closed Huron Shores Ranger Station
Bear Creek River Access Site Open Open Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
Bear Creek Scenic River Open Open Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
Bear Island Campground Closed Closed Mio Ranger Station
Bear Track Campground Closed Closed Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
Benton Lake Campground Closed Closed Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Big M Cross-Country and Mountain Bike Trail Open Open Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
Big O OHV Trail Open Open Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Blacksmith Bayou Access Site Closed Closed Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
Bowman Bridge Campground and River Access Closed Closed Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Bowman Lake Area Open Open Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Bowman Lake Campground Closed Closed Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Bowman Lake Trailhead Closed Closed Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Briar Hills Area Open Open Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
Brush Lake Campground Closed Closed Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Bull Gap ORV Hill Climb and Trailhead Closed Closed Mio Ranger Station
Buttercup Campground Closed Closed Mio Ranger Station
Caberfae Scenic Overlook Open Open Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
Canoer's Memorial Open Open Huron Shores Ranger Station 
Cathedral Pines Campground Closed Closed Mio Ranger Station
Cedar Creek Motorsport Trail Closed Closed Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Claybanks Campground Closed Closed Baldwin White Cloud Ranger District 
Condon Lakes West Closed Closed Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Cooke Area Closed Closed Huron Shores Ranger Station
Corsair Area Open Open Huron Shores Ranger Station
Corsair Hiking and Cross Country Skiing Trail Open Open Huron Shores Ranger Station
Crater Lake Fishing Access Open Open Mio Ranger Station
Crystal Valley Ski Trail Open Open Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Diamond Point Closed Closed Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Dobson Bridge River Access Closed Closed Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
Eagle Run Cross-Country Ski and Hiking Trail Open Open Huron Shores Ranger Station 
Elk Canoe Campground Closed Closed Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Elm Flats Canoe Landing Closed Closed Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
Foote Pond Overlook Open Open Huron Shores Ranger Station 
Forest Discovery Trail Open Open Huron Shores Ranger Station This trail is not groomed.
Freesoil Trailhead Open Open Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
Gabions Campground and Day Use Closed Closed Mio Ranger Station
Gleason's Landing Campground and River Access Closed Closed Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Government Landing Closed Closed Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
Green Cottage Open Open Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Hemlock Campground and Boat Launch Closed Closed Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
High Bridge Access Site Open Open Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
Highbank Lake Campground Closed Closed Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Highbanks River Trail Closed Closed Huron Shores Ranger Station
Hoist Lake Area Open Open Huron Shores Ranger Station
Hoist/Reid Lake Areas Open Open Huron Shores Ranger Station
Holton Motorcycle Trail Closed Closed Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Horseshoe Lake Campground and Boat Launch Closed Closed Huron Shores Ranger Station
Horseshoe Motorcycle Trail Closed Closed Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Hungerford Recreation Area Closed Closed Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Huron NF OHV Trails Open Open Huron Shores Ranger Station 
Huron ORV Trail Open Open Huron Shores Ranger Station
Iargo Springs Open Open Huron Shores Ranger Station
Indian Bridge Open Open Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Indian Lake Campground Closed Closed Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Island Lake Campground Closed Closed Mio Ranger Station
Jewell Lake Campground Closed Closed Huron Shores Ranger Station
Jorgenson Angler Trail and Fishing Access Site Closed Closed Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Kirtland's Warbler and Jack Pine Wildlife Tours Closed Closed Mio Ranger Station
Kiwanis Monument Open Open Huron Shores Ranger Station 
Kneff Lake Campground Closed Closed Mio Ranger Station  By order R9-04-05-24-03 of the Forest Supervisor, Kneff Lake Day Use Area, located at the Eastern Terminus of Forest Road 4003 in the SE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of Section 20, Township 26 North, Range 02 East, Michigan Principal Meridian is closed due to safety hazards related to implementation of a site improvement construction project involving heavy equipment operations immediately adjacent to the recreation area. THESE RESTRICTIONS ARE NECESSARY FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND TO PROTECT NATIONAL FOREST PROPERTY/RESOURCES. THEY ARE IN  ADDITION TO THE GENERAL PROHIBITIONS SET FORTH IN 36 CFR PART 261. THIS ORDER WILL TERMINATE UPON COMPLETION OF THE RENOVATION PROJECT, or WHEN WITHDRAWN BY A TERMINATION ORDER OF THE FOREST SUPERVISOR.
Lake Michigan Beach Acess Open Open Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
Lake Michigan Recreation Area Closed Closed Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
Little Manistee River, National Scenic Study River Open Open Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
Little Muskegon River Open Open Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Little O ATV Trail Open Open Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Loda Lake National Wildflower Sanctuary Closed Closed Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Log Mark Rest Stop Canoe and Fishing Landing Closed Closed Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Loon Lake Day Use Area Closed Closed Mio Ranger Station
Loud Creek Ski/Hike Trail Open Open Mio Ranger Station
Loud's Rest Stop Closed Closed Mio Ranger Station
Low Bridge Canoe Landing Closed Closed Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
Lower Branch Bridge Trail and Fishing Access Open Open Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station Temporarily closed to ensure the safety of the public during construction. 
Lumberman's Monument Visitor Center Closed Closed Huron Shores Ranger Station Open for the season - check out our Facebook page for upcoming events. Be sure to prepare and plan in the event your favorite camping spot is occupied.
Luzerne Horse Trail Campground and Trailhead Closed Closed Huron Shores Ranger Station  By order R9-04-05-24-02 of the Forest Supervisor, The Luzerne Boardwalk located North of the Eastern terminus of Forest Road 3023, in the N ½ of Section 36, Township 26 North, Range 2 East, Michigan Principal Meridian. This site is closed to equestrian traffic due to structural deficiencies caused by high moisture content of the area. These structural deficiencies present a threat to public health and safety of equestrian users. Only pedestrian foot traffic will be allowed until necessary repairs are made and satisfactory engineering inspection is completed. Luzerne Reroute Map (pdf)
M-20 Motorsport Trail Open Open Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
M-37: White Cloud to Baldwin Open Open Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station 
M-55: Manistee to Cadillac Open Open Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
MacKenzie Cross-Country and Mountain Bike Trail Open Open Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
Mack Lake Motorized Trail System Closed Closed Mio Ranger Station
Mack Lake ORV Campground Closed Closed Mio Ranger Station
Manistee NF OHV Trails Open Open Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
Manistee National Recreation River Open Open Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
Manistee River Open Open Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
Manistee River Area Open Open Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
Manistee River Trail Open Open Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
Maple Leaf Angler Trail and Fishing Access Site Open Open Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Marilla Trailhead Closed Closed Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
Marzinski Horse Trail and Campground Open Open Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
McKinley Horse Trail Campground Closed Closed Mio Ranger Station
McKinley Landing Open Open Mio Ranger Station
Meadow Springs Campground Closed Closed Mio Ranger Station
Meadows MCCCT Closed Closed Mio Ranger Station
Meadows ORV Campground Closed Closed Mio Ranger Station
Michigan Cross-Country Cycle Trail (MCCCT) Closed Closed Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Midland to Mackinaw Trail Open Open Mio Ranger Station
Minnie Pond Campground Closed Closed Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Nichols Lake North Open Open Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Nichols Lake South Campground Closed Closed Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness - Nurnberg Trailhead Open Open Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station  Open. Annual maintenance and amenity services all-year round. No camping in the parking lot/trailhead. Please practice Leave No Trace principles.
Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area Open Open Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station Nurnberg Trailhead
  • Open. Annual maintenance and amenity services all-year round. No camping in the parking lot/trailhead. Please practice Leave No Trace principles.
Lake Michigan Recreation Area
  • Closed. Opens April 1st – December 1st.
North Country National Scenic Trail Open Open Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station Annual trailhead services at 40th St., 76th St, and Bowman Lake Trailhead will resume May 1. Annual trailhead services at Marilla and Udell will resume May 15. All other trailheads will resume services on April 1.
Old Grade Campground Closed Closed Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Pere Marquette National Scenic River Open Open Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Pere Marquette River Open Open Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Peterson Bridge North Day Use and Boat Launch Area Closed Closed Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
Peterson Bridge South Campground Closed Closed Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
Pine Acres Boat Launch Closed Closed Huron Shores Ranger Station
Pine Lake Campground Closed Closed Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
Pine National Scenic River Open Open Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
Pine River Campground Closed Closed Huron Shores Ranger Station
Pine River Rearing Run Path Open Open Huron Shores Ranger Station
Pines Point Closed Closed Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Podunk River Access Closed Closed Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Rainbow Rapids Open Open Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Red Bridge River Access Site Closed Closed Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
Reid Lake Foot Travel Area Open Open Huron Shores Ranger Station 
River Dune Campground Closed Closed Mio Ranger Station
River Road National Scenic Byway Open Open Huron Shores Ranger Station 
River Road Trail Camp and Trailhead Closed Closed Huron Shores Ranger Station 
Rollways Campground and Day Use Area Closed Closed Huron Shores Ranger Station 
Rosebush Bend Angler Trail and Fishing Access Closed Closed Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Round Lake Campground and Day Use Area Closed Closed Huron Shores Ranger Station
Ruffed Grouse Walk Open Open Mio Ranger Station
Sand Lake Beach Day Use Area Closed Closed Huron Shores Ranger Station
Sand Lake Recreation Area Closed Closed Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
Sawdust Hole River Access Closed Closed Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
Sawmill Point Boat Launch Closed Closed Huron Shores Ranger Station
Seaton Creek Campground Closed Closed Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
Shelley Lake Campground Closed Closed Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Shore-to-Shore State Horse Trail Closed Closed Huron Shores Ranger Station 
Sischo Bayou Closed Closed Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
South Branch Au Sable Area Open Open Mio Ranger Station
South Branch Pine River Open Open Huron Shores Ranger Station 
South Branch Trail Campground and Trailhead Closed Closed Huron Shores Ranger Station 
Sprinkler Lake Access Site Open Open Huron Shores Ranger Station 
St. Hubert Angler Parking Closed Closed Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Steinberg Road Trailhead Open Open Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
Suicide Bend Fishing Site Closed Closed Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
Sulak Campground Closed Closed Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Thompson's Landing River Access Closed Closed Huron Shores Ranger Station
Timber Creek Campground Open Open Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Tunk Hole River Access Site Closed Closed Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
Twinwood Lake Campground Open Open Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Udell Lookout Tower Open Open Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
Udell Rollways Day Use Area Closed Closed Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
Udell Trailhead Closed Closed Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station
Upper Branch Bridge Landing Open Open Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Wagner Lake Area Open Open Mio Ranger Station
Wagner Lake Campground Closed Closed Mio Ranger Station
Wakeley Lake Area Closed Closed Mio Ranger Station New 2022 Fishing regulations:  The annual fishing season is now changed to the last Saturday in April through September 30. All other regulations remain the same.
Walkup Lake Campground Closed Closed Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
Westgate Scenic Overlook Open Open Huron Shores Ranger Station 
Whelan Lake Area Open Open Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
White River Open Open Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
White River Area Open Open Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station