Buy Printed MapIt has come up as a hotspot for campers, hikers, and outdoor activities enthusiasts. Officially, this forest is called Huron-Manistee National Forest because Huron National Forest was combined administratively with the Manistee National Forest in 1945.
Headquartered in the US state of Michigan’s Cadillac city, the forest offers recreation opportunities (motorised and non-motorised) for visitors, resources for local industry, and a habitat for wildlife and fish all year round. You’ll find the most popular campgrounds and hiking trails around Pere Marquette, Au Sable, Manistee, and Pine rivers (four nationally designated Wild and Scenic Rivers).
Where is Huron Manistee National Forest
Huron-Manistee National Forests are located in the northern half of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Check this Michigan National Parks Map to find Huron Manistee National Forest on the Michigan Map.
Places to Visit
There are many attractions near Huron National Forest, including:
- Caberfae Peaks
- Manistee National Forest
- Orchard Beach State Park
- Hamlin Lake
- Michigan’s Adventure
- William Mitchell State Park
- Manistee River Trail
- Portage Lake and many more
The closest cities and towns to Huron National Forest are:
- Traverse City
- Muskegon
- Bay City
- Saginaw
- Grand Rapids
- Holland and others
Things to Do
- Beaches & Dunes
- Beachcombing
- Sand Play
- Bicycling
- Mountain Biking
- Camping & Cabins
- Campground Camping
- Dispersed Camping
- Group Camping
- RV Camping
- Fishing
- Ice Fishing
- Lake and Pond Fishing
- River and Stream Fishing
- Hiking
- Backpacking
- Day Hiking
- Horse Riding & Camping
- Horse Camping
- Horse Riding
- Hunting
- Nature Viewing
- Viewing Plants
- Viewing Scenery
- Viewing Wildlife
- OHV Riding & Camping
- OHV Camping
- OHV Open Area Riding
- OHV Road Riding
- OHV Trail Riding
- Outdoor Learning
- Interpretive Areas
- Visitor Centres
- Lumberman’s Monument Visitor Centre
- Visitor Programs
- Guided Driving
- Kirtland’s warbler Tours
- Loda Lake National Wildflower Sanctuary
- Picnicking
- Group Picnicking
- Rocks & Minerals
- Casual/Recreational Gold Panning
- Metal Detecting
- Rock-Hounding/Fossil Collecting
- Scenic Driving
- Water Activities
- Boating – Motorised
- Boating – Non-Motorised
- Swimming
- Tubing
- Winter Sports
- Snowmobiling
- XC Skiing/Snowshoeing
- Other Activities
- Disc Golf
Hiking
112 miles (180 km) of trails for hiking and backpacking are there in the Huron portion of the Huron-Manistee National Forests.
Best Hikes in Huron Manistee National Forest
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Highbanks Trail
It is a moderately challenging out and back trail near Michigan’s Oscoda. Popular for hiking, trail running, and bird watching, it’ll take around 5 hours to complete the 12.7 miles (20.44 km) long trail. April to November is the best time to visit Highbanks Trail.
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Lumbermens Monument Trail
Lumbermens Monument Trail is a 3.8 miles (6.12 km) long loop trail near Michigan’s Hale. A popular trail for hikers, walkers, nature lovers, and birders, this trail will take you around one and half hours to complete. March-October is the best time to visit this trail.
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Hoist Lakes Foot Travel Area
This 7.8 miles (12.55 km) long loop trail near Michigan’s Barton City is a popular destination for hikers and backpackers. It will take you around three hours to complete the Hoist Lakes Foot Travel Area trail.
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Wolf Creek Trail
Wolf Creek Trail is a 4.1 miles (6.6 km) long loop trail near Michigan’s Mio. This moderately challenging route will take around one and a half hours to complete. It has become a popular destination for trail runners, hikers, and birders. April-October is the best time to visit this trail.
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Mason Tract Pathway
It is an easy to hike point-to-point trail near Michigan’s Grayling. Mason Tract Pathway is 9 miles (14.48 km) long and will take you over three hours to complete the trail. March-October is the best time to visit this place. The most popular activities at Mason Tract Pathway are hiking, fishing, birdwatching, and cross-country skiing.
Hiking Trails
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Day Hiking and Backpacking
- Au Sable River
- Au Sable National Scenic River
- Gabions Campground and Day Use
- Au Sable Area
- Cooke Area
- Au Sable National Scenic River
- Corsair Area
- Corsair Hiking and Cross Country Skiing Trail
- Hoist/Reid Lake Areas
- Hoist Lake Area
- Reid Lake Foot Travel Area
- Little Manistee River, National Scenic Study River
- Bear Track Campground
- M-37: White Cloud to Baldwin
- Condon Lakes West
- Nichols Lake North
- M-55: Manistee to Cadillac
- Big M Cross-Country and Mountain Bike Trail
- Briar Hills Area
- Manistee River
- Manistee National Recreation River
- Blacksmith Bayou Access Site
- High Bridge Access Site
- Red Bridge River Access Site
- Sawdust Hole River Access
- Manistee River Area
- Manistee River Trail
- Seaton Creek Campground
- Manistee National Recreation River
- Midland to Mackinaw Trail
- North Country National Scenic Trail
- North Country National Scenic Trail
- 40th St. Trailhead
- 76th St. Trailhead
- Bowman Lake Trailhead
- Freesoil Trailhead
- Shore-to-Shore State Horse Trail
- River Road Trail Camp and Trailhead
- Au Sable River
-
Day Hiking Only
- Au Sable River – Alcona Dam to Lake Huron
- Whirlpool Angler Access
- Highbanks River Trail
- Forest Discovery Trail
- River Road National Scenic Byway
- Eagle Run Cross-Country Ski and Hiking Trail
- Rollways Campground and Day Use Area
- Crystal Valley Ski Trail
- Hungerford Recreation Area
- Kirtland’s Warbler and Jack Pine Wildlife Tours
- Ruffed Grouse Walk
- Lake Michigan
- Lake Michigan Recreation Area
- Little Manistee River, National Scenic Study River
- Old Grade Campground
- Loud Creek Ski/Hike Trail
- M-37: White Cloud to Baldwin
- Loda Lake National Wildflower Sanctuary
- M-55: Manistee to Cadillac
- Marzinski Horse Trail and Campground
- Sand Lake Recreation Area
- Udell Lookout Tower
- MacKenzie Cross-Country and Mountain Bike Trail
- North Country National Scenic Trail
- 40th St. Trailhead
- 76th St. Trailhead
- Bowman Lake Trailhead
- Freesoil Trailhead
- Pere Marquette River
- Bowman Lake Area
- Bowman Lake Campground
- Bowman Bridge Campground and River Access
- Bowman Lake Area
- Shore-to-Shore State Horse Trail
- River Road Trail Camp and Trailhead
- South Branch Pine River
- Pine River Campground
- Pine River Rearing Run Path
- Pine River Campground
- Wagner Lake Area
- Island Lake Campground
- Loon Lake Day Use Area
- Wakeley Lake Area
- Au Sable River – Alcona Dam to Lake Huron
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Backpacking Only
- Lake Michigan
- Little Manistee River, National Scenic Study River
- Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area
- Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness – Nurnberg Trailhead
- North Country National Scenic Trail
- Marilla Trailhead
- Udell Trailhead
- Pere Marquette River
- Bowman Lake Area
- Whelan Lake Area
- Shore-to-Shore State Horse Trail
- Luzerne Horse Trail Campground and Trailhead
- McKinley Horse Trail Campground
- South Branch Trail Campground and Trailhead
- Wakeley Lake Area
- South Branch Au Sable Area
- Wakeley Lake Area
- White River
- White River Area
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Camping Trails
- Corsair Trail
- Eagle Run Trail
- Highbanks River Trail
- Hungerford Recreation Area
- Manistee River Trail
- Marzinski Horse Trail
- North Country National Scenic Trail
- Shore to Shore Trail
Facts
- The Huron National Forests is spread across 438,584 acres (685.29 sq mi or 1,174.9 sq km). Huron-Manistee National Forests are spread across around one-million-acre (1,562 sq miles or 4,046.86 sq km).
- It was established as a national park in 1909.
- Around 1,810,000 people visit Huron National Forest annually.
Best Time To Visit
You can enjoy motorised and non-motorised recreation opportunities in Huron National Forest round the year.
Visiting Hours
Visiting Hours of Visitor Centres and Administrative Offices:
- Lumberman’s Monument Visitor Centre
- The ground remains open throughout the year
- It remains open daily (including weekends): 10 am to 5 pm
- Offices remain open from Monday to Friday (9 am to 4 pm)
Tickets Price
- Lumberman’s Monument Visitor Centre: No Fee
- Interagency Annual Pass: US$80
- Lifetime Interagency Senior Pass (62 years or older): US$80
- Annual Interagency Senior Pass (62 years or older): US$20
- Interagency Annual Military Pass
- Active Military and their dependents: Free
- Veterans and Gold Star Families: Free
- Interagency Every Kid in a Park Pass: Free
- Interagency Volunteer Pass: Free (250 hours of volunteering)
- Kirtland’s Warbler and Jack Pine Wildlife Tours: No Fee
US National Parks Map