Hiawatha National Forest

is a popular recreation area with outdoor activities year round. These activities include rustic camping, picnicking, boating/fishing, swimming, canoeing, mountain biking and hiking along the many recreational trails that connect campgrounds and historic sites.

Hiawatha National Forest has unique plants and animals, that include threatened and endangered species. It has managed the habitat of the greater sand hill crane for years and is monitoring the lake sturgeon which is also a threatened species. The Forest has also reintroduced the pine marten within its boundaries.

Hiawatha National Forest is surrounded by three of the Great Lakes. Located within its boundaries are two Great Lakes islands, Round Island and Government Island. This makes Hiawatha National Forest one of the most unique of the four National Forests within Michigan's two peninsulas.

Grand Island
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. The island's scenic natural beauty and interesting history make it an attractive place for camping and other outdoor activities.

Lighthouses in Hiawatha

Located within the Hiawatha National Forest are three historic lighthouses. The Point Iroquois Lighthouse located at White Fish Bay on Lake Superior, Round Island Lighthouse located near Mackinac Island in the Straits of Mackinac, and the Point Peninsula Lighthouse located at the tip of the Stonington Peninsula on Lake Michigan.

Recreational Trails in Hiawatha

The trails within the Hiawatha National forest are popular to a variety of different users. The Bay de Noc-Grand Island Trail offers 40 miles of scenic routes for horseback, hiking and cross-country skiing. Valley Spur, McKeever Hills, and the Rapid River Cross-Country Ski Trails are popular routes during the winter, they offer a challenge no matter what experience level your at. Some of the North Country National Scenic Trail also passes through the Hiawatha National Forest.

For more information on Hiawatha National Forest call or write to:
Forest Service/Park Service
Route 2, Box 400, Munising, MI 49862
(906) 387-3700