Huron–Manistee National Forests facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Huron–Manistee National Forests |
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IUCN Category VI (Managed Resource Protected Area)
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Map showing National Forests in Michigan.
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| Location | Lower Peninsula, Michigan |
| Area | Total - 978,906 acres (3,960 km2) Huron - 438,584 acres (1,770 km2) Manistee - 540,322 acres (2,190 km2) |
| Established | Huron - 1909 Manistee - 1938 |
| Governing body | U.S. Forest Service |
| Website | Huron–Manistee National Forests |
The Huron–Manistee National Forests are two large forests in Michigan. They are managed together by the U.S. Forest Service. These forests cover almost a million acres! That's a huge area of public land. This includes about 5,786 acres of wetlands. The forests stretch across the northern part of Michigan's Lower Peninsula.
The Huron–Manistee National Forests offer many fun things to do. They also provide homes for fish and wildlife. Plus, they supply resources for local businesses. The main office for these forests is in Cadillac, Michigan.
Contents
Forest History: How They Began
The Huron National Forest was created in 1909. The Manistee National Forest was created later, in 1938. In 1945, these two forests started being managed as one. Even though they are managed together, they are not right next to each other. The Huron Forest is about 45% of the total area. The larger Manistee Forest makes up about 55%.
Fires can happen in the Huron National Forest. This is because of the types of trees and soil there. For example, jack pine trees have very flammable needles. The soil is also sandy, which can make fires spread easily. Sometimes, forest managers even use small, controlled fires. This helps create good homes for a special bird called the Kirtland's warbler. These fires help new jack pine trees grow.
In 2010, a big fire called the Meridian Boundary Fire happened. It burned over 8,500 acres in and near the Huron National Forest. This fire sadly destroyed 13 homes. It also damaged two other homes and many other buildings.
Exploring the Forests: Fun Features
The Huron–Manistee National Forests have thousands of lakes. They also have many miles of clear rivers and streams. The famous Pere Marquette River and Au Sable River are great for canoeing and fishing. You can also find over 330 miles of trails for hiking.
Many people love to camp in the Huron–Manistee National Forests. You usually do not need a special permit to camp in the campgrounds. However, some campgrounds do ask for a reservation or camping fee. If you want to cut firewood, you will need a wood permit.
Manistee National Forest: What to See
The Manistee National Forest is in the northwest part of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. It has sandy land covered with many trees. There are lots of lakes and even areas along Lake Michigan. This forest is popular for fishing, camping, boating, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and hunting. The North Country Trail also goes through this forest.
The Manistee National Forest covers about 540,187 acres. It is spread across several counties. These include Lake, Newaygo, Wexford, and Manistee counties. Local ranger offices are in Baldwin and Wellston.
The Manistee National Forest is not one solid block of land. It has private property and towns mixed in. Much of this land was left behind by logging companies long ago. The Lumberjack 100 is a 100-mile mountain bike race held here every year.
Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness: A Special Place
A very special part of the Manistee Forest is the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness. This area is about 3,450 acres. It is on the east shore of Lake Michigan. It is one of only two wilderness areas in Michigan. It is also one of the few places in the U.S. with large lake shore dunes. Most of these dunes are 3,500 to 4,000 years old. Some dunes stand about 140 feet higher than the lake.
The Nordhouse Dunes have trees like juniper, jack pine, and hemlock. There are also many small ponds and marshes. Dune grass covers many of the dunes. The beach here is wide and sandy. You can get to Nordhouse Dunes from two main paths. One is from the north at the Lake Michigan Recreation Site. The other is from the south off Nurmberg Road.
Huron National Forest: More Adventures
The Huron National Forest is in the northeast part of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. It covers about 438,538 acres. It is located in parts of Oscoda, Alcona, and Iosco counties. Local ranger offices are in Mio and Oscoda.
The Bull Gap ORV Trail is in the Huron Forest. This trail has about 115 miles of paths for ORVs.
A special bird called the Kirtland's warbler nests in this area. This bird is considered threatened, meaning its population is at risk. You can take tours to see these birds, but there are certain times when tours are allowed.
Images for kids
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Benton Lake, near Baldwin in the Manistee National Forest.
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The Lumberman's Monument, honoring early logging workers, is near Oscoda.
