Manistee National Forest facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Manistee National Forest |
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IUCN Category VI (Managed Resource Protected Area)
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Red Pine plantation in the Manistee National Forest
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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 | 1938 |
| Governing body | U.S. Forest Service |
| Website | Huron-Manistee National Forests |
The Manistee National Forest is a large forest in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. It covers about 540,187 acres (2,186 km²). This forest was created in 1938. In 1945, it joined with the Huron National Forest for management. Together, they are called the Huron–Manistee National Forests. However, they are two separate forest areas.
Many people visit the Manistee National Forest. It is a great place for hiking and fishing. You can also enjoy camping, boating, and snowmobiling. In winter, cross-country skiing is popular. Hunting is also allowed here.
The North Country Trail goes through the forest. It connects with the 11-mile Manistee River Trail. This creates a fun 23-mile loop for hikers. The highest point in Michigan's Lower Peninsula is here. It is called Briar Hill and is 1,706 feet (520 m) tall. The forest is not one big block of land. It is a mix of forest, private land, and towns. The main office for the forest is in Cadillac, Michigan.
Contents
History of the Manistee National Forest
The Manistee National Forest was created in a special way. It was made from lands that had been logged. These lands were also bought by the government. After the logging boom, much of the forest was cut down. The land was not good for farming. Many areas were burned and had no trees by the 1930s.
In the 1920s, people started to care more about forests. They wanted to replant trees and protect wildlife. President Theodore Roosevelt led this effort across the United States. In 1938, President Franklin D. Roosevelt officially created the Manistee National Forest.
One of his main goals was to replant the cut-down areas. This work was done by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC was a program that gave jobs to young men during the Great Depression. They helped replant most of Michigan's empty lands.
Geography and Nature
The land in the forest is mostly covered by trees. Underneath are sedimentary rocks. A thick layer of glacial drift covers these rocks. This drift can be up to 1,000 feet (300 m) thick. You can see many glacial features here. These include moraines, outwash plains, and old shorelines. The soils are mostly sandy.
Many aquifers are found within the glacial deposits. These underground water sources feed thousands of miles of cold streams. They keep the water flowing at a steady rate all year.
Trees and Plants
The forest has a mix of hardwood trees and pines. The most common tree is the red pine (Pinus resinosa). A special sight in Michigan's National Forests are the long, straight rows of red pines. These were planted by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Today, many of these trees are over 75 feet (23 m) tall. They are an important source of wood for timber sales.
The largest continuous red pine plantation in North America is here. It is called the Kellog Plantation.
Forest Locations and Activities
The Manistee National Forest spreads across several counties. These include Lake, Newaygo, Wexford, Manistee, Mason, Oceana, Muskegon, Mecosta, and Montcalm counties.
There are local ranger offices in Baldwin and Manistee.
The Lumberjack 100 is a 100-mile mountain bike race. It happens every year inside the forest.
You can camp for free in many parts of the National Forest. Just follow the rules on the USFS website. Some campgrounds need a reservation or a fee. If you want to cut firewood, you need a special permit. This permit is only for the Manistee National Forest.
Special Features of the Forest
The Manistee National Forest has many interesting places to explore.
Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness
The Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness is a special part of the forest. It is about 3,450 acres (14 km²) in size. This area is on the east shore of Lake Michigan. It is one of the few wilderness areas 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 (43 m) higher than the lake.
The Nordhouse Dunes have plants like juniper, jack pine, and hemlock trees. Many small water holes and marshes are scattered across the landscape. Dune grass covers many of the sand dunes. The beach here is wide and sandy.
Briar Hill
Briar Hill is the highest point in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. It is 1,706 feet (520 m) high. This hill was formed by glaciers. It is mostly covered with second-growth hardwood trees. There are no marked trails to the top. The views from the summit are limited. You can still see the old footings of a steel fire tower. There is also a USGS survey marker there. It incorrectly spells the hill as "Brier Hill."
Caberfae Peaks Ski & Golf Resort
Caberfae Peaks Ski & Golf Resort is located in the Manistee National Forest. It is in the Caberfae Hills area. This area gets a lot of lake-effect snow. The resort first opened in January 1938. This makes it one of the oldest ski resorts in the United States.
Rivers and Trails
Several rivers flow through the forest. The most famous ones are the Manistee, Pere-Marquette, Pine, Muskegon, and the Little Manistee. These rivers were very important for moving logs to mills during the lumber boom. Today, they are popular for canoeing, fishing, hunting, and hiking.
One popular hiking spot is a 23-mile loop trail. It is made up of the Manistee River Trail and the North Country Scenic Trail. You can start this loop from the Red Bridge and Seaton Creek areas. You can also begin from the Marilla and Upper River Road Trailheads. Many backpackers take 2-3 days to hike the whole loop. They set up campsites along the way.
Images for kids
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A United States Forest Service (USFS) road near Briar Hill
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A scenic overlook atop a hill in the Manistee National Forest
