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Michigan's
state recreation areas, parks and forests
provide many opportunities to enjoy
outdoor activities or simply rest and
relax in our state's outdoor splendor.
Don't miss your opportunity to learn
more about the unique features of all
Michigan's parks and forests.
Michigan
main page
Harbor
Island National Wildlife Refuge-Harbor
Island National Wildlife Refuge
is located just off the northwest
shore of Drummond Island, in
Potagannissing Bay, on Lake
Huron. The horseshoe-shaped
island contains a variety of
habitats that include a marsh-lined
harbor in the center, sandy
beaches, and mature stands of
balsam fir, white cedar, paper
birch, sugar maple, and red
oak. The undeveloped habitats
of the island support a diverse
population of wildlife. The
island is open for public use
with fishing and hunting the
primary uses.The
refuge is managed by staff at
Seney National Wildlife Refuge,
in Seney, Michigan. |
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Hiawatha
National Forest-Located
between three of the Great Lakes,
within the central and eastern
portion of the Upper Peninsula
of Michigan, lies the Hiawatha
National Forest. Rolling hills
forested with northern hardwoods,
white pine and hemlock, flatland
covered by red pine, jack pine
and aspen, and large open and
tree covered wetlands form the
879,000 acres of the Hiawatha
National Forest.
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Huron-Manistee
National Forests- Located
in the northern lower peninsula
of Michigan, lies the Huron-Manistee
National Forests. The forests
contain approximately 964,413
acres, including 5,786 acres
of wetlands. Huron-Manistee
National Forests are actually
two forests combined in 1945
for administration purposes.
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Keweenaw
Waterway- At the upper and
lower entrances of the Keweenaw
Waterway Project on the Portage
River in the Keweenaw Peninsula,
Houghton County, Michigan, are
two harbors of refuge. This
waterway entrance for Great
Lakes shipping is used as a
shortcut and refuge from storms
on Lake Superior. Recreational
areas managed by State and local
agencies at the upper entrance
include boating, swimming, and
picnic facilities. The lower
entrance, Portage Entry, has
a restroom facility and a boat
launch. |
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Ottawa
National Forest- The almost
one million acres of the Ottawa
National Forest are located
in the western Upper Peninsula
of Michigan. It extends from
the south shore of Lake Superior
down to Wisconsin and the Nicolet
National Forest. The area is
rich in wildlife viewing opportunies;
topography in the northern portion
is the most dramatic with breathtaking
views of rolling hills dotted
with lakes, rivers and spectacular
waterfalls. |
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Pictured
Rocks National Lakeshore- Multicolored
sandstone cliffs, beaches, sand
dunes, waterfalls, inland lakes,
wildlife and the forest of the
Lake Superior shoreline beckon
visitors to explore this 73,000+
acre park. Attractions include
a lighthouse and former Coast
Guard life-saving stations along
with old farmsteads and former
logging trails. The park is
a four season recreational destination
where hiking, camping, hunting,
nature study, and winter activities
abound. At its widest point
the Lakeshore is only five miles
and hugs the Superior shoreline
for more than 40 miles. This
was the first National Lakeshore
and was authorized in 1966 |
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Seney
National Wildlife Refuge-Seney
National Wildlife Refuge protects
95,212 acres of diverse wetland
and upland habitats that support
a wide variety of wildlife.
The refuge consists of marshes,
fens, and bogs; coniferous and
northern hardwood forests; upland
barrens and meadows; and a 25,000-acre
Wilderness Area. Approximately
65% of the refuge is wetland.
The refuge supports an array
of both wetland and upland wildlife
species such as bald eagles,
ospreys, loons, otters, beavers,
black bears,white-tailed deer,
and wolves. More than 6,400
acres of open water are managed
in 21 major pools. |
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Shiawassee
National Wildlife Refuge
- Shiawassee National Wildlife
Refuge is located in central
lower Michigan, approximately
25 miles south of Saginaw Bay.
It was established in 1953 to
provide habitat for migratory
waterfowl. Known locally as
the "Shiawassee Flats,"
the refuge lies in the Saginaw
Bay watershed, historically
one of the largest and most
productive wetland ecosystems
in Michigan. Refuge habitat
consists of riparian, floodplain/bottomland
hardwood forests and emergent
marshes, as well as moist soil
management units and croplands.
Four rivers converge on the
refuge - the Tittabawassee,
Flint, Cass, and Shiawassee.
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Sleeping
Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
- Sleeping Bear Dunes National
Lakeshore encompasses a 60 km
(35 mi.) stretch of Lake Michigan's
eastern coastline, as well as
North and South Manitou Islands.
The park was established primarily
for its outstanding natural
features, including forests,
beaches, dune formations, and
ancient glacial phenomena. The
Lakeshore also contains many
cultural features including
a 1871 lighthouse, three former
Life-Saving Service/Coast Guard
Stations and an extensive rural
historic farm district. Authorized:
October 21, 1970. Acreage: 56,993
federal, 14,194 non-federal.
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Everything that makes
Michigan special is embodied in the
97 state parks and six state forests!
Recreational staples such as hiking,
camping, fishing, hunting and picnicking
are just the beginning of all the
adventures available to park and forest
visitors.
Boating, biking, sightseeing, wildlife
watching, ice fishing, water skiing,
horseback riding, off-roading in your
vehicle, nature study, skating, snowmobiling,
cross-country skiing, sailboarding
or just lounging around and relaxing
with family and friends are all available.
No matter where you go, there's a
state park or forest that offers what
you want to do.
In Michigan, state parks and state
forests are dedicated to the visitor's
enjoyment. Fill out a Customer Comment
card at a state park or recreation
area so the DNR knows how you feel
about your most recent experience.
A Michigan state park motor vehicle
permit, available at each park entrance
gate, is required at all state parks.
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