Travel Guide to the Hiawatha National Forest
HIAWATHA NATIONAL FOREST
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Hiawatha National Forest website
- Interagency Visitor Center, Munising:
(906) 387-2512 - Valley Spur Ski Hot Line: (906) 387-4918
- Maps & Brochures
Welcome to the Hiawatha National Forest –
Your Great Lakes National Forest
With 100 miles of shoreline on three Great Lakes, the Hiawatha National Forest is uniquely positioned to provide you with a wide range of distinct forest recreation opportunities. From lighthouses to islands, from spectacular shorelines to the Midwest’s finest winter playground, the Hiawatha brings to life a fascinating natural and cultural history.
The Hiawatha National Forest was created in 1931 from abandoned farms, razed logging tracts, and lands devastated by forest fires. Replanted originally by the Civilian Conservation Corp and cared for since by the US Forest Service, today’s Hiawatha provides quality habitat for a variety of fish, wildlife and rare plants. Consisting of about one million acres, the Hiawatha offers a wide range of recreation opportunities in a setting of mature forests; inland lakes, streams and rivers; and Great Lakes islands and shorelines. The Hiawatha has a lot to offer its visitors! We invite you to explore our unique combination of Great Lakes natural resources, lighthouses and snow!
Click to download Hiawatha National Forest - West Region map
As you plan your stay, consider the following recreation opportunities:
GREAT BIKING
Prestine Lakes - HNF photo
- Bruno’s Run is considered by many to be one of the premier mountain biking trails in the Central U.P. for intermediate to advanced mountain bikers. This 9 mile loop trail winds past several small lakes, along the Indian River, over foothills, through valleys, and into Wide Waters and Pete’s Lake campground areas. The single track nature of this trail provides a more secluded woods experience and if you are alert, it is likely that you will spot wildlife along the trail. Located about 11 miles south of M-28, Bruno’s Run trail may be reached from the north or the south via H-13. The trail may be accessed from both Wide Waters and Pete’s Lake campgrounds as well as from H-13 at Moccasin Lake and FR 2173 at Grassy Lake. Limited parking is available at each site. Pit toilets and hand pumps for water are located at the campgrounds along the trail.
- Valley Spur’s 25 mile bike trail system is a combination of ski trails and two-track roads. There are 4 loops that vary in length and range from easy to advanced. These trails are generally wider and flatter, perfect for families or beginners. There are two trail heads. The main trail head is located on M-94 just a few miles south of Munising. This location has a pit toilet and a kiosk with maps. There is no water available. There is also a lodge but it is not open during the snow free season. A more primitive trail head is located on the Coalwood road off of M-94 two miles south of the main trailhead.
- Please be aware that all of these trails are multi-use trails. Be prepared to meet hikers and dogs. Bicyclists should maintain control of their speed at all times and approach turns in anticipation of someone around the bend. Road bikes or hybrid bikes are not recommended for either of these trails. For detailed maps, contact the Munising Visitor Center at 906-387-3700
GREAT PADDLING
Canoeing
- Not only are there more than 400 lakes in the Hiawatha National Forest, but there are 5 National Wild and Scenic river ways. This makes the Hiawatha an ideal location for a canoeing or kayaking vacation.
- The meandering AuTrain River offers an excellent 3 to 6 hour paddling experience. The lack of rapids and portages makes this a quiet relaxing outing, perfect for families or beginners. In the spring and fall especially, birders and nature enthusiasts should be on the lookout for the many bird species that use this corridor. There are several access points to the river on H03, all within easy walking distance of each other so there is no need for multiple vehicles. Take a short float from the first bridge to the second bridge or a longer float all the way to Lake Superior. There are also several outfitters along this river to provide boat rentals and transport services. The town of AuTrain can provide you with supplies for your outing.
- The Indian River runs about 40 miles from Fish Lake to Indian Lake and offers excellent paddling. In the spring, the water runs high and fast for more experienced boaters and then after mid-June slows to a gentle flow for paddlers of all levels. There are a few mild rapids and portages are possible in some areas when the water is low. A one or two-day trip will take you deep in to the Hiawatha National Forest, where you will drift past northern hardwoods, mixed conifers, rolling hills and swamps. There are 8 access points to the river and several primitive campsites along the way. If a short trip is what you’re looking for, you can put it at Widewaters Campground and spend a fun 3 hours floating to the Tommy Page Bridge. Or for a unique experience, paddle up river from Widewaters into the head waters of the Indian and glide through a series of small lakes and sloughs where it’s often possible to see herons, eagles, and beaver. There is limited outfitter availability so plan to transport your own equipment. Supplies and canoe rentals are available along H-13.
- For detailed maps, contact the Munising Visitor Center at 906-387-3700.
GREAT SHORT HIKES, SCENIC OVERLOOKS & HISTORIC SITES
- The AuTrain Songbird trail is an easy 2-mile loop interpretive hike that winds through forest and field, along bog and lakeshore, and includes an observation platform on Au Train Lake’s Buck Bay. The trail starts from the AuTrain Campground, 5 miles south of AuTrain off of H03. The best time to hear the ‘woodland concert’ is in the morning when the birds are most active, but you can walk the trail any time of the day. You can rent a field kit in Au Train at the A & L Grocery, Paulson House Museum, or the Au Train Grocery which contains a field guide, a tape and tape player, and binoculars. The tape guides you along the trail and features twenty bird species. In the forested areas, you may see such birds as chickadees, cedar waxwings, and nuthatches. From atop the observation platform, near the trailhead, you may see ducks, shorebirds, and perhaps even an eagle or osprey.
- Bay Furnace Day Use Area and Historic Site is a great place to spend the afternoon. Located adjacent to Bay Furnace Campground in Christmas off M-28, the Day use area offers spectacular views of Lake Superior and Grand Island. Explore the short interpretive trail around the historic blast furnace, comb the rocky beach for purple and green slag, or soak up the sunshine on the wide expanse of grassy lawn. Picnic facilities, drinking water, and pit toilets are located at the day use area and campground. Supplies can be obtained in Christmas or nearby Munising. Weekend performances of local folk singers, songwriters and story tellers, as well as interpretive programs are scheduled throughout the summer at the historic site.
- Pete’s Lake Day Use Area is another excellent scenic picnic spot located off H-13, 20 minutes south of Munising. This Day Use Area has a sandy swimming beach, accessible fishing pier, picnic facilities, and access to the Bruno’s Run hiking/biking Trail. Adjacent to the Campground, there is also a boat launch and several pit toilets and drinking water. This day use area is especially nice for families with children. Dogs are allowed in all of these areas on a leash. For more information, contact the Munising Visitor Center at 906-387-3700.
GREAT SNOW
Snowshoeing
- With over 200 inches falling here, the central Upper Peninsula is truly a winter wonderland. Taking advantage of this snowy resource, the Hiawatha offers several wonderful cross-country ski trails for your enjoyment!
- The premier Valley Spur Ski Trail offers 62 kilometers of regularly-groomed classic and skating trails for all abilities. Located in the “Lake Effect Snowbelt,” this fantastic trail offers wonderful terrain and scenery. Operated and Maintained by the Friends of Valley Spur, the trail also boasts a rustic log cabin Day Lodge open Thursday-Sunday throughout the skiing season. The lodge, pit toilet and parking area are located on H-94, 6 miles south of Munising. You must provide your own ski equipment. Call 906-387-4918 or visit the website www.valleyspur.org for ski trail conditions, updated regularly. A well maintained snowshoe trail also exists at Valley Spur and snowshoes can be rented at the lodge.
- For a more primitive skiing experience, try the McKeever Ski Trail off H-13. At McKeever, the 8.5 kilometers of narrow, scenic trails are groomed only about once per week. The 3 loops range from easy to advanced and weave their way past frozen lakes and idyllic winter landscapes. There are no facilities at this location and you must provide your own ski equipment. Dogs are allowed on this ski trail. The Forest does provide a rustic cabin for rent right off the B loop of the ski trail. Situated on McKeever Lake, the McKeever cabin will sleep 6 and offers a woodstove and pit toilet. For information on cabin rental, you must call 1-877-444-6777.
- The Hiawatha National Forest also connects you to a U.P. wide snowmobile trail system that offers hundreds of miles of beauty, solitude, and adventure. Glide through scenic hardwood forests, over frozen streams, and through the tall northwoods pines. For detailed maps of both trails, contact the Munising Visitor Center at 906-387-3700.
OTHER GREAT THINGS TO DO
ATV/OHV Trails - HNF photo
- Horseback Riding - Horses are allowed on any trail or road (unless otherwise posted) throughout the Forest. There are currently 3 horse friendly campgrounds and 3 developed horse trails. In the Munising area, the Pine Marten Run Trails and the Bay de Noc-to-Grand Island Trail are close destinations.
- ATV Riding - Riding ATVs in the Forest is very popular and visitors will find a variety of roads and trails designated open for motorized use, over 2,000 miles Forest Roads are open to ATVs. The two designated OHV trails are the Coalwood Grade and the Haywire Grade.
- Fishing - The Hiawatha Forest offer great fishing opportunities with its 75 lakes and 600 miles of streams. The fish species include both warmwater and coldwater fish. From brook trout and Great Lakes steelhead fishing to inland lake bass, pike, panfish and walleye - the Hiawatha has it all.
- Hunting - The hunting opportunities in the Hiawatha are endless. The Forest has a wide variety of habitats that make prime hunting spots. Whitetail deer, black bear, ruffed grouse and snowshoe hare are just some of the species hunted.
