Manistee National Forest
| Huron-Manistee National Forests | |
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IUCN category VI (protected area with sustainable use of natural resources)
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Canoes on the Pere Marquette River in Manistee National Forest.
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| Location | Lower Peninsula, Michigan |
| Coordinates | Huron 44°34′N 83°59′W / 44.57°N 83.99°W Manistee 43°51′N 85°57′W / 43.85°N 85.95°W |
| 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 national forests combined in 1945 for administration purposes and which comprise 978,906 acres (3,960 km2) of public lands, including 5,786 acres (23 km2) of wetlands, extending across the northern lower peninsula of Michigan. The Huron-Manistee National Forests provide recreation opportunities for visitors, habitat for fish and wildlife, and resources for local industry. The headquarters for the forests is in Cadillac, Michigan.
The Huron National Forest was established in 1909 and the Manistee National Forest in 1938. In 1945, they were administratively combined, although they are not adjacent. Huron has about 44.8% of the combined area, whereas the larger Manistee has about 55.2%.
The Huron National Forest is prone to many forest fires, for the most part due to the domination of the jack pine trees in the forests, which are extremely flammable. The soil is very sandy, which tends to dry out the vegetation and resources located within the forest.
In 2010, the Meridian Boundary Fire burned over 8,500 acres (3,400 ha) in and near the Huron District of the Huron National Forest. The fire destroyed 13 homes, damaged two others, and destroyed or damaged 46 outbuildings.
The Huron-Manistee boasts thousands of lakes and miles of sparkling rivers and streams. The nationally known Pere Marquette and Au Sable Rivers offer quality canoeing and fishing.
Over 330 miles (531 km) of trails are available for hiking on the Huron-Manistee National Forests.
The Huron-Manistee National Forests are a tourist attraction to many campers. You do not need a permit to camp on the National Forest campgrounds. However, some do require that one pays a reservation or camping fee. A wood permit is required to cut firewood on National Forest System Lands if one chooses to do so as well. These campgrounds are not gated or closed during the off-season, but they are also not maintained or plowed in the winter. Please check the conditions report on the main recreation page of the USDA.gov webpage for a listing of these campgrounds. Dispersed and Primitive camping are also allowed almost anywhere within the Forests, unless otherwise posted closed and/or "No Camping".
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Wikipedia