OttawaNational Forest spans million acres of pristine wilderness amid Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Known for its dense forests, sparkling lakes, and picturesque waterfalls, the forest offers visitors year-round recreational opportunities.
RV camping in Ottawa National Forest provides the perfect way to explore its beauty. With well-equipped campgrounds like the Lake Ottawa Recreation Areaand Norway Lake Campground, camping in Ottawa National Forest promises a memorable experience. You can also rent RVs from RV Share.
Camping in Ottawa National Forest
Ottawa National Forest offers a variety of RV-friendly campgrounds, from paid campgrounds with modern facilities to scenic spots by lakes and rivers. For added convenience, use RVshare to locate nearby dump stations.
Paid Campgrounds in Ottawa National Forest
Private Campgrounds Near Ottawa National Forest
For those looking for additional amenities, explore these top campgrounds in Michigan for camping near Ottawa National Forest to enhance your RV adventure.
Budget-Friendly Campgrounds
Campgrounds by Lakes/Rivers for Fishing and Water Activities
Ottawa National Forest Hiking Trails
Ottawa National Forest boasts over 196 miles of hiking trails, ranging from easy strolls to challenging backcountry adventures. Many trails are located near RV campgrounds, making it convenient for campers.
Easy Trails for Beginners
Challenging Trails
Lakeside Trails
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Potowatomi/Gorge Fall
Park in the Gorge Fall parking lot off of the National Black River Scenic Byway to start this hike. Follow the paved double loop to observe Gorge Fall from several different angles. There are observation platforms where you can rest and watch the falls.
Length: 0.25 Miles
Intensity: Easy
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Cooks Run
The trailhead for this trail is about one mile west of the intersection of Forest Service Road 2010 and U.S. Highway 2. This trail runs through aspen, hardwood, and conifer stands. It is near the Cooks Run Stream, so bring along your fishing equipment. Hunters often use this trail during hunting season.
Length: 7 Miles
Intensity: Difficult
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Pine Bluff Trail
Find this trailhead about 0.25 miles east of Sinnaw along Highway M28. You will love hiking through the northern hardwood forest to see Sturgeon Falls.
Length: 0.5 Miles
Intensity: Easy
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Deer Marsh Interpretative Trail
Deer Marsh Interpretative Trail
This trail begins slightly east of the intersection of FR 2125 and Sidnaw South Road. As you hike across the sandy, gently rolling ground, read the interpretative signs placed along the trail to learn more about the forest. This trail leads through pine and northern hardwood forests until you reach a puncheon bridge above a beaver’s dam.
Length: 3 Miles
Intensity: Moderate
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O Kun De Kun Trail
O Kun De Kun Trail starts near Bruce Crossing off U.S. 45. It runs through aspen and mixed hardwoods, and you can see several waterfalls. Watch for frogs! This trail also is a great place to see a beautiful bridge across a creek, which can make a great family photo setting. The area where it ascends can get slippery when damp, but you will be rewarded with incredible views of the O Kun De Kun Waterfall.
Length: 1 Mile
Intensity: Easy
Activities in Ottawa National Forest
From serene lakes to rugged trails, Ottawa National Forest offers a wide range of activities for nature enthusiasts.
Fishing: Enjoy fishing — a year-round activity — with seasonal highlights like trout fishing from late April to September and lake-run salmon and steelhead fishing from mid-September onwards. Popular spots include the Black River and East Branch Ontonagon River.
Water Activities: Enjoy kayaking and white water canoeing in the Sturgeon River.Other popular non-motorized boating spots include Bobcat Lake, Perch Lake, and Paint River Forks campgrounds. For Lake Superior access, Black River Harbor offers a boat landing and docking facilities.
Hiking: Enjoy hiking through 196 miles of hiking and backpacking trails, offering something for every level of hiker. Popular trails include the North Country Trail.
Wildlife Viewing: Spot diverse species such as whitetail deer, black bears, and peregrine falcons at the Ottawa National Forest. Explore the Deer Marsh Interpretive Trailfor sightings of waterfowl, owls, and beavers from its viewing platforms. Trap Hills offers sightings of the rare Eastern Timber Wolf and Peregrine Falcon .
Winter Sports: Discover 450 miles of groomed snowmobile trails traversing scenic landscapes, with popular routes near Bergland and Watersmeet. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing enthusiasts can explore trails like the Ge-Che Trail and Land O’ Lakes. Digital maps and trail conditions are available online for a hassle-free winter adventure.
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Identifying Flora and Fauna
Ottawa National Forest is home to about 1,000 vascular plant species, about 240 moss and liverwort species, and 200 lichen species. A great place to go to learn more about this area’s plants is the Bergland Cultural Heritage Center and Museum, where you can stroll through a native plant garden. Many species of rare orchids can be seen in the Sylvian Wilderness.
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Fishing
Generally, spring is the best time to go lake fishing in Ottawa National Forest. There are over 500 named lakes and numerous smaller ponds in this forest, so anglers have many different options. Some of the best fishing for trout and walleye are the three lakes in the Lake Ottawa Recreation Area. There are more than 2,000 miles of streams in this forest. Consider fishing for brown trout and steelhead trout in the Sturgeon River.
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Geocaching
There are three EarthCaches in the Ottawa National Forest. One is found in the visitor center, and one at a nearby location is accessible when the visitor center is closed. Each of these two EarthCaches is designed to indicate where a raindrop falling at Ottawa National Forest could eventually end and they tell more about the three possible watersheds. The third EarthCache is located at N46 degrees 16.486 minutes and W89 degrees 10.576 minutes.
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Nature and Bird Watching
A variety of birds, including bald eagles, loons, and ospreys, can be seen in Ottawa National Forest, especially in the Sylvian Wilderness area. The forest is home to whitetail deer, black bears, gray wolves, and coyotes. Many visitors find wildlife along the Deer Marsh Interpretative Trail, which is near Lake Ste. Kathryn Campground.
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Stargazing
There are numerous places to go stargazing. Consider heading to one of the beaches because there will be a break in the thick forest, allowing you to see the sky. You can find beaches at Black River Harbor, Lake Ottawa, Bob Lake, Bobcat Lake, Courtney Lake, Hagermen Lake, Imp Lake, Marion Lake, Norway Lake, Clark Lake, and Teepee Lake.
How to get to Ottawa National Forest
Address: Ottawa National Forest Headquarters, E6248 US 2, Ironwood, Michigan 49938
Fee: Entry Fee (per person)
There is no entry fee.
By Car
By Air
Seasonal Restrictions
Some campgrounds and roads may close during winter or wet weather. Check the official Ottawa National Forest website for updates on closures and restrictions.
Fees and Permits
General forest access is free, but camping fees vary by location. Permits are required for campfires, wood collection, and certain activities. Obtain permits at local ranger stations or on recreation.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ottawa National Forest
Is there a fee to get into Ottawa National Forest?
No, there is no fee to get into Ottawa National Forest. However, there may be fees or permits to use certain areas, or for certain recreational activities.
Is there a limit to how long you can camp in Ottawa National Forest?
Yes, there is a limit to how long you can camp in Ottawa National Forest. You may stay a maximum of 16 days in any one location. Campers must then move at least five miles away to set up camp again.
Is Ottawa National Forest open all year round?
Yes, the Ottawa National Forest is open year-round. In summer, visitors can hike, fish, canoe, and camp while in winter, visitors can cross-country ski, snowshoe, and try other outdoor winter activities.
Can you kayak, canoe, or raft in Ottawa National Forest?
Yes, you can kayak, canoe, or raft in Ottawa National Forest. Michigan's Upper Peninsula is known for its many lakes and waters, so there are plenty of spots for paddling!
What type of wildlife lives in Ottawa National Forest?
Wildlife in the Ottawa National Forest includes whitetail deer, bears, wolves, coyotes, eagles, rabbits, and other small animals. You'll also find a variety of birds and fish who live in the forest.
