Frequently Asked Questions- General
Can I cut a Christmas tree down in the National Forest?
Can I purchase/lease/rent National Forest Land?
What kinds of wildlife will I see? Are there bears in the National Forest? Should I be frightened?
If I pick up trash from the forest will you dispose of it for me?
If I see someone dumping trash, what can I do to help to stop this behavior?
Where can I find out about the Plant-A-Tree program?
Can I carry a concealed weapon on Forest Service Lands?
Where is the Forest and how do I get there?
The Huron-Manistee National Forests are two separate Forests administered together out of the Forest Supervisor's Office in Cadillac, MI. Together they total approximately one million acres of public land. The Forests' boundary extend from the shores of Lake Michigan to the Shores of Lake Huron. In addition to the Supervisor's Office, there are four district offices: Baldwin Ranger Station, Manistee Ranger Station, Mio Ranger Station, and Huron Shores Ranger Station in Oscoda. There is also one visitor center, Lumberman's Monument Visitor Center , near Oscoda. If you are not sure where National Forest System land is specifically located, please stop at one of our offices for a forest map to help guide you. There is no entrance gate or specific area in which to enter the National Forests.
Can I cut a Christmas tree down in the National Forest?
Christmas tree tags are available at any forest service office for $5.00 each. Please use the following guidelines if you plan to cut your own tree. Do not cut a tree over 15 feet tall, and do not cut a tree within 150 feet of roads, trails or developed areas. The metal tag should be attached to the tree and sealed at the time of cutting. Digging up of trees is not permitted. Cut the tree as close to the ground as possible so as not to leave a stump. A map will be provided when you purchase a tag showing where cutting is permitted.
Can I purchase/lease/rent National Forest Land?
No. The Huron-Manistee National Forests do not rent or lease land for recreational purposes. However, land exchanges are permitted under certain circumstances. For more information on Land Exchanges visit our Lands page, for more information on Special Use Permits visit our Commerical Uses page
What kinds of wildlife will I see? Are there bears in the National Forest? Should I be frightened?
Wildlife is plentiful in the Huron-Manistee National Forests. Whitetail deer, turkey, rabbit, fox, squirrel, coyote, raccoon, grouse, pine marten, and black bear are just a few of the animal species that can be seen on the Huron-Manistee National Forests. If you feel uncomfortable with any type of wildlife, please contact the forest service office in the area where you wish to visit for information regarding how to react when encountering various wildlife.
If I pick up trash from the forest will you dispose of it for me?
If you wish to be a helpful forest visitor and pick up trash you find while recreating in the forest, you may bring the trash to any forest service office to be disposed of. Please visit the "Adopt-A-Forest" website to learn how you can get involved and become a volunteer.
If I see someone dumping trash, what can I do to help to stop this behavior?
If you see someone dumping trash on national forest system land, please get a license number or description of the vehicle, if possible, and report this information to the nearest forest service office.
Where can I find out about the Plant-A-Tree program?
Visit our web page with information on Plant-A-Tree.
Can I carry a concealed weapon on Forest Service Lands?
If you have the appropriate permits from the State you can carry a concealed weapon on Forest Service lands.
Frequently Asked Questions- Recreation
Where can I ride my ORV and what are the rules and regulations (trails, registration, trailer sticker)?
What rivers require a permit and how can I get one?
Where can I ride my horse?
Where can I ride my mountain bike?
Do you maintain your parking lots during winter months?
Can I hike and snowshoe on groomed trails and, if not, why?
Can I ride my snowmobile/ORV cross country?
Can I hunt on National Forest Land?
Are pets allowed in campgrounds, on trails and/or on beaches?
Is there water available at the non-motorized trail areas and is it safe for drinking?
Do you have showers or electricity at your campgrounds?
Can I have a campfire?
Are pack animals allowed on the trails?
Is mushing (dog sledding) allowed on Forest Service land?
Can I ride a tracked vehicle (Gator, Argo, etc) on the Huron-Manistee National Forest?
Can I camp on the side of the road with my 5th wheel or pop-up camper?
Where can I camp and do I need a permit?
You can camp anywhere on national forest system land without a permit for a period of 16 days unless the area is posted no camping. (See information on Primitive Camping Guidelines or Dispersed Camping Guidelines).
Some developed campgrounds are administered under a concessionaire agreement, and have a fee associated with camping, day use, and boat launching. Please see information on developed campgrounds and fee information.
Some primitive campgrounds require a vehicle pass. Please see information about the Recreation Enhancement Act Fee program. For information on vehicle passes please contact one of our offices.
Where can I ride my ORV and what are the rules and regulations (trails, registration, trailer sticker)?
Please view our Travel Mangement Rule Page and Motor Vehicle Use map for information on where ORV's can be ridden.
What rivers require a permit and how can I get one?
A permit is required to float the Pine and Pere Marquette Rivers on the Manistee National Forest. Permits are required from May 15 through September 10. Permits for the Pere Marquette River and the Pine River are available at our Baldwin office Monday through Sunday during the permit season. Permits for the Pine River are available at our Manistee and Cadillac office. (For details see Pine River or Pere Marquette River).
Where can I ride my horse?
Horses are allowed anywhere on National Forest land unless posted otherwise. There are some trails which are designated foot travel only and do not allow horses. For a list of horse trails, please visit our trails web page.
Where can I ride my mountain bike?
Mountain bikes are allowed on trails designated for mountain bike use. Some trails are foot travel only and bikes are prohibited. Mountain and road bikes are also allowed on all forest roads with a note of caution for safety as motorized vehicles will also be using these roads. (See information on mountain bike trails).
Do you maintain your parking lots during winter months?
There are many forest roads which are seasonal roads and are not maintained during winter months. Some of our recreations sites are plowed for winter use. Please call the district office where you plan to visit for information on particular sites.
Can I hike and snowshoe on groomed trails and, if not, why?
Hiking and snow shoeing are not recommended on groomed cross country ski and snowmobile trails. The volunteer groups who groom our trails work very hard and spend many hours keeping our trails in good condition for our ski and snowmobile enthusiast. Walking alongside the trail would be recommended. If you walk with your pet, please keep them off of the groomed portion of the trail as well.
Can I ride my snowmobile/ORV cross country?
No. Snowmobiles and off-road vehicles are allowed on designated trails only. Riding cross-country is prohibited. (See the Motor Vehicle Use map and Travel Management Rule or ORV/Snowmobile Regulations for more information ).
Can I hunt on National Forest land?
Yes. Hunting is allowed on National Forest system land, with some restrictions. If you are a disabled hunter with a certificate from the state, that certificate is valid for state land ONLY and does not apply to National Forest land. All rules and regulations regarding off-road vehicles apply to everyone who wishes to hunt on national forest land. If you are interested in areas of the forest that have been recently cut, please contact the forest service office in the area you wish to hunt for information.
Are pets allowed in campgrounds, on trails and/or on beaches?
Yes. Pets are allowed in campgrounds and on trails providing they are on a leash no longer than 6'. Pets are not permitted on beaches.
Is there water available at the non-motorized trail areas and is it safe for drinking?
Pump water is available at our campgrounds. However, there is no water available along our recreational trails. If you plan to use water from lakes, rivers, or streams, please use a water filter for safety reasons.
Do you have showers or electricity at your campgrounds?
Most national forest campgrounds provide a rustic camping experience. We do not provide electricity at most campgrounds and most do not have shower facilities, hot water or flush toilets. For information on the campgrounds that do offer one or more of these facilities, please visit the campground information pages or call the forest service office that administers the campground in which you are interested.
Can I have a campfire?
Campfires are allowed if you are dispersed camping provided you keep the fire small. Campfires are for cooking and warming purposes only. Be conscious of fire conditions during the months of April through November. Please use a fire ring where provided.
Are pack animals allowed on the trails?
Pack animals are NOT allowed on the following trails:
| Manistee River Trail |
Hoist Lake |
| Nordhouse Dunes |
Reid Lake |
| North Country National Scenic Trail |
Eagle Run |
| Corsair |
Highbanks |
Pack animals are any animal with hooves: horses, goats, mules, etc. This does not include llamas, they do not have hooves.
Is mushing (dog sledding) allowed on Forest Service land?
With the exception of cross-country ski trails you may mush (dog sled) on all public land in the state of Michigan, including groomed snowmobile trails.
Can I ride a tracked vehicle (Gator, Argo, etc) on the Huron-Manistee National Forest?
Due to their width (57" +), most of these vehicles are wider than our trail system will allow (50") and will not be able to use the designated trails. Also, these vehicles are not street legal and cannot travel forest roads or two-tracks.
However, if the vehicle is registered as a snowmobile and has the proper trail sticker they may use snowmobile trails during the snow season. See information on snowmobile rules and regulations.
NOTE: Using these track vehicles on snowmobile trails can become a safety issue because of the width of the vehicle. Our trails are 10' wide and are two-way trails. These track vehicles are 8' wide and will take up most of the trail, and can pose a problem with on-coming snowmobile traffic. Please be cautious of other trail-riders.
Can I camp on the side of the road with my RV, 5th wheel or pop-up camper?
No. When dispersed camping, your campsite must remain at least 200 feet from water and approximately 150 feet from roads and all trails. Motorized cross-country travel is not allowed on Forest Service Land. For more information on motor vehicle use on National Forest lands view our information on the Travel Management Rule. Dispersed camping in tents is allowed on most areas of the Forests- for restrictions visit our Camping page.
