Outdoor Science and Learning
From East to West and North to South the Ottawa National Forest is Nature Viewing platform. If you are interested in scenery, plants and vegetation, or wildlife we have it all. Water and our many lakes and streams provide some of the best viewing opportunities as most of them have a waterfall nearby. Our forest is a mixture of Hardwoods, Aspen, and Conifers that provide support for a wide variety of wildlife and plant life. Take a walk down one of our many maintained trails and you experience nature. Some excellent locations to visit would be Sylvania Wilderness, Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness, McCormick Wilderness, Deer Marsh, and Imp Lake Interpretive Trail.
Interpretive Areas/Exhibits
The Ottawa National Forest manages several Interpretive areas. Many of these provide the public with access to view the plants, animals, and scenery.
Viewing Wildlife
The Ottawa National Forest is home to many species of wildlife. Our terrain and vegetation provide excellent cover and food for Whitetail Deer, Black Bear, Grey Wolves, Coyote, Eagles, Hawks, Rabbits, Waterfowl Birds, Ruffed Grouse, and many more species of smaller birds and animals. If you are fortunate enough to experience our wildlife, please remember these animals are wild: do not get too close to them or feed them.
Viewing Plants
The Ottawa National Forest and its 1 million acres provides a wide variety of plant life. With over 1500 vascular plant species, about 240 moss and liverwort species, and 200 lichen species on the Forest you will likely view many different types of plants, some beautiful and some not so much. All our campground and trails are fine places to find many species of local plants.
Viewing Scenery
The Ottawa National Forest and its vast variety of landscapes provides some of the most awesome scenery you will find. From our northern higher elevations that include cliffs and outcrops that allow you to see for miles, the eastern rolling hills that are mostly forested with Spruce and Pine Trees, to the rolling hills of the southern part of the forest that gives you good variety of landscapes. One thing is for sure is that you whenever you are enjoying our scenery you most likely have the opportunity to view one of our many waterfalls, lakes or streams.
A special treat is provided every year during the fall colors. The Ottawa National Forest provides some of the best fall color viewing available and we are unique in that we experience 3 separate color peaks, depending on what part of the forest you are on.
Visitor Centers
Nestled in the beautiful Northwoods of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Camp Nesbit Environmental Center is the perfect setting for exploring the natural world. Built by the CCC, this residential camp blends a rustic feel with many modern conveniences. Find out how to reserve this beautiful piece of history for your group by clicking the link below.
Start your visit to the Forest with a trip to the Ottawa Visitor Center, here you will find recreation information, maps, and much more. The facility is packed with interpretive exhibits and animal mounts explaining the Forest's natural and cultural history.
Visitor Programs
From endangered species to invasive species, the National Forests abound with plant and animal life.
Did you know the way to count a tree ring is to count only the darker circles? Or that the smaller the rings, the less a tree grew that year?
Did you know that water is never really clear? Even pure water always has a blue tint. Red means there is iron, brown/gold is from tannins, and yellow means decaying plants.
Learn more about the forest, the environment, wildlife, and more through one of our many conservation education or outdoor learning programs.
The Ottawa Visitor Center provides educational films and presentations throughout the year that are unique to the Ottawa and their display of historic and educational items is a must see.
We provide guided tours to the JW Toumey Nursery. The nursery was established in 1935 in response to a growing need for tree seedlings and is now the last remaining Forest Service nursery in the Eastern Region. The J.W. Toumey Nursery personnel provide hosted tours for a wide range of groups including University forestry students, elementary through high school students, numerous organizations, and any individual or group with an interest in Nursery practices.
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Agate Falls
Ajibikoka Falls
Bob Lake Campground
Bond Falls Watefalls
Burned Dam Campground
Cascade Falls
Conglomerate Waterfalls
Courtney Lake Campground
Duppy Falls
Imp Lake Campground