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Ottawa National Forest Visitor Center
Welcome to the Ottawa National Forest! Start your visit to the Forest with a trip to the Ottawa Visitor Center where you will find recreation information, maps, and much more. The facility houses numerous interpretive exhibits and animal mounts explaining the Forest's natural and cultural history. We offer a large selection of educational videos to be viewed in our auditorium, Thursday Evening Programs throughout the summer months, group conservation education programs (upon advanced request), and an interpretive nature trail. The Visitor Center is fully accessible, and no fees are charged for admission or to attend our interpretive programming.
Available at the Ottawa Visitor Center:
- Forest Information
- Visitor/Recreation Information
- Maps
- Forest Product Permits (Please call ahead for availability of permits.)
- Interagency Passes
- Interpretive exhibits and ¼ mile trail
- Auditorium
- Children's classroom
Phone number: 906-358-4724
At a Glance
| Operational Hours: | Current hours are Tuesday - Saturday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm CT, excluding federal holidays. These hours may change over the course of the summer. Please call ahead to confirm hours of operation. |
|---|---|
| Area Amenities: | Interpretive Site, Accessible, Toilets, Parking |
| Fees: | No fees are charged for admission to the Visitor Center, or to attend our interpretive programming. |
| Permit Info: | Ottawa Recreation, Firewood, Balsam Bough, and Christmas Tree Permits are available at this location. Please call ahead for availability of permits. |
| Busiest Season: | May-September |
| Closest Towns: | Ironwood, MI, is 46 miles to the west and Iron River, MI, is 30 miles to the east. Houghton, MI, is 68 miles to the north. Land O Lakes WI is 8 miles south, Eagle River WI is 26 miles south. |
| Water: | No |
| Restroom: | Yes |
| Passes: | You can purchase Interagency Passes at this location. |
| Operated By: | Ottawa National Forest |
General Information
Directions:Located at E23949 US 2 East, Watersmeet, MI; at the intersection of US Highway 45 and US 2.
Activities
Day Hiking
The Visitor Center Interpretive Trail is a short, paved, loop trail, approximately 1/4 of a mile in length. The trail is relatively flat with a few gradual inclines, although the current condition of the trail cannot be deemed ‘accessible’ due to buckling caused by tree roots. The trail winds through a mixed forest type with numerous interpretive signs that identify tree species. Visitors can also take a "Trees along the Trail" pamphlet to help identify the different species of trees encountered on the trail.
| Difficulty Level: | Easy to Intermediate |
|---|
Visitor Programs
Our 60 person auditorium is air-conditioned in the summer and heated in the winter – perfect for getting out of the elements. There are over 100 educational videos to choose from upon request and range in length from a few minutes to a few hours. You can also schedule in advance for a group outing!
Most weeks during the summer we have available our Thursday Evening Program series, generally from late May through August. Thursday evening programs feature a new topic each week and last approximately one hour. Topics in the past have included wildlife, photography, history, weather, and forest management.
Upon advanced request, we can also provide conservation education programming for your group. To request conservation education programming for your group, call 906-358-4724. There is no charge to participate in any of these activities.
Educational Video List - pdf
Interpretive Areas
The facility is packed with interpretive exhibits and animal mounts. Learn about the natural resources, the history of the area, and the people who call this area home. An extensive collection of animal mounts give the visitor glimpses of the many species that make their home in the wild and remote area of the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Interactive displays provide learning activities for visitors of all ages. Try the "Scavenger Hunt" for a rewarding challenge. Fully accessible, there is also an audio tour available upon request.
Visitor Centers
Open to the public since May 1971, our mission is to foster understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of the natural, cultural, recreational, and wilderness resources of the Ottawa National Forest. Through interpretive programs and displays, our goal is to help build public understanding and appreciation of our natural resources that will lead to safe and thoughtful use of the Forest. The Visitor Center is fully accessible, and no fees are charged for admission or to attend our interpretive programming.
| Permit: | You can obtain Ottawa Recreation, Firewood, Balsam Bough, and Christmas Tree Permits at this location. Please call ahead for availability of permits. |
|---|
XC Skiing/Snowshoeing
Our interpretive trail is not just for the hiking enthusiast! Winter is a beautiful time to explore the forest. We have a small selection of snowshoes available for use on the property, free of charge. This is a great way to experience the snow-covered forest. Please call us at 906-358-4724 for availability and sizes.
| Warming Shelters | None |
| Base Conditions | Not Groomed |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy to Intermediate |
|---|
Amenities
| Interpretive Site: | Interpretive Trail 1/4 mile in length; Interpretive displays and programming |
|---|---|
| Parking: | Paved Parking Lot |
| Toilets: | Indoor |
| Accessible: | Ramp and accessible doors lead to the Visitor Center |
Related Information
Location
