Manistee National Forest

Manistee National Forest
IUCN category VI (protected area with sustainable use of natural resources)
Red Pine plantation in the Manistee National Forest
Map showing National Forests in Michigan.
Location	Lower Peninsula, Michigan
Coordinates	43°51′N 85°57′W / 43.85°N 85.95°W / 43.85; -85.95
Area	Total - 978,906 acres (3,960 km2) Huron - 438,584 acres (1,770 km2) Manistee - 540,322 acres (2,190 km2)[1]
Established	1938
Governing body	U.S. Forest Service
Website	Huron-Manistee National Forests

The Manistee National Forest is a national forest located in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. It has a total area of 540,187 acres (2,190 km²). It was established in 1938, and combined with the Huron National Forest in 1945 for administrative purposes, creating the Huron-Manistee National Forests. However, they are two separate forest units, as they are not connected.^[2] The area is popular for hiking, fishing, camping, boating, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and hunting. The North Country Trail passes through it, and connects with the 11-mile Manistee River Trail to form a 23-mile loop. The highest point in the lower peninsula, Briar Hill (1,706 ft), is located here. The Manistee National Forest is not one continuous mass, but is a "mosaic" broken by private property and towns. The headquarters for the forest is in Cadillac, Michigan.