With over a million acres of forestland, the Ottawa National Forest is one of the largest Federal forests in the United States. The Ottawa stretches from Lake Superior to the Wisconsin border, encompassing large continuous sections of land in the western U.P. The system features three wilderness areas (Sylvania, McCormick and Sturgeon River Gorge) as well as a diversity of waterways (over 500 lakes and 2000 miles of rivers) and terrain (ranging from elevations of 600 to 1800 feet). With few large towns within or near the system (the largest is Ironwood, with a population of 9000), this forest provides an excellent wilderness experience. Since its official inception in 1931, the Ottawa has supported a wide variety of birds, mammals and aquatic creatures.

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• Link to Ottawa National Forest

• History of the Ottawa National Forest