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Michigan truly is an all-weather, any-time-of-the-year recreation sort of state; from sunny beach days on the great lakes to enjoying a snowshoe hike in the state’s national forests.
Last Thursday the U.S. Forest Service announced several recreation sites across the Ottawa National Forest will have plow services during the winter, allowing visitors to explore recreation areas this season. Sno plowing generally occurs between Monday and Friday, no sooner than 24 hours before snowfall ends. Facilities such as restrooms will not remain open during the winter.
Some of the recreation sites the forest service plans to plow during the winter include Lake Ottawa, the Black River Harbor and Falls, Hagerman Lake, Bass Lake, Langford Lake, Clark Lake Recreation area, Courtney Lake Day Use Area and Boat Launch, Whitefish Trail, Bergland Ski Trailhead, and the North Country Trail access near county road 519. Operations Staff Officer Spring Rosales says winter is the longest recreation season of the year and very important to the region’s economy. Adding the forest service appreciates the roles of community partners in extending recreation opportunities in the winter. Those interested in finding a full list of recreation areas that will have plowing occur in the Ottawa National Forest this winter can find more details below.
Recreation sites that will be open for winter access include:
- Lake Ottawa
- Black River Harbor and waterfalls
- Hagerman Lake
- Bass Lake
- Langford Lake
- Courtney Lake Day Use Area and Boat Launch
- Clark Lake Recreational Area
- Allen Lake
- Moon Lake
- Golden Lake
- Imp Lake
- Whitefish Trail
- Bobcat Lake
- Kakabika Falls
- North Country Trailhead access off County Rd 519
- Kun de Kun Falls
- Bergland Ski Trailhead
- White Deer Lake
Plan ahead and prepare! Before embarking on your winter adventure think safety first:
– Ensure you have a current map and working compass.
– If a site hasn’t been plowed yet, re-think driving in.
– Don’t recreate alone without backup plans in place.
– Dress appropriately for changing winter weather conditions and always carry extra food and
water.
– Remember, getting stuck in a remote area or being involved in a minor accident can turn life
threatening quickly in the winter.
