Water Activities

The Ottawa National Forest, located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, is home to over 2,000 miles of streams, including 300 miles of designated National Wild and Scenic Rivers. Canoeing and kayaking are favorite pastimes of local area residents and visitors alike. View a map that shows some of our most popular river trail segments.

Paint National Wild and Scenic River Federal Register Notice:

• Federal Register Notice
• Legal Description
• Map

Boating - Motorized

Many Ottawa National Forest lakes are large enough for motorized boats. Fishing is very popular as well as waterskiing. Most lakes have boat landings available to the public. Black River Harbor, one of only two harbors in the forest service system, provides a boat landing and docking providing access to Lake Superior.

Boating - Non-Motorized

With over 500 lakes and more than 2000 miles of fishable stream, and over 130,000 acres of wetlands, the Ottawa aquatic resources are abundant and diverse. This is all available for those outdoor enthusiasts who want to get on the canoe or kayak and enjoy the scenery.

Swimming

 Swimming is a favorite activity on the Ottawa. Although our season is short due to our climate that just means we enjoy that much more. The majority of our lakes and streams don't have an established beach and of those that do there are no lifeguards, so please be careful.

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Recreation Opportunities

Boating - Motorized (14)

Boating - Non-Motorized (14)

Swimming (5)

Showing: 11 - 20 of 21 results

Marion Lake Campground

Site Open

Marion Lake Campground, located just 4 miles east of Watersmeet, MI, on the Watersmeet Ranger District, offers tranquility and beauty not often found in other high use campgrounds. Designed to take…

Moosehead Lake Campground

Site Open

Located in Gogebic County, 10 miles southeast of the town of Marenisco, Mi, on the Bessemer Ranger District in the southern half of the Ottawa National Forest. Moosehead Lake Campground consists of…

Norway Lake Campground

Site Open

Norway Lake Campground is located 8 miles southeast of Sidnaw on the Kenton Ranger District. This two-loop campground provides visitors with a unique camping experience among the towering Red Pines.…

Paint River Forks Campground

Site Open

This campground is a small rural campground that offers river bank camping. Located at the fork of the South and North Branch of the Paint River it offers canoeing and fishing opportunities.

Perch Lake Campground

Site Open

Perch Lake Campground is located 10 miles south of Sidnaw on the Kenton Ranger District.  This one loop campground provides 20 drive-in campsites that can accommodate tents, trailers and motor…

Pomeroy Lake Campground

Site Open

Located in Gogebic County 8 miles southeast of the town of Marenisco, Mi, on the Bessemer Ranger District, in the southern half of the Ottawa National Forest. The campground consists of one camping…

Robbins Pond Campground

Site Open

This deep woods dispersed campground is located on Robbins Pond, a well known trout pond. It features three campsites and is located in the northeast corner of the Watersmeet Ranger District.…

Sparrow Rapids Campground

Site Open

Sparrow Rapids Campground provides visitors with an opportunity to be near a wilderness and a Wild/Recreation River at the same time. This campgrouind has six campsites that can accomodate tents,…

Sturgeon River Campground

Site Open

Sturgeon River Campground is located along the Sturgeon River, near Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness. It provides the outdoor eventurist with several opportunities to get out and see and explore…

Sylvania (Clark Lake) Campground

Site Open

Adjacent to the 18,327 Sylvania Wilderness is Clark Lake Campground. A day use area with a canoe landing and trailheads is available. Perfect for anyone who wants to take day trips into the…