U.S. Forest Service - Ottawa National Forest

09/04/2026

08/31/2026

Hello Folks!

We are excited to have Kristin Ojaniemi finish out our 2026 Thursday Evening Programs this Thursday, September 3rd, at the Ottawa National Forest Visitor Center in Watersmeet! Kristin is the producer and host of WLUC-TV6's "Discovering" outdoors television program, and she will be sharing her experiences traveling around the Upper Peninsula and creating stories for region's iconic show over the past 7 years.

The program starts at 7:00 PM CST at the Visitor Center here in Watersmeet, located at the corner of US Highways 2 and 45. We'd love to see you here later this week!

📷 Kristin Ojaniemi

08/26/2026

"I make a point to appreciate all the little things in my life. I go out and smell the air after a good, hard rain.... These small actions help remind me that there are so many great, glorious pieces of good in the world." ~ Dolly Parton

08/25/2026

All Ottawa National Forest Offices and the Ottawa National Forest Visitor Center will be closed today, August 25th, to allow our staff to attend an all-employee function.

Thank you for your understanding please recreate responsibly!

08/24/2026

Greetings!

Please join us at the Visitor Center this Thursday, August 27th, to learn all about the North Country Trail! Regional Trail Coordinator Kenny Wawsczyk will talk about general North Country Trail information, details about the nearly 1,200 miles here in Michigan, and ways to get involved with local chapters.

The program starts at 7:00 PM CST at the Ottawa National Forest Visitor Center, located at the intersection of US Highways 2 and 45 in Watersmeet.

📷 Aaron Woof

08/22/2026

Many individuals who serve on wildfire assignments aren’t fulltime firefighters. The people working essential support roles in fire camps — often earn what's known as a red card, so they can assist on fires throughout the year in addition to their normal jobs.

Every role, whether on the line or behind the scenes, is vital to our firefighting system and the protection it provides to impacted communities across the country.

(Forest Service Photo – Bobcat Fire)

08/21/2026

REMINDER: The Ottawa Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) is accepting project proposals. $121,000 is available for projects that benefit Ottawa National Forest land, particularly in Gogebic and Ontonagon Counties. Project proposals are due to Ian Shackleford (Ottawa RAC Coordinator) by Friday, September 4. More information is available in our June 17 press release and on the Ottawa RAC web page. See the links below!

https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/ottawa/newsroom/releases/ottawa-resource-advisory-committee-invites-project-proposals

https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/ottawa/working-with-us/committees

In 2025 the Gogebic Conservation District received $32,713 of RAC funding to remove junk vehicles and do other restoration projects near the Black River.

📷 Ian Shackelford

08/18/2026

Hey Friends!

We'd love to see you this Thursday at the Ottawa National Forest Visitor Center in Watersmeet for a unique program. Karl Dietzler, from Keweenaw National Historic Park, and Greg Swallow, Heritage Program Manager here on the Ottawa, will be joining forces to talk about how different federal agencies work to preserve and celebrate the rich mining heritage we are lucky to claim here in the Upper Peninsula.

The program starts at 7 PM CST this Thursday, August 20th. The Ottawa National Forest Visitor Center is located at the intersection of US 2 and US 45 in Watersmeet, MI.

📷 Keweenaw National Historic Park