Explore the Huron-Manistee National Forest on a Wildlife Viewing Tour

It’s always fun to take a walk on the wild side. In this case, it’s a drive as you guide your own way through the Huron-Manistee National Forest. With over 400 known species of birds and 200 other species of wildlife, you are in one of the country’s best locations for wildlife viewing as well as one of the region’s most scenic places to explore. Pack a picnic and your birder’s manual and plan your outdoor excursion into the wild today!

Head into the wilderness this spring and the western most reaches of the Huron-Manistee National Forest for a self-guided wildlife tour. While you may not catch sight of all 600 of the forest’s diverse species, the Jack Pine Wildlife Viewing Tour is a self-guided, 58-mile auto tour of the Mio section of the Huron half of Michigan’s National Forest that is a can’t-miss adventure for any nature and outdoor enthusiast. It includes a variety of wildlife but most importantly features the endangered Kirtland’s warbler. Along the way, take advantage of the stops at recreation areas for scenic views of the Au Sable River. These are great spots for a light picnic.

Interpretive signs along the way also discuss management ethics and strategies for keeping this endangered species safe, especially during their nesting season. Maps for the self-guided Jack Pine Wildlife Viewing Tour are available at the Mio Ranger Station. Visit the website for more information and to learn about the Kirtland’s warbler’s natural habitat in Michigan.

Mio Ranger Station

107 McKinley Road

Mio, MI 48647

(989) 826-3252