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Park Activities
Park Activities
Biking

  • Backcountry camping

    Follow "Leave No Trace​" guidelines!

    Camp 1/4 mile from the trailhead and 100 feet from trails, lakes, steams and bodies of water.

    Fires are only allowed in designated fire rings, therefore no backcountry fires are allowed!​

    A park pass is required for vehicles parked anywhere in the park.
    (Updated: 11/20/2017 4:14 PM)

  • Biking

    There are miles of great trails throughout the park. Bicycles are prohibited above treeline and on the Lake Agnes trail.
    (Updated: 5/7/2017 2:01 PM)

  • Birding

    Birds that frequent our feeders are Steller's Jays, Gray Jays ("campground robbers"), Mountain and Black-capped Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatches, Red-winged and Yellow headed blackbirds, Pine Siskins, House Finches, Gold Finches, Brown-capped Rosy Finches,​ Cassin's finces, Green-tailed Towhee, White-crowned Sparrows, Gray-headed/Dark-eyed Juncos ​and Pine Grosbeaks in the winter. In the summer we also have the Broad-tail, Rufous, Black-chin and Calliope Hummingbirds. 


    (Updated: 11/24/2018 3:03 PM)

  • Boating

    ​Lakes are closed to boating

    Boats are only allowed on the North Michigan Rservoir and only at wakeless speeds

    Please call the park at 970-723-8366 with any questions.
    (Updated: 10/10/2018 9:38 AM)

  • Cabins and Yurts

    North Michigan Reservoir has 6 cabins available. 2 larger in size that can accomodate parties of 10 or more. 

    North Park Campground has 2 deluxe cabins that are available for reservations during the summer months. ​It also has 7 rustic cabins available for reservations

    All reservations can be made through Aspira by calling

     1-800-244-5613​. Or go on to cpwshop.com to make reservations or purchase cpw items. 

    Never Summer Nordic has 8 yurts and 2 huts available throughout the park. For yurt reservations and informations, visit the Never Summer Nordic website

    Cabin check-in time is after 2:00 PM of the arrival date so that our maintenance crew can clean the cabins. Check-out time is 12:00 PM.

    A valid parks pass is required on each vehicle staying at both the cabins and yurts.

    (Updated: 1/14/2019 11:46 AM)

  • Camping

    There are over 200 campsites through out the park including full-hookup, electric, primitive, and basic campgrounds.

    Reservations can be made 6 months in advance online, or by calling 1-800-244-5613​. The State Forest offers 5 campgrounds as well as first-come-first-serve primitive campsites.  

    (Updated: 11/24/2018 10:15 AM)

  • Cross-country Skiing

    There are miles of marked trails. Many unmarked areas available. The Gould Loop trail is groomed. Check with the Moose Visitor Center for current conditions in the winter.
    (Updated: 11/24/2018 3:43 PM)

  • Dog-friendly

    ​Pets need a vacation too! Just be sure to keep them on a leash (6ft or shorter) for their protection as well as for the wildlife, and to properly dispose of all waste. Pets are allowed in our cabins for an extra fee of $10.00 per night.

    (Updated: 5/7/2017 2:04 PM)

  • Education Programs

    Come out and enjoy State Forest State Park and learn about everything this place has to offer. 

    Interpretive programs are provided every weekend Memorial Day through Labor Day. ​

    ​We have activity backpacks you can check out for FREE at the front desk of the Moose Visitor Center with tools to explore the park. 

    Don't forget to ask about our Junior Ranger Program! 

    Call the Moose Visitor Center for updates on other events                                       (970) 723-8366

    (Updated: 9/14/2018 12:00 PM)

  • Equipment Rental

    GPS rentals are available at the Moose Visitor Center for $10.00 a day. 

    Snowshoe rentals are available at the Moose Visitor Center for $5.00 a day.
    (Updated: 11/20/2017 4:15 PM)

  • Fishing

    State Forest State Park features brook, brown, cutthroat and rainbow trout. In alpine lakes, only artificial fly and lure fishing are permitted. North Michigan Reservoir and Ranger Lakes are both open to bait use. Fly-fishing is accessible and abundant along the Canadian River, and the North and Middle Forks of the Michigan River.​

    Common catches have been;
    Rainbow @ North Michigan 
    Rainbow @ Ranger Lakes
    Cutthroat @ Lake Agnes
    Cutthroat @ Kelly Lake


    The statewide trout bag limit is four fish per day with a possession limit of eight. In the alpine lakes, bag and possession limit for trout is two fish and is flies and artificial lures only.​

    (Updated: 11/21/2018 12:26 PM)

  • Geocaching

    ​See our geocaching page​ for more details

    There are 13 geocaches in the State Forest State Park. Five of these serve as all season caches. GPS units are available to rent from the Moose Visitor Center.

    Stop by the Visitor Center to learn more, get a pamphlet and GPS.
    (Updated: 11/24/2018 3:15 PM)

  • Hiking

    Miles of hiking trails are available on the State Forest State Park in the summer and winter months. Check our conditions page for current information.
    (Updated: 5/7/2017 2:07 PM)

  • Horseback Riding

    The Kelly Lake trail and the Clear Lake trail make excellent destinations for horseback riders. Horses are not allowed inside the campgrounds, or on the Lake Agnes trail. We offer horse corrals at the Bockman Campground and at the Closure. 

    ​Red Feather Guides offers horseback riding opportunities (970) 723-4204, www.redfeatheroutfitters.com
    (Updated: 5/7/2017 2:07 PM)

  • Hunting

    Hunting is allowed in the State Forest State Park. A hunting brochure for the area can be found on the Publications page.


    Game Management Units 6 and 171 are within the park. 


    Contact the following for guided hunts:​​


    2018 Big Game hunts are over in these units


    Several small game seasons are still ongoing on park​​​

    (Updated: 11/24/2018 11:20 AM)

  • Ice Fishing

    Ice fishing in State Forest is excellent during the winter months. Please take additional care when going out on the ice and make sure to double check the ice levels before venturing out. We do not check ice levels on a regular basis here at the park.

    (Updated: 6/20/2018 9:24 AM)

  • OHV Riding

    OHV Registrations or Permits are required on all OHV's being ridden in the park.

    There are over 80 miles of trails available and open to OHV's. We highly suggest taking it easy if you are a novice on a machine. Motorized vehicles must remain on designated roads and OHVs are not allowed in the campgrounds except to enter and exit each campsite.
    (Updated: 7/2/2017 9:48 AM)

  • Picnicking

    There are a few picnic tables located across from the Lake Agnes turnoff on Hwy 14, some at Ranger Lakes day-use area, and some are located at the Nature Trail on County Road 41. Picnic tables are also located at the Visitor Center. During the winter months accessibility will depend on current weather conditions.
    (Updated: 5/7/2017 2:32 PM)

  • Sledding

    There are countless areas in the park that are perfect for sledding from late October to early May
    (Updated: 6/21/2018 2:38 PM)

  • Snowmobiling

    The State Forest offers approximately 70 miles of groomed trails. Snow conditions permitting, we open trails for Snowmobiles Mid-November. 
    Along with groomed trails, riders can enjoy hillclimbs, meadows, and above treeline areas throughout the park.​

    Please be sure to have your snowmobile registered with a valid permit before going out.

    Parking trailers in the park requires a day pass.
    (Updated: 11/24/2018 3:46 PM)

  • Snowshoeing

    Many areas available for snowshoeing through snow covered forests. The Gould Loop, Grass Creek and The Loops Trails are groomed. Make sure you ask the front desk about Snow Shoe Rentals if you forgot yours at home. Only $5.00 a day! 
    (Updated: 11/20/2017 3:39 PM)

  • Snowtubing

    There are many hills on the park that are great for tubing!
    (Updated: 11/9/2016 2:54 PM)

  • Wildlife Viewing

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    Wildlife abounds in the State Forest. Moose, Elk, Deer, Bear, Marmot, Pine Marten, Badger, Rabbit, Weasel, Eagle, Hawk, Owl, and an abundant songbird population as well as those wonderful little Broad-tail, Rufous, Black- chinned, and Calliope Hummingbirds.

    (Updated: 12/3/2018 11:31 AM)

  • Winter Activities

    Every winter we have our Moonlight Open House which we encourage all to come and check out. We light up the Gould Loop just outside the Moose Visitor Center so that visitors can snowshoe or cross country ski the trail at night. The Chocolate Cabin 3/4 mile down the loop is stocked with cookies and hot chocolate. 

    We ask participants to bring a food dish for the 'potluck' dinner that coincides with the beginning of the event.​

    2019 Full Moon Open House Dates are: 

    January 19th, 2019

    February 16th, 2019

    Any questions regarding dates and other information call the Visitor Center at (970) 723 8366.

    (Updated: 9/14/2018 11:59 AM)

  • Winter Camping

    We have a few sites available near North Michigan Reservoir spillway (sites 201, 202, and 205) that are plowed in the winter months and three sites (sites 15-17) at North Park. We have six cabins available all year on the reservoir, and seven more at North Park; During this time of the year expect plenty of snow and rather cold evenings so please come prepared. As always call the Moose Visitor Center (970) 723 8366 with any questions.  

    (Updated: 1/14/2019 11:48 AM)

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