Hiawatha National Forest, National forest in Michigan, United States

Hiawatha National Forest is a United States National Forest in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, divided into two units, East and West. The East Unit covers about 44% of the forest, while the West Unit covers about 56%, and both have shoreline on Lake Superior and Lake Michigan.

The East Unit was designated Marquette National Forest in 1909 and later became part of Hiawatha in 1962. The West Unit was established as Hiawatha National Forest in 1931 and was extensively replanted by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

The forest's name comes from the Mohawk chief Hiawatha, who helped form the Iroquois Confederacy and is also the hero of Longfellow's poem. Visitors can see this heritage reflected in local place names and in the Point Iroquois Light, which now serves as a museum.

The forest is spread across a large area, so plan your visit around specific sections like the East Unit near Sault Ste. Marie or the West Unit near Munising. Many trailheads and campgrounds are accessible by car, but some remote areas require a short walk or a high-clearance vehicle.

The forest includes six designated wilderness areas and five National Wild and Scenic Rivers, offering rare chances to see untouched landscapes. It also has over 100 miles of shoreline, with parts on three Great Lakes: Superior, Michigan, and Huron.