Owasippe Scout Reservation

Owasippe Scout Reservation is a 4,800-acre property next to Manistee National Forest with multiple lakes and extensive trail networks for outdoor activities. The reservation operates three main camps - Camp Blackhawk, Camp Wolverine, and Camp Reneker - offering accommodations and programs for different age groups year-round.

The land began as Camp White in 1911, starting with just 40 acres on Crystal Lake before expanding significantly. It has grown to become the oldest continuously operating Scout camp in the entire country.

The land around the Scout camps shows signs of its earlier inhabitants through discovered canoes, arrowheads, and pottery scattered near Silver Creek. These artifacts connect visitors to the Native American communities that once thrived here.

The reservation is open year-round with peak activity during summer months, situated near Manistee National Forest for easy access to trails. Visitors should come prepared for variable weather and wear sturdy footwear since most activities happen outdoors.

The property preserves numerous ancient burial mounds and archaeological sites hidden throughout the grounds beneath modern camp facilities. This layering of recent Scout history with centuries-old Native American presence creates an unusual coexistence of two very different worlds.

Location: Michigan

GPS coordinates: 43.39720,-86.27920

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:29