McCormick Wilderness

McCormick Wilderness is a protected forest area in Michigan covering about 16,850 acres shaped by lakes and diverse tree growth. Eighteen small lakes dot the landscape alongside northern hardwood forests, lowland conifers, and white pine stands scattered across the rolling terrain.

The land belonged to the McCormick family for three generations, descended from Cyrus McCormick who invented the reaping machine. Gordon McCormick eventually transferred the property to the Forest Service, converting it into a protected refuge.

The land takes its name from the McCormick family, who maintained a private estate here that now exists only as ruins visible to visitors. The area reflects how people historically lived and worked within this remote forest landscape.

Trails throughout the area receive little maintenance and require solid navigation skills and reliable maps or digital tools to stay on course. Taking time to learn the terrain before attempting longer routes helps ensure a safer, more comfortable experience.

The Yellow Dog River flows through the area creating several waterfalls that make certain sections impossible to navigate by water. These cascading falls shape dramatic sections of the landscape and naturally limit how visitors can explore this waterway.

Location: Michigan

Operator: United States Forest Service

Website: https://fs.usda.gov/recarea/ottawa/recarea/?recid=12361

GPS coordinates: 46.68440,-88.00220

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:05