Au Sable State Forest, State forest in northern Michigan, United States.
Au Sable State Forest is a large woodland in north-central Michigan made up of pine stands, wetlands, and a network of lakes and rivers. The Au Sable River system runs through much of the area, linking water routes with stretches of land open for outdoor use.
In the late 1800s, Michigan went through a period of heavy logging that stripped large areas of their tree cover and left the land without commercial use. The state forest was established on those cleared lands to bring the area back into use for nature and recreation.
The Mason Chapel in the Mason Tract is a small building that has served as a gathering spot for anglers and outdoor visitors for generations. Stopping by gives a sense of how deeply fishing and river life are woven into the daily habits of people in this part of Michigan.
The forest has campsites for tents and small trailers, as well as spots along the Au Sable River that can only be reached by canoe. Anyone planning to explore the more remote parts should check access conditions in advance, since some areas are only reachable by water.
The Dead Stream Swamp is one of the few intact freshwater forest swamps in the country and has been recognized as a nationally important natural area. Walking through this part of the forest, visitors can spot plant and bird species that are rarely found in such good condition elsewhere.
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