Visit One Of Michigan’s 12 Stunning Old Growth Forests

Looking at a map of Michigan, the first thing you'll notice is the number of forests around the state. Over half of the state is covered in forests, with 45% of the forests located in the Upper Peninsula despite the UP only being 29% of Michigan's land mass.

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I grew up on the edge of a forest and always enjoyed hiking through the woods and seeing the deer and squirrels doing their, well, animal thing. But despite the large number of forests throughout the state, there are a select few old-growth forests still in the state that offer a unique look into the past and make for the best hikes.

Old Growth Forests

What makes an old-growth forest special rather than just another forest? Well, unlike many of the forests around the country, these forests have never been subject to the lumber industry and many of the trees have been around for hundreds of years. These trees tend to be significantly larger than others due to the time they've had to grow.

Sadly, less than 5% of the forests in the country are old-growth, making them a rarity. Having 12 old-growth forests in our state is a luxury. These forests have remained undisturbed for hundreds of years, allowing them to develop ecosystems that are uniquely adapted to these old forests.

This makes them must-visit places to hike. These are the 12 old-growth forests you could visit in Michigan.