CADILLAC – With the summer recreation season now in full swing, those from the Huron-Manistee National Forests (HMNF) are reminding campers and other forest visitors to “plan ahead and prepare” and “know before you go,” so that their outdoor adventures are enjoyable.
The HMNF website has a page of facts just for camping, which lists the bare minimum that people need to know. To view the information, visit the website at fs.usda.gov/hmnf and click on the “Frequently Asked Questions” button.
In addition to this, representatives have shared the following reminders for responsible recreation, for those who will be spending time in the HMNF.
While most campgrounds are first-come, first-served, the HMNF have added more reservable campgrounds on Recreation.gov. “Twenty-five campgrounds have campsites that are reservable now through the online travel planning and reservation platform, allowing campers to reserve their favorite spots ahead of their upcoming summer travel,” says Forest Recreation Program Manager Nick Edington.
According to a recent press release from the HMNF, the convenience of a one stop shop for reservations is a plus to campers seeking highly sought-after campsites, as well as day use passes and watercraft permits.
A variety of online maps, which can be downloaded to one’s mobile device, are also available via the aforementioned HMNF website. This includes the Interactive Visitor Map, which links to other national forests and grasslands across the country.
There are also 14 free interactive recreation maps – such as the Motor-Vehicle Use Maps, which show roads, trails and designated areas open to motorized travel – available through Avenza Maps. The mobile device application allows people to skip the paper map and engage in a georeferenced mapping system, to track their travel on open roads and motorized trails.
“Always be aware of the rules designed to protect the Forests’ natural resources and to provide for the safety of visitors,” urged Edington, citing that these are posted at trailheads, campgrounds and online, under “Orders of the Forest Supervisor.” For instance, campsites and campfires are prohibited within 400 feet of the Lake Michigan shoreline and within 200 feet of any river, lake or stream. Dispersed camping is prohibited within 100 feet of a designated trail.
Visitors are also encouraged to pack the repellent, as ticks and mosquitos are the perfect vector to turn a trip to paradise into a miserable experience.
“Ticks and mosquitos can carry diseases that affect both humans and pets. It’s important that you factor in their presence when packing your gear,” Edington notes. “Brush up on your tick identification and removal techniques before you go camping and be sure to check and check often those key areas on your body to keep a tick from embedding.”
A reminder is also being shared that canine campers are always welcome on the HMNF, given that applicable rules are followed and proper etiquette is practiced. Michigan has a statewide requirement that all dogs must be kept on a leash when outside, including when recreating on public lands.
Further, pet parents are also advised to “pack out that poop” when on the trail. According to the HMNF, dog waste is bad for the environment, and needs to be bagged and disposed of properly.
The “Canine Camper” page of the HMNF website – fs.usda.gov/detail/hmnf/recreation/?cid=fseprd1150943 – features further tips to help forest guests and their pets have a safe and enjoyable outdoor experience.
In other recreation-related topics, the press release reads that paddlesports are a favorite pastime on the numerous rivers and lakes throughout the HMNF.
The Pine and Pere Marquette Congressionally Designated Wild and Scenic Rivers require watercraft permits for paddling, from the Friday before Memorial Day to Labor Day, annually. Watercraft permits are sold exclusively on Recreation.gov.
Personal flotation devices are also required, as part of the Michigan Department of Natural Resource’s (DNR) State Boating Laws. Along with boating, the HMNF also adhere to such DNR regulations as hunting, fishing and off-highway vehicle (OHV) use.
Fishing is a year-round activity in the HMNF. Whether lake and pond, or stream and river, they follow the DNR’s State Fishing Regulations, including those for size and quantity limits.
Anglers are asked to pack out any fishing filament that they find, as well as their trash. They should also be sure to clean their equipment before and after a trip, to help put a stop to invasive species. Representatives suggest keeping your boots, gear and pets free of weed seeds, plants and pests; washing your watercraft, vehicles and gear before entering and leaving a recreation site; staying on designated trails and roads; and gathering and using firewood locally.
Watercraft, boat trailers and watersports gear should be cleaned, drained and dried before traveling to the next destination, which is the best way to reduce the spread of aquatic invasive species.
In other tips, “Think like a firefighter when it comes to recreating,” says Forest Fire Prevention and Mitigation Specialist Debra-Ann Brabazon.
Twist those chains; check the tire pressure on your vehicles, OHVs, ATVs and trailers; and secure anything that can drag and cause sparking, she continued.
“Vegetation along roadways and trails tend to dry out faster and become easy fuel for wildfires sparked by dragging chains and under-inflated tires. One less spark is one less wildfire!” Brabazon states.
“Don’t forget to check those spark arrestors on chainsaws, all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles too,” she adds. “Mechanized equipment has hot exhaust systems and unburned carbon can create sparks that can ignite an unwanted wildfire. Parking in high growing vegetation can lead to a vehicle fire sparking a wildfire.”
Periodically, it is recommended to check the machine for grass and sticks lodged next to a hot engine or exhaust, which can ignite and lead to an equipment fire and, potentially, start a wildfire.
One rule of thumb, is to “know before you go.” Be aware of the current and forecasted weather conditions and fire danger, a few days in advance, by checking out the Great Lakes Fires And Fuels website at glff.mesowest.org, and the National Weather Service’s Fire Weather Report for the Michigan National Forests at weather.gov/apx/fire_Huron.
“Determine the fire weather conditions that may impact your trip and plan accordingly,” Brabazon says.
She adds that sometimes it’s better to just use a camp stove or lantern; however, if a person does have a campfire to be used as a warming or cooking fire, there are some tips to help keep that fire contained and controlled. For example, clear an area up to 10 feet in diameter around the fire circle, to remove any flammable materials. Also, be sure that overhead leaves or limbs have clearance and won’t ignite from the campfire’s convective heat. Check for roots in the fire circle, as well, since fire can travel underground through dead root systems, before reaching the surface and igniting a wildfire.
Keep your fire small, not tall, Brabazon also points out. “Your campfire should reflect the intent of the activity. Cooking and warming fires do not need to be big fires. You want to be able to safely navigate through cooking without risking any burns.
“Stay away from using flammable liquids, like gasoline, to start your fire,” she went on. “Invisible fumes travel along the ground and can be ignited, carrying fire into the wildland.”
Burning litter or other refuse in the fire pit, which can create toxic fumes and make people sick, is also discouraged.
Finally, campers are reminded to cool their coals. Allowing a fire to burn down to white ash and stirring the coals can release trapped heat that keeps campfires hot. Brabazon says to then follow the “drown, stir, feel, repeat” process, until the fire is dead out and cold to the touch. Popping, crackling and hissing indicate that the fire is still hot, and that one should continue to add water and stir until they can touch the coals with the back of their hand.
“It’s important to know that if you decide to go to bed, leave your campsite, or even ask a kid to watch your campfire, it is considered unattended,” she advised.
According to Brabazon, multiple medical studies discovered that unattended campfires are the leading cause of thermal burns for children ages 2-13 requiring trips to hospital emergency rooms – and, more often, burn units. “Remember…if it is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave.”
As noted in the press release, the HMNF strive to help guests make the best of their time outdoors, by sharing the most current information via the HMNF social media posts on Facebook and X, as well as by updating the website and linking their campfire safety to Smokey Bear’s How-To page (smokeybear.com/en/prevention-how-tos/campfire-safety).
