Things to Do in Ottawa National Forest

Ottawa National Forest offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including hiking, road cycling, and touring cycling. The forest features over 196 miles of trails and numerous roads suitable for exploration. Komoot users have contributed 24 routes across these sports.

Yes, Ottawa National Forest provides an extensive network of over 196 miles of hiking and backpacking trails suitable for various skill levels. These include segments of the North Country National Scenic Trail. For easier options, explore Easy hikes in Ottawa National Forest.

The forest is characterized by rolling, forest-covered hills, over 500 named lakes, nearly 2,000 miles of rivers and streams, and 18 named waterfalls. Notable features include the Black River Harbor waterfalls, Bond Falls, and wilderness areas like Sylvania and Sturgeon River Gorge.

Ottawa National Forest is known for its waterfalls. The Black River Harbor features a series of cascades, and Bond Falls has a 40-foot drop. Other prominent waterfalls include O Kun de Kun Falls, Agate Falls, Potawatomi Falls, Gorge Falls, and Sandstone Falls. A guide to Waterfall hikes in Ottawa National Forest is available.

Yes, Ottawa National Forest offers opportunities for both road and mountain biking. Many miles of roads crisscross the forest, ideal for road and touring cyclists. Most of the National Forest, excluding designated wilderness areas and hiker-only trails, is open to mountain bikes. Guides for Road Cycling Routes in Ottawa National Forest and Cycling in Ottawa National Forest are available.

Ottawa National Forest contains several wilderness areas. These include Sylvania Wilderness, known for its pristine lakes and old-growth forests; Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness, featuring a deep gorge and Sturgeon Falls; and McCormick Wilderness, a 17,000-acre expanse of dense forests and rocky cliffs.

The forest is rich in wildlife, offering opportunities to spot bald eagles, loons, osprey, black bears, white-tailed deer, and gray wolves. Its diverse flora includes northern hardwoods, coniferous trees, and unique carnivorous pitcher plants in its wetlands.

Ottawa National Forest is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 1,000 visitors sharing their experiences. The 24 available routes have an average rating of 4.79 out of 5 stars, indicating high user satisfaction.

Komoot offers several guides for Ottawa National Forest, including Hiking in Ottawa National Forest, Easy hikes in Ottawa National Forest, and Waterfall hikes in Ottawa National Forest. Cycling guides include Road Cycling Routes in Ottawa National Forest and Cycling in Ottawa National Forest.

The official website for Ottawa National Forest is www.fs.usda.gov/ottawa. For general inquiries, the Supervisor's Office can be reached at 906-932-1330. The Ottawa Visitor Center's phone number is 906-358-4724.

Yes, Ottawa National Forest includes segments of the North Country National Scenic Trail, which offers opportunities for long-distance hiking and backpacking. The forest's extensive network of over 196 miles of trails supports multi-day excursions.