Alcona County offers many unique “natural” experiences and public land managed by the United States Forest Service is open to anyone. Please remember to take only photographs and leave only footprints when visiting these beautiful natural places. Reid Lake Foot Travel Area “A back-country recreation experience within a working forest environment.”  The Reid Lake Area is relatively small, encompassing only 3,000 acres. Twelve miles of gently rolling trail will lead you around Reid Lake, once part of a northern Michigan farm. If you are interested in spending an hour to an afternoon in the forest, without facing too great a physical test, this is the area for you. In winter, the ski trails are easily negotiated by a beginning skier, with enough rolling terrain to please even the more advanced skier.

Access: Reid Lake is located in the central portion of Alcona County, Michigan. From Harrisville, take M-72 west 19 miles, and from Mio take M-72 east 31 miles to the parking lot and trailhead.  Fees: Reid Lake is a fee area. A Huron-Manistee vehicle pass or Interagency Recreation pass is required. A Few Rules: Sorry, but saddle, pack, draft animals, bicycles and motorized vehicles are not allowed within this area. Camping is allowed at designated campsites or 200 feet away from the trail, water or wetlands. Do not leave your fire unattended.  Hunting and Fishing: Hunting and fishing are permitted in season with proper licenses. All Michigan DNR regulations apply. When hunting, observe all the rules of safety. For more up-to-date information, contact: Huron-Manistee National Forests, 1755 S. Mitchell St. Cadillac, Mich. 49601, (800) 821-6263. On the Web at: www.fs.fed.us/r9/hmnf. Hoist Lakes Foot Travel Area Hoist Lakes encompasses over 10,000 acres of pine, aspen and hardwoods forests. The area is large enough to challenge any back-country enthusiast. There are over 20 miles of trails winding through small pothole lakes and areas of beaver flooding, as well over and around hills and ridges. The Hoist Lakes Area is for people who desire a longer walk or ski, and is ideal for a backpacking trip of two days to a week. Most of the cross-country ski trails have been designated with the more experienced skier in mind. Longer loops and steeper hills offer an exciting challenge in beautiful surroundings. Watch for white-tailed deer, black bear, raccoon, red fox, coyote, beaver, otter, mink, badger, skunks and squirrels.  Access: Hoist Lakes has an east and west entry points. The east parking area is five miles north of Glennie, Mich. on M-65. To access the west parking area: from Glennie travel 2.75 miles west on Bamfield Road, turn north on Au Sable Road. Travel north seven miles to Aspen Alley Road. Travel north 1.75 miles to the parking area. Fees: Hoist Lakes is a fee area. A Huron-Manistee vehicle pass or Interagency Recreation pass is required. A Few Rules: Sorry, but saddle, pack, draft animals, bicycles and motorized vehicles are not allowed within this area. Camping is allowed at designated campsites or 200 feet away from the trail, water or wetlands. Do not leave your fire unattended. Hunting and Fishing: Hunting and fishing are permitted in season with proper licenses. All Michigan DNR regulations apply. When hunting, observe all the rules of safety. For more up-to-date information, contact: Huron-Manistee National Forests, 1755 S. Mitchell St. Cadillac, Mich. 49601, (800) 821-6263. On the Web at: www.fs.fed.us/r9/hmnf

Jewell Lake Jewell Lake Campground is located on the east side of Jewell Lake. This lake offers a wide variety of fishing and boating opportunities. A one mile hiking trail is located off the beach area and a snowmobile trail runs through the area during the winter months. Jewell Lake Campground is ideal for the nature lover who enjoys wildlife and privacy. Location: Jewell Lake Campground is located in Alcona County, Michigan. The nearest community is Barton City, about one mile northwest.

Access: From Harrisville, travel west on M-72 for 14.5 miles. Turn north on Sanborn Road for two miles. Finally, turn left on Forest Service Road 4601. From the west, starting at M-65 and M-72 junction, travel east on M-72 for eight miles. Turn north on Sanborn Road for two miles. Finally, turn left on Forest Service Road 4601. Facilities available: 32 gravel parking spurs and interior road; 32 fire rings; 32 picnic tables; four pit toilet buildings; two vault toilet buildings; two water faucets; two picnic grills, tables and parking; boat landing; sand beach; Jewell Lake Hiking Trail and Snowmobile Trail. Season: The season is from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend. However, the area may be opened earlier and/or closed later depending on use. Fees: For the latest information regarding fees and condition of the facility, contact the Ranger Station at Huron Shores, 5761 N. Skeel Road, Oscoda, Mich. 48750. (989) 739-0728. Considerations: Care should be taken to keep the area clean and in the condition it was found, so visitors are asked to please pack out what they pack in.  Horseshoe Lake Horseshoe Lake Campground is a small, secluded campground positioned on beautiful Horseshoe Lake. This small lake offers a variety of fishing opportunities as it contains hybrid sunfish (bluegill) and large mouth bass. The one mile walk around the north end of the lake provides many opportunities to see beaver, deer and other wildlife. A scenic view of the lake and campground may be enjoyed from the west side. Location: Horseshoe Lake Campground is located in Alcona County, Michigan. The nearest community is Glennie, about four miles southeast. Access: From the north, travel south on M-65 about four miles from its junction with M-72, then right on forest Road 4124 approximately one mile to the site. Facilities available: Nine gravel parking spurs; nine fire rings; nine picnic tables; two vault toilets; water faucet; boat landing; gravel interior road. Season: The season is from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend. However, the area may be opened earlier and/or closed later depending on use. Fees: For the latest information regarding the campground concessionaire, fees and condition of the facility, contact the Ranger Station at Huron Shores (989) 739-0728. Considerations: Care should be taken to keep the area clean and in the condition it was found, so visitors are asked to please pack out what they pack in. Pine River Pine River Campground offers a variety of recreation opportunities such as hunting, picnicking, mushroom gathering and berry picking. Fishing for steelhead and trout is also popular in this area. This beautiful campground is located on the south branch of the Pine River and allows families to experience and enjoy nature. This area is also a prime location for viewing habitat for the endangered Kirtland’s warbler songbird. Location: Pine River Campground is located in Alcona County, Michigan. The nearest community is Glennie, about 9.5 miles west. Access: From the west, leave M-65 at Glennie and follow F-30 east about nine miles to Rearing Pond Trail (Forest Road 4121). Turn south and travel two miles to the entrance. From the east, from Mikado, travel west on F-30 about eight miles to Rearing Pond Trail (Forest Road 4121). Turn south and travel two miles to the entrance. Facilities available: Eleven graveled parking spurs and interior road; eleven fire rings; eleven picnic tables; two pit toilet buildings; water faucet; picnic shelter with grill, tables and parking. Season: The season is from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend. However, the area may be opened earlier and/or closed later depending on use. For the latest information on the campground or concessionaire, please contact the Ranger Station at Huron Shores. Fees: For the latest information regarding fees and condition of the facility, contact the Ranger Station at Huron Shores (989) 739-0728. Considerations: Care should be taken to keep the area clean and in the condition it was found, so visitors are asked to please pack out what they pack in.