Hiawatha National Forest
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Hiawatha National Forest is a National Forest in the Upper Peninsula of the state of Michigan in the United States. It covers 880,000 acres (3,600 km²) and contains 6 designated wilderness areas. Commercial logging is conducted in some areas. It is divided into two forest areas, Eastside and Westside.
Eastside was a large infertile sandy area that was never homesteaded or developed. It was designated Marquette National Forest by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1909. This land was administered with Huron National Forest as the Michigan National Forest from 1918 intil 1962, when it was transferred to Hiawatha. The forest was authorized to buy an additional 307,000 acres (1,240 km²) in 1925 and 50,000 acres (200 km²) in 1935. Westside began being purchased in 1928 and was designated Hiawatha National Forest in 1931. This unit was extensively replanted by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
The forest has over 100 miles (160 km) of shoreline. Both east and west units have shoreline on both Lake Superior and Lake Michigan; the east unit also has shoreline on Lake Huron and includes Round Island. The west unit borders Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Grand Island National Recreation Area, which are administered by the National Park Service and Forest Service respectivly.
Several lighthouses are located along the shores. The North Country Trail passes through the forest.
