This Is Michigan’s Most Magnificent National Forest 

Do you believe in fairy tales? They say that fairy tales are not real, but I disagree: Some places in Michigan easily qualify as otherworldly in their beauty. They are fairy-tale perfect in every way, offering incredibly photogenic sights and views you probably wouldn't anticipate seeing all the way up here in the Midwest. But it's here, ours, and it's to die for. Michigan is beautiful beyond words, and its forests are perfect proof.

Let's take a moment to appreciate one of the most beautiful places in Michigan: Hiawatha National Forest, a place of dreams located in the Upper Peninsula. To say it's "magical" is to understate things a smidge.

It's positively otherworldly.

Consisting of nearly 895,000 acres of Michigan's most beautiful landscape, Hiawatha National Forest is a swath of wilderness worthy of a Bob Ross painting, like something out of a dream. The list of features this forest has is seemingly endless: waterfalls, beaches, woodlands, lakes, old-growth forest - the list is as expansive as the forest itself.

Hiawatha National Forest is home to an astonishing number of critters; you can spot moose, timber wolves, eagles, bobcats, lynx, birds of prey, and so much more.

This adds to the wonder of the entire experience, and you can even reach points so quiet and tranquil that you'll feel as if you've wandered into the middle of the wilderness. I suppose that, in a way, you have - but be sure to bring your fully-charged phone with you so you don't get lost for real.

Of all the endless features I could list about this forest, my favorite part is the waterfalls. There are numerous small, seasonal falls that show up after rain or snowmelt, but there are two famous waterfalls within the forest: Munising Falls, at 50 feet tall, and Miners Falls, at 40 feet tall. Of all the jaw-dropping waterfalls in Michigan, two of 'em happen to be right here. How special!

My other favorite aspect of this incredible Michigan forest is the beaches! You read that right - beaches: With over 100 miles of shoreline between Lake Michigan and Lake Superior, this incredible swath of land is nothing short of pure perfection for nature lovers.

The hits keep coming, and each one further proves the incredible world of Michigan's wilderness. Lovers of the great outdoors will never regret a trip out to Hiawatha National Forest; it's one of the most amazing places on the planet, and we're lucky to call it all ours.

For more information about the incredible Hiawatha National Forest, visit the official U.S. Forest Service website. Planning to visit and need a place to sleep? Check out the incredible options from our friends at VRBO.