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The unit encompasses approximately 279,000 acres of State-owned land within a four county region: Crawford, Oscoda, Alcona, and the north half of Iosco Counties. You can reach the Unit Manager, Susan Thiel at 989-348-6371 - or send an email to her at DNR-Grayling-FMU@michigan.gov.
What Forest Management Activities are Occurring?
Approved Annual Forest Management Plans
Forest management activities may begin as early as the year listed on the approved plan (Year-of Entry/YOE), and will be carried out during the 10-year period that follows.
Planning Currently Underway
Local
Open House for Public Comment on Annual Forest Management Plans
2010 YOE State Forest Compartment Reviews Schedule
The Grayling Unit's open house for 2010 Year Of Entry (YOE) will be held on October 15, 2008 with the compartment review on November 6, 2008.
Regional
Statewide
Informational Documents
Unit staff are tasked with management activities on state forest lands, wildfire protection on all ownerships across the unit, and administration of an extensive motorized recreational trail system in the four counties. Central headquarters for the unit is located at the Grayling Field Office, with satellite offices located in the communities of Mio and Lincoln. The Area is unique in many respects. It
contains the entire watercourse of the Au Sable River, a designated natural river and a nationally recognized trout stream. It also contains the headwaters area of the Upper Manistee River, another blue ribbon trout stream and designated Natural River.
The Unit contains a wide variety of forest types, ranging from northern hardwoods to oak, aspen, and jack pine plains. Vast portions of the unit are covered by nearly continuous jack pine forests, making the area especially vulnerable to wildfires.
 Crawford County was home to the famous Stephan Bridge fire in 1990. This fire burned 5,916 acres in less than five hours, wiping out homes and causing $5.5 million in damage.
 This combination of jack pine forests and repeated fires helped establish the area as prime nesting habitat for the endangered Kirtland's Warbler. As a result, over 54,000 acres of land have been set aside in the Unit to be managed specifically for this tiny bird's nesting habitat.
One feature that distinguishes the Unit is that it is home to Camp Grayling, training grounds for the National Guard.  Some type of Military use agreement affects 47% of the total acres in the Unit. Crawford County contains approximately 132,000 acres of Camp Grayling National Guard Camp on which the DNR manages the surface resources. Within those 132,000 acres, the Military has leased approximately 53,000 acres in perpetuity from the State of Michigan (i.e.; long-term lease lands) for training purposes. Approximately 20,000 more acres in Crawford County are under a short-term lease agreement, which is reviewed and renewed every ten years. The remaining lands are either part of the initial Hanson gift that established the camp, were purchased with Military Board funding, or ownership was transferred from the state of Michigan to Department of Military Affairs via a deed transfer. While the Military does not have absolute control over this entire acreage (specifically short-term lease lands), they do exert a significant influence on the management practices. Click here for a map showing military lands
The Grayling FMU has a very active forest management program largely due to the fact it contains large acreages of forested lands that are centrally located near several wood mills. Harvests ranging from clearcuts of jack pine and aspen forests to thinning of oak and hardwood stands occur year around to regenerate stagnating forests and wildlife habitat while simultaneously providing wood products and commodities for public use. Averages of 4000-5000 acres are treated annually via some type of harvest and regeneration activity.
The Grayling FMU is heavily involved with recreational management: The unit contains 19 State Forest Campgrounds, including 3 horse trail camps and several canoe campgrounds. The Shore-to-Shore Riding and Hiking Trail traverses the unit, connecting three trail campgrounds.
Snowmobiling is of great economic importance to the area, having approximately 165 miles of groomed snowmobile trails. The Unit also contains approximately 321 miles of ORV trail, 22 miles of ORV routes, and 89 miles of MCCCT trail. It contains several hiking and cross-country ski trails, including the Mason Tract Pathway and a portion of the Midland to Mackinaw Hiking Trail. The Grayling Area offers hundreds of acres of diverse wildlife habitat, creating wonderful hunting and trapping opportunities for deer, grouse, turkey, bear, and small game. The unit also contains many informal access points along the two river corridors, providing multiple access opportunities for fishing, canoeing, swimming, and other river recreation. Fishing opportunities abound with multiple quality trout streams, inland lakes, and access to Lake Huron.
The Grayling FMU is home to the following unique management areas:
 DeWard Tract: The DeWard tract is a 4,720 acre special management area located in Antrim, Crawford, Kalkaska, and Otsego Counties. Plagued by damage from motorized vehicles, this special area was designated in 1980 to protect the Upper Manistee River Corridor. Today lush vegetation and wildlife in the area attribute to the success of the protection measures put in place. A majority of the Tract (2,470 acres) is managed by the Grayling FMU. Access is restricted in the area to protect the Upper Manistee River corridor and to provide a "quality" fishing experience. Camping is limited to within 50 feet of roads posted as open to protect this sensitive river corridor. The area encompasses the site of the historic lumbering village of DeWard. It also contains the only Pine Stump Preserve in Michigan. In 1958 an area of 42.5 acres was dedicated as a Pine Stump Preserve in efforts to protect evidence of the early logging efforts in Michigan. Several foot access sites are maintained throughout the DeWard Tract providing user access to the river.
 Hanson Game Refuge: The Hanson Refuge is a tract of approximately 20,000 acres located in southwest Crawford County. Deed restrictions have designated these lands as a "game preserve", deeming them as closed to hunting and trapping.The Hanson Refuge is also home to Hanson Hills Recreational Area. Managed by the Crawford County Recreational Authority, Hanson Hills provides an extensive cross-country ski and mountain bike trail system, as well as downhill skiing and other recreational trail programs. The DNR manages the surface resources of Hanson lands; hence management efforts have to be closely coordinated to minimize impact on these areas' recreational trails and activities. Map of the Hanson Refuge
The Beal Plantation: The Beal Plantation is possibly the oldest known plantation in North America. Professor Beal planted over 5,000 trees of 76 species in 1888. The plantation is home to multiple research activities. A parking lot was developed along with an ADA accessible interpretive trail in year 2000, highlighting the unique features of the plantation. For detailed directions to the Beal Plantation, visit http://www.grayling-mi.com/attractions.html#historical
Mason Tract: A 4,493 acre special management area along the South Branch of the AuSable River designed to protect the quality fishing waters of this area. The Mason Tract originated from acceptance of a 1500-acre gift from The George Mason family in 1954. Over time, additional acreage has been acquired from the US Forest Service and private individuals through land exchanges. The Mason gift was contingent the area be used as a permanent game preserve, no part shall ever be sold by the state, and no camping be allowed in the area for 25 years. The State of Michigan has continued the no camping restriction in the Mason Tract. The only camping allowed is within Canoe Harbor State Forest Campground, located at the north end of the Tract on the AuSable River. The Mason Tract offers quality fishing, hunting, and canoeing opportunities. The Mason Tract is home to the pristine Mason Chapel. The Mason Family constructed the Chapel in 1960 to provide fishermen with a place of reverence and has developed into a popular tourist attraction. The Mason Tract also contains the Mason Tract Pathway, which is used for hiking and cross-country skiing. Mountain biking on the Mason Tract Pathway is prohibited via a Director's Order. Mason Tract Map
Pine Barrens Area: The Grayling Unit currently has two areas designated for Pine Barrens management. Pine Barrens is currently a rare ecosystem that is typically inhabited by many threatened and endangered species. It occurs in jack pine forests frequented by fire. In 1997, DNR staff worked to develop a management plan for the 1,400-acre "Frost Pocket" Pine Barrens area in Oscoda County. The "Frost Pocket" is one of the purest Pine Barrens systems remaining in Michigan. A detailed plan of timber harvesting and regular prescribed burning was outlined to restore this rare ecosystem. To date, active management and regular burns have occurred in the "frost pocket". Most recently, a plan was developed to restore an additional 5,120 acres of pine barrens identified in Crawford County. This area occurs within Camp Grayling; so extensive planning with the National Guard has occurred. The "North Camp Grayling Pine Barrens Management Plan" has been completed and is awaiting approval of the National Guard and DNR Divisions before prescribed harvesting and burning practices are instituted.
Dyer Red Pine Proposed Natural Area: A small parcel proposed as a natural area as it contains some remnant old growth red pine. For more information click here
Partnerships on the Grayling FMU: The Grayling FMU is part of multiple partnerships, helping to make many projects possible. Below are a few examples:
 Cooperative efforts with local RC&D and SCD Offices, the AuSable River Restoration Committee, the Upper Manistee River Restoration Committee, and various Trout Unlimited Chapters have allowed restoration of many erosion sites along waterways.
In year 2000, many of these partners worked on a woody debris project, involving harvesting of whole trees, including roots, and placing them by helicopter along crucial stretches of the AuSable River in an effort to improve river habitat. This project was so successful; this type of restoration is being extended along other stretches of the Au Sable and Manistee Rivers.
Hartwick Pines State Park: Grayling FMU staff regularly work with park staff providing forestry expertise and assisting with the park's annual Forest Fest celebration.
 The Mason Tract Northern White-Cedar Restoration Project: Long-lived Northern White-Cedar Trees are an important part of the ecosystem along river corridors. It is felt juvenile cedars are missing due to browse from deer and hare. It is feared without intervention, the cedars will die and will no longer be a component of this ecosystem. Members of the Upper AuSable River Preservation Association and Huron Pines RC&D Area Council are working with the MDNR to try to re-establish young cedar seedlings along the AuSable River Corridor within the Mason Tract. This partnership involves having various groups planting cedar seedlings, caging planted and naturally existing seedlings for protection, and watering new plants to assist with establishment. Our goal is to plant and protect 2000 seedlings by year 2009 and remove enclosures within 15 years of planting. The project is still in its infancy, with the first plantings performed in 2004.
Compartment Review Packets
All State Forest Compartment Review maps and documents are drafts to
be used for general planning purposes. Links to these documents will be removed after the review occurs.
Planning is occurring in compartments within this unit, view current compartment locations by clicking Grayling's Locator Map.
NOTE: We are using maps with imagery as a backdrop. These maps are excellent at showing the features of the land - but they make very large files that are slow to download on some computers.
The Grayling Forest Management Unit has 2010 YOE Review packets available for the following compartments. The packets were posted 09/15/2008, unless noted otherwise:
Crawford (Dyer) Red Pine Ecological Reference Area & State Natural Area Plan - Final For Approval
Lovell's Bog Ecological Reference Area Management Plan - Final for Approval
Compartment 002 Narrative, Reports and Maps
Compartment 002 Stand Listing
Compartment 007 Narrative, Reports and Maps
Compartment 009 Narrative, Reports and Maps
Compartment 009 Stand Listing
Compartment 018 Narrative, Reports and Maps
Compartment 018 Stand Listing
Compartment 029 Narrative, Reports and Maps
Compartment 029 Stand Listing
Compartment 072 Narrative, Reports and Maps
Compartment 072 Stand Listing
Van Etten Lake Floodplain Forest Ecological Reference Area DRAFT Management Plan
Compartment 169 Narrative, Reports and Maps
Compartment 169 Stand Listing
Compartment 175 Narrative, Reports and Maps
Compartment 176 Narrative, Reports and Maps
Compartment 176 Stand Listing
Compartment 181 Narrative, Reports and Maps
Compartment 181 Stand Listing
Compartment 187 Narrative, Reports and Maps
Compartment 187 Stand Listing
Compartment 193 Narrative, Reports and Maps
Compartment 193 Stand Listing
Compartment 214 Narrative, Reports and Maps
Compartment 214 Stand Listing
Compartment 218 Narrative, Reports and Maps
Compartment 218 Stand Listing
Compartment 229 Narrative, Reports and Maps
Compartment 229 Stand Listing
Compartment 234 Narrative, Reports and Maps
Compartment 235 Narrative, Reports and Maps
Compartment 235 Stand Listing
Compartment 256 Narrative, Reports and Maps
Compartment 256 Stand Listing
Compartment 271 Narrative, Reports and Maps
Compartment 271 Stand Listing
Shupac Dry Sand Prairie Forest Ecological Reference Area DRAFT Management Plan
Shupac Lake Pine Barrens Forest Ecological Reference Area DRAFT Management Plan
Compartment 286 Narrative, Reports and Maps
Compartment 286 Stand Listing
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