Pere Marquette State Forest is a protected recreational landscape in Michigan’s northern Lower Peninsula, spread across western and northwestern counties. Covering 5,860.50 acres, it is known for an extensive trail system used for biking, hiking, and cross-country skiing. Its longest routes include the VASA Pathway, the Muncie Lake Pathway, and the Cadillac Pathway, while a 65-mile stretch of the North Country Trail also runs through the forest as part of a much longer route across Michigan. The forest’s name honors French explorer Jacques Marquette, who founded the first European settlement in Michigan in 1668.