2019 Map of Big Prairie

About this map

The Manistee National Forest dominates this landscape in Newaygo County, where a complex network of wetlands and creeks defines the local geography. Significant marshlands including Harness Marsh, Gustafson Marsh, and Biddleman Marsh occupy the central and southern reaches, while Dudgeon Swamp lies to the northeast. These wet areas are drained by a series of small waterways like Fivemile Cr and Mullen Cr, eventually meeting the expansive waters of the Hardy Dam Pond at the southern edge. For those researching local heritage, the map identifies the Amish Cem and the Big Prairie-Everett Cem, which serve as quiet landmarks for the community's history. The intersection of woodland and small-scale agriculture is evident in the grid of roads such as Washington Rd and Monroe Rd that border the protected forest land.