2011 Map of Golden Lake

About this map

The University of Michigan Forestry Camp stands as a focal point for academic research and field study in this corner of the Upper Peninsula, located on the western shore of Golden Lake. The landscape is defined by the hydrologic network of the South Branch Paint River and Cooks Run, which navigate a complex of wetlands and secondary forest roads. The small settlement of Elmwood is situated at a bridge crossing in the northern portion of the map, serving as a rare point of habitation in a region otherwise dominated by public land management. Forestry and conservation history are evident through features like the Golden Lake Lookout Tower and the Golden Lake Recreation Area. The road network, including Tamarack Lake Rd and various federal forest routes, indicates a landscape primarily utilized for timber management and seasonal recreation rather than intensive residential development.