There’s nothing quite like the taste of wild blueberries fresh off the bush on a sunny July morning in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. One of the most beloved summer traditions in this pristine northern wilderness is heading out to the Hiawatha National Forest to pick these little bursts of antioxidant-packed sweetness. Luckily, the U.P. has some of the best blueberry picking around!
Every year as those berries start turning a deep indigo color, it’s time to grab the supplies and venture into the vast, unspoiled forests and trails of the Hiawatha. There’s something incredibly peaceful about slowly making your way between the bushes, gently raking the ripe berries off into your containers as you breathe in the fresh, piney scent.
The morning dew still lies on the plants and a light breeze rustles through the birch and pine trees. Occasionally, a pause to snack on a handful of the perfectly sweet, tangy berries straight from the source is irresistible. You may spot a white-tailed deer dashing through the undergrowth or hear the haunting call of a loon from a distant lake even!
10 Essentials to Pack when Picking:
- Blueberry picking permit (free from any Hiawatha National Forest office)
- Buckets or containers
- Lightweight long pants and long-sleeved shirt
- Sunhat or visor
- Closed-toe shoes or hiking boots
- Backpack or bag
- Plenty of water
- Snacks
- Bug spray
- Friends!
Picking your own wild blueberries in this remote U.P. wilderness is so much more rewarding than buying them at the grocery store. There’s a sense of accomplishment in watching the buckets gradually fill up with your very own wild harvest as you wander the isolated forest trails. And nothing beats going home and baking up a batch of authentic U.P. blueberry muffins or pie with freshly picked berries.
This season, the sights are set on a couple of secret productive patches in the Hiawatha’s eastern Ottawa National Forest region near the picture-perfect waterfalls and craggy cliffs of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. After getting the free permit from the ranger station and throwing on the blueberry-stained outdoor gear, it’s time to hit the trails once more in search of that unbeatable Upper Peninsula superfood - fresh wild blueberries!
For more tips and information directly from Hiawatha National Forest visit www.bit.ly/HiawathaBlueberries
