High Bridge - State Forest

The gravel crunches beneath tires as you turn off County Road 407 onto the narrow entrance road of High Bridge - State Forest. The air is thick and still, carrying the faint hum of buzzing insects that seem to greet every arrival with an eager swarming. Shadows from towering pines stretch across the campsites, offering patches of dappled light that dance with the afternoon breeze. Despite the welcome shade, the persistent presence of large flies becomes an immediate, if unwelcome, companion, reminding visitors that this forest is alive with its own rhythms and creatures.

Morning light filters through dense foliage as walkers set out to explore winding trails threading through the forest. These paths meander near the Dead River, where the water’s gentle murmur offers a calming soundtrack to the woodland scenes. Birdcalls punctuate the quiet, with occasional glimpses of deer slipping silently between trees. A short drive along County Road 407 leads to Newberry’s small downtown, where local shops and eateries provide a rustic contrast to the forest’s solitude. For those seeking a scenic drive, the route south on M-123 reveals glimpses of the Hiawatha National Forest’s vastness and Lake Superior’s distant shimmer.

At High Bridge, campsites sit tucked among tall pines and firs, offering a natural canopy that softens the midday sun. Without hookups, this spot leans into the rawness of forest camping—sites are simple, mostly level, and spaced with enough privacy to hear only the woods around you. Vault toilets stand sentinel nearby, while water access points appear at intervals but require carrying to the site. The absence of paved pads means rigs with low clearance need careful navigation, and tent campers will find the forest floor cushioned with pine needles and leaf litter. Despite the lack of modern comforts, morning showers at the nearby state forest headquarters beat the chill of river mornings, providing a brief touch of warmth before the day’s adventures.

Regular visitors know to arrive with bug spray and patience, understanding that the buzzing and flitting insects are part of the forest’s untamed character. They come prepared for the quiet moments between fly swarms, where the stillness invites reflection and the scent of pine fills the lungs. High Bridge - State Forest offers a chance to slow down, to listen closely to the land’s subtle conversations, and to find calm tucked beneath the ever-reaching canopy.