The Scenic Zone recognizes that there are aesthetic qualities to be preserved and protected in our state park and recreation areas. Examples of this type of zone could include a scenic viewscape, such as the overlook escarpment feature at the Lake of the Clouds in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Another type of could be a linear component such as a scenic road or a scenic river.  A designated natural river would fall into this category.

1.   Natural Resources:

• Natural resources modified slightly to support visitor use and viewing, but tolerance for natural resource impacts is low.
• Human-caused habitat fragmentation minimized.
• Timber harvest and vegetative management, including controlled burns, can occur on a limited, short-term basis for habitat and viewing improvement.

2.  Historic/Cultural Resources:

• Cultural resources preserved, rehabilitated or removed.
• Historic structures could be adaptively used for operational uses or educational purposes.

3.  Recreation Opportunities:

• Moderate levels of recreation compatible with the purpose of viewing. 
• Non-motorized activity in trail and observation point accesses, and motorized activities in the form of scenic road designations. 

4.  Education Opportunities:

• Interpretive signage at key viewing points, trail heads, overlooks and parking areas.
• Moderate off-site interpretation 

5.  Visitor Experience:

• High visitor encounters.
• Visitors engaged in transit or sightseeing activities by hiking, car, bicycle, watercraft or other conveyance.
• Moderate time commitment.
• Moderate off-site interpretation.
• Moderate noise tolerance.
• Low interaction with DNR staff.

6.  Management Focus:

• Maintain the quality of the viewscapes on which the zone is based.
• Public safety.
• All activities or developments in this zone must be compatible with the over-riding purpose of view quality.

7.  Development:

• Moderate level of development to support visitor access, transit, interpretive activities and sightseeing such as roads, trails, parking, restrooms, overlooks, small picnic areas and interpretive media.
• Development blends with the natural and cultural environment.
• Site hardening such as boardwalks, barriers, fencing, surfaced pedestrian paths allowed to protect sensitive resources.
• High accessibility.