Backus Creek State Game Area is administered by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR).

[1] Backus Creek State Game Area is centrally located within Roscommon County in the north-central portion of the Lower Peninsula.

The area contains three dams and receives its water source from Backus Creek, which itself flows into the Cut River and eventually to Houghton Lake.

[7] The surrounding land was purchased by the state of Michigan through a grant allocated by the Pittman–Robertson Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act.

[3] In 2017, Backus Creek State Game Area was also designated as a Grouse Enhanced Management Site (GEMS).

There are currently 19 GEMS in the state of Michigan, which are designated bird hunting locations with advanced mapping and flora identifications.

Being designated as a GEMS allowed the state game area to receive improvements in walking trails and mobility for hunters, in which the Backus Creek State Game Area consists of 12 miles (19 km) of maintained walking trails for hunters and hikers.

Further mapping identified 60% of the state game area consisting of aspen trees and also an abundance of conifers and tag alders.

The state game area remained opened during the project, although normal hunting and fishing activities were greatly reduced during that time.

This larger impoundment marks the headwaters of Backus Creek and receives its water from natural runoff and the surrounding wetlands.

The water levels within Backus Creek and flooded areas can vary greatly depending on the time of the year and rainfall amounts.