Ironwood Area Chamber of Commerce

CAMPING
The campgrounds of the Ottawa National Forest offer a wide spectrum of camping experiences. All are accessible by road and service both tent and trailer campers. Their names and locations are shown on the Ottawa National Forest map. Most are located on lakes or streams and offer fishing and swimming opportunities.

BIKING
The Ottawa National Forest provides a wide variety of mountain biking opportunities ranging from well maintained and signed loops to more challenging cross country travel. Except for the wilderness and specifically designated hiker-only trails (including the North Country National Scenic Trail), the entire Forest is open to mountain bikes.

TAKE A WALK THROUGH IRONWOOD IN THE 1950's
Click here to get a map and tour route through the central commercial district (Tour A) and residential district (Tour B).

LAKE SUPERIOR
Located 17 miles north of Ironwood. You can visit Black River Harbor and Little Girl’s Point, two scenic areas in Ironwood Township, north of US2. Lake Superior is the largest body of fresh water in the world. For Lake Superior Charter Fishing info, click here.

BLACK RIVER NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAY
Ironwood Township. Dedicated a National Scenic Byway on September 19, 1992. It leads to hiking trails, scenic waterfalls, the Copper Peak ski flying hill, Black River Harbor and Black River Park. Located 15 miles North of Bessemer on County Road 513. There are winding footpaths through virgin hardwood forests leading to scenic spots and waterfalls.

WATERFALLS
There are over 70 waterfalls located in the western portion of Michigan's Upper Peninsula and Iron County, WI. Pick up a copy of the Ironwood Chamber Adventure Guide for info on and directions to some of these falls.

OTTAWA NATIONAL FOREST
Gogebic County contains 95,700 acres from the shores of Lake Superior to Wisconsin and has 27 campgrounds, 35 waterfalls, rivers featuring canoeing, and 106 miles of hiking on the North Country Trail National Scenic Recreation Trail System. Stop in at the Ottawa National Forest Supervisor's Office on US2 for a recreational map. There’s a nice gift shop there too. (906) 932-1330

SNOWMOBILE TRAILS
In Big Snow Country there are over many miles of groomed trails that can be easily accessed from practically anywhere. Unmatched beauty coupled with the most reliable snow in the Midwest provides a perfect snowmobiling experience. From Lake Superior, with its gift of lake effect snow, to the southern boundary of Gogebic County, the trails can’t be beat. Maps and snowmobile permits are available at the Ironwood Area Chamber of Commerce office in downtown Ironwood (trail 2) and other range area businesses. Trails are open December 1--March 31. Trail reports are available by calling 1-800-522-5657.

HIAWATHA
The world’s tallest and largest Indian towers over downtown Ironwood, located on south Suffolk Street in Ironwood. He stands 52 feet tall and 150 feet above downtown Ironwood and his fiberglass construction will withstand 140 mile per hour winds. The statue was erected in June 1964 by the Ironwood Chamber of Commerce.

IRONWOOD HISTORICAL MUSEUM
The train depot was constructed in 1892 and was active during the iron mining boom days of the Gogebic Range, which ended in 1966. The beautiful structure is built of sandstone and brick in Richard Romanesque style. The depot is the last remaining one on the Gogebic Range and is home to the Ironwood Area Historical Society Museum and the Ironwood Area Chamber of Commerce.

IRONWOODS HISTORIC DOWNTOWN
Ironwood’s downtown is recognized for its quaint shopping; there are several nice cafes, coffee shops and bakeries along with a place to grab a “miner's pasty”. There are antiques, gifts, furnishings, a wonderful bookstore, and more.

See the historic Memorial Building, Ironwood Theatre, Curry House, Carnegie Library, and the Pocket Park, to name a few.

COPPER PEAK SKI FLYING HILL
Ironwood Township. Located 7 miles north of Bessemer on County Road 513. The only ski-flying hill in the Northern Hemisphere, it is located on Black River Road. Chairlift and elevator rides are available on weekends through the fall color season. Olympic gold medal winners have experienced the joy of ski flying at Copper Peak. There is a small gift shop too! Click here for more info.

BLACK RIVER HARBOR
Ironwood Township. This unique harbor facility boasts beautiful stretches of Lake Superior beaches and docking facilities. You can take a walk to Rainbow Falls, as it follows the Black River. Charter boat fishing is available with catches of Coho Salmon and Lake Trout. Click here for more info.

BLACK RIVER RECREATION AREA
Ironwood Township. The indoor native stone pavilion is open to the public with picnic areas, grills, playground equipment and a wooden suspension bridge which spans the Black River and campgrounds.

LAKE SUPERIOR COUNTY PARK
Ironwood Township. Located 17 miles north of Ironwood on County 505.

LITTLE GIRL'S POINT
Ironwood Township. Located 17 miles north of Ironwood on County Road 505. Located in Lake Superior County Park. Little Girl's Point was named after an Indian girl who died in the 1800’s.

INDIAN BURIAL GROUND
Ironwood Township. Located at Little Girl's Point near Lake Superior, it is an Indian burial site with fenced-in mounds. Access through a small grassy path on south side of beach area.

POWERS ROAD SCENIC DRIVE
Just after Partridge Road you will see a large wooden sign marking the Lloyd Leppanen sign; take the next left turn which is Powers Road. Veering to your right, stay on Powers Road and take your panoramic camera with you to capture the entire area. First you’ll come to the 0.8 mile hike to see the Bald Mountain Interpretive Trail and scenic overlook which also offers an incredible view to the south of the Gogebic Iron Range, ski hills and an expansive vista of the range. Hike back down Bald Mountain just another few hundred feet for another incredible vista - a north view of Lake Superior. It is especially beautiful during fall.

MOUNT ZION
Ironwood Township. This scenic overlook of the City of Ironwood and Ironwood Township is accessible by auto most of the year. Located at the foot of Mt. Zion is Gogebic Community College, where there are recreational indoor opportunities for area residents including an indoor walking track, swimming pool and gymnasium.

SAXON HARBOR
The mouth of the Montreal River, just east of the harbor was the landing place of early explorers who made overland portages from this point to Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin. See beautiful Superior Falls nearby.

SUNDAY LAKE
One block north of M-28 on the US 2 intersection in Wakefield, MI. Sunday Lake offers Eddy Park, a nice park with a pavilion, swimming, picnic tables, a playground, camping, fishing and boating. You’ll see many folks enjoying a walk around the lake, and it's a beautiful spot to watch a sunset, too.

WAKEFIELD VISITOR’S CENTER
The chamber of commerce is located on Sunday Lake. Their visitor center offers brochures and literature for those wanting information about the Western U.P. There’s a nice selection of souvenirs, gifts and t-shirts. Generally open 10-2 daily.

WAKEFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY
306 Sunday Lake Street. A great bargain to see two stories of area history, with no admittance fee. Buy a calendar, area history books or a 25 cent wooden token for your kids. Great spot for area research while visiting with nice folks.

EDDY PARK
North shore of Sunday Lake in Wakefield. Swimming, picnic areas, grills, playground equipment, overnight camping, fishing and boating.

NEE-GAW-NEE-GAW-BOW (Leading Man)
Wakefield Indian statue by famous artist Peter “Wolf” Toth to honor the Chippewa Indians. It is the 59^th statue on the “Trail of Whispering Giants.” Peter Toth has donated a different Indian carving to each of the 50 states and Canada as a successful completion of his dream from 1971 to 1988. Toth’s persistent work put his Indian carvings in Ripley’s Believe It or Not. It is located on the lakeside pier next to the Wakefield Visitor’s Center. The Indian statue was carved from one piece of pine donated by the Ottawa National Forest and was completed in 1988.

PLYMOUTH OPEN PIT MINE
Former Plymouth Open Pit Iron Mine, Wakefield. Length 7,600 feet, average width 900 feet, depth 360 feet, water depth approx. 325 feet, water capacity 7 billion gallons. Located between Wakefield and Ramsay on Old US 2. Between 1916-1952 the total amount of iron ore shipped from this mine was 16,954,043 tons. It was the only open pit mine in operation on the Gogebic Range.

GREENSTONE ROCKS
Wakefield. Located west of the US2/M-28 intersection. Greenstone is the oldest rock known to man. The rocks are 600 million years old.

KEYSTONE BRIDGE
Located in Ramsay. Constructed in 1891 at a cost of $48,322 with limestone from a quarry in Kaukauna, WI. It is set on solid rock and rises 57 feet above the Black River.

PORCUPINE MOUNTAINS STATE PARK
Located 20 miles north of Wakefield on County Road 519. Contains 60,000 acres with two campgrounds and 90 miles of hiking trails. It has a range of camping opportunities with an extensive network of hiking trails.

PRESQUE ISLE PARK, CAMPGROUND & WATERFALLS Located in the Porcupine Mountains State Park north of Wakefield; take County Road 519. Waterfalls and virgin forests can be seen from wooden walkways on both the east and west shores of the Presque Isle River.

SUMMIT PEAK LOOKOUT
Located in the Porcupine Mountains State Park north of Wakefield, it is the highest point in the Porcupine Mountains State Park.

LAKE OF THE CLOUDS
Located in the Porcupine Mountains State Park north of Wakefield.

IRON ORE DISCOVERY
The site of the first iron ore discovery in Gogebic County, which is located on County Road 513, south of Bessemer.

LAFAYETTE MINE
Located in the Porcupine Mountain State Park. This 1845 copper mining site offers shafts and has some remaining artifacts. A remote location beyond the Lake of the Clouds is accessible by hiking trail only.

PORCUPINE MOUNTAINS HISTORICAL MARKER
Located in the Porkies on M-107 near the Lake of the Clouds. Describes mining, logging and trapping activity in the Porkies, and a history of the Park itself. Pretty view, and site of the Mead Mine.

PORCUPINE MOUNTAINS VISITOR CENTER
Located in the Porkies near the intersection of M-107 and the South Boundary Road. Interpretive displays inform you about the natural and historic resources of the Porkies. A short slide program will entertain and delight you. Also offers a nature trail.

NONESUCH MINE
Located in the Porkies on South Boundary Road several miles from the M-107 intersection. Remains of copper mining and refining activity that intermittently spanned the years from 1866 to 1918. No formal interpretation, but lots to explore and ponder.

UNION MINE/GORGE SCENIC TRAIL
A short pleasant trail self-guides you through mid-1800’s mining activity in the Porkies. The trail goes near the scenic cascades of the Union River.

WOLF MOUNTAIN LOOKOUT
Located 7 miles East of Wakefield. Turn north on Forest Service Road 9300. The highest point in Gogebic County.

LAKE GOGEBIC
Located 20 miles east of Wakefield. The largest inland lake in the Upper Peninsula. Highway 64 and the East Shore Road circle the 32 miles of shoreline. The lake features great Walleye, Small Mouth Bass and Jumbo Perch fishing. It is shared by two counties, Gogebic & Ontonagon, and is in two different time zones - the southern half of the lake on Central Standard Time, the northern half on Eastern Standard Time (an hour later).

ALLIGATOR EYE
Located on the West shore of Lake Gogebic. A footpath leads to a view of Lake Gogebic often compared to the Lake of the Clouds in the Porkies. Near the 19-mile marker, look for a barely noticeable wooden step trail at the beginning, which thins to a footpath and steep inclines.

LAKE GOGEBIC STATE PARK
Located on the west shore of Lake Gogebic. Offers swimming, picnic areas, camping, fishing, and boating.

GOGEBIC COUNTY PARK
Located on the west shore of Lake Gogebic. Offers swimming, picnic areas, camping, fishing, and boating.

ONTONAGON COUNTY PARK
Located on the west shore of Lake Gogebic. Offers swimming, picnic areas, camping, fishing, and boating.

BERGLAND TOWNSHIP PARK
Located in Bergland, it offers swimming, picnic areas, playground, camping, fishing and boating.

CISCO CHAIN OF LAKES
Located 33 miles east of Wakefield and 4.5 miles south of US2.

THOUSAND ISLAND LAKE
Located 43 miles east of Wakefield on US2, then 7 miles south on Crooked Lake Road. Part of the Cisco Chain of Lakes.

PAULDING MYSTERY LIGHT
Go 4 miles north of Watersmeet on US 45, west on Robbins Pond Road, then travel to the intersection. There, don’t turn left, stay straight on the road to the top of the second small hill and park there for the mystery. Since it was first discovered, it continues to defy explanation: an unsolved phenomenon of the North. Starting at dusk, the “light” will appear, float around, change colors and disappear. This mystery light can be seen almost every night and continues to attract many visitors. There is no charge.

SYLVANIA WILDERNESS AREA
Watersmeet. Part of the Ottawa National Forest. Sylvania consists of 18,327 acres of clear lakes and miles of old growth forests. Hiking trails are numerous. Camping is by permit only with travel allowed by foot or canoe only. No motorized boats.

MCCORMICK WILDERNESS AREA
Kenton. Part of the Ottawa National Forest, it consists of 16,850 acres including the Yellowdog National Wild Scenic River. Access is by foot only, and there are no campsites.

STURGEON RIVER GORGE WILDERNESS AREA
Kenton. Part of the Ottawa National Forest. Contains 14,139 acres, including gorges 300 feet deep with a width of ½ mile to 1 mile. This area has no campsites or road access. Part of the Kenton District.

SILVER CITY SILVER MINES
In the woods south of Silver City lie the remains of a 1872-1876 silver mining boom. It's hard to find, so inquire locally.

OLD WHITE PINE MINE SITES & TOWN OF WHITE PINE
Next to the side of the world’s largest underground copper mine, the ruins of the old 1910’s White Pine mine can be found. Most visible is the foundation of the rock-crushing ball mill.

ONTONAGON LIGHTHOUSE AND HARBOR
1866 lighthouse best seen from the highway swing bridge and the East Side boardwalk along the river. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and is owned by Stone Container Corp. The Ontonagon Historical Society partners with the corporation to give a driving tour to view the lighthouse. The museum is located in the same town.

ADVENTURE COPPER MINE TOUR
Summers offer a variety of mine tours inside the workings of the old Adventure Copper Mine, located on M-38 near Ontonagon. Adventure Mine has history books, gifts and copper items for sale in the quaint A-frame gift shop.

OLD ONTONAGON COUNTY COURT HOUSE
On Trap Street. Built in 1885, it is on the National Register of Historic Places.

ONTONAGON COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM
On River Street in Ontonagon’s downtown, it’s a building you can’t miss, as it's bright pink and purple.

FOURTEEN-MILE POINT LIGHTHOUSE
Ontonagon. Gutted remains of an elegant 1894 lighthouse that was automated in 1933, decommissioned in 1956. Difficult to access, except by water.

PREHISTORIC MOUNDS
Located near M-45 North of Wood Spur. Not much is known about the origin of these fascinating topographic features.

OLD VICTORIA RESTORATION AND VICTORIA DAM
Rockland. Located on Forest Road 200 just outside of the town of Victoria. Restoration of an early mining village. There are scenic trails along nearby bluffs with views of the area’s only hydroelectric dam. There is a wealth of historical pursuits in Victoria, easily more than can be explored in a day.

NORWICH MINE
Located near the intersection of Norwich Road and Forest Service Road 200. In the 1850’s it was a site for copper mining and smelting activity. Formidable bluffs and splendid scenery, with a spectacular view from the top of the bluff.

MILITARY ROAD
Historical marker on US45, north of Bruce Crossing near the crossing of the Ontonagon River. Tells of the significance of Military Road.

EWEN WORLD’S LOAD OF LOGS
Located in Ewen. Re-creation of the load of fine pine timber that Ontonagon County sent to the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago. 36,000 board feet of timber was hauled by a single team. These logs were harvested in today’s forests.

TROUT CREEK MILL POND
On M28 in Trout Creek. Site of a turn of the century sawmill operation.

HAIGHT TOWNSHIP HALL
Located between Bruce Crossing and Paulding on US45. Well-preserved 1912 structure in a scenic location.

CALDERWOOD TOWNSITE
At the Bond Falls Flowage. The remains of a logging-era boomtown, partially covered by the backwaters of the Bond Falls Flowage.

ATV TRAILS
Iron County, Wisconsin has over 100 miles of routes and trails to take you deep into the heart of Iron County. Along the routes you will find a variety of friendly pit stops offering food, beverages, gas and lodging.

MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS
Iron County, Wisconsin. The Pines and Mines Mountain Bike Trails System offers 300 miles of marked and mapped mountain biking opportunities in the abundant public lands. Trails incorporate many of the area’s historic transportation, mining and lumbering sites, as well as plenty of forests, lakes and waterfalls.

SAXON HARBOR
Iron County, Wisconsin. Gateway to the Flambeau Trail. Native Americans and voyagers landed their canoes here to portage beaver pelts and trade goods between the Chippewa villages and Northwest Fur Trading Posts. The route used for these trips, from LaPointe, on Madeline Island, to Lac du Flambeau, 90 miles to the south, became known as the Flambeau Trail.

FLAMBEAU TRAIL CROSSING
Iron County, Wisconsin. Located 5 miles west of Hurley on US2. Early travelers may have stopped to rest here after following the first 27 miles of the Flambeau Trail uphill from Lake Superior and over the rugged Penokee Mountain Range.

CONTINENTAL DIVIDE
Stand on the geological dividing line where water flows north to Lake Superior and the Atlantic Ocean or south to the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. Since the rivers north of the Divide were not navigable, early travelers had to portage many miles from Lake Superior across this point before they could reach a navigable waterway that flowed south.

EAGLE BLUFF SCENIC OVERLOOK
Hurley, Wisconsin. A spectacular vista of two states and Lake Superior. South of US2 on Iron County D at the Eagle Bluff Golf Club, one mile west of Hurley.

ANNALA ROUND BARN
Hurley, Wisconsin. The only barn in Wisconsin made of massive fieldstones. Built in 1917 by Finnish master stonemason Matt Annala, it is privately owned. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. One mile north of the corner of Dupont and Rein Roads, five miles south of Hurley.

PENOKEE IRON RANGE STATE HISTORIC MARKER
Iron County Wisconsin – Gogebic County. The rugged Penokee Range provides the backdrop for the story of how the discovery of iron ore shaped the area’s history. On US2 twenty-four miles west of Wakefield.

APOSTLE ISLAND VISTA
Lake Superior area. View the Apostle Island archipelago and learn how the island of this National Scenic Lakeshore was formed. On US2 twenty-five miles west of Wakefield.

Old Depot Museum
150 North Lowell
PO Box 45
Ironwood, MI. 49938
906/932-1122 (phone)
906/932-2756 (fax)
email: chamber@ironwoodmi.org

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