Ontonagon County Information

Ontonagon County is located along the south shore of Lake Superior towards the western end of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It includes some of the most beautiful areas in the state of Michigan, such as the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, the Ottawa National Forest, and Lake Gogebic, the U.P.’s largest inland lake.

The Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park was established in 1945 and remains virtually unchanged since then. Its 60,000 acres are one of the few remaining large wilderness areas in the Midwest. Some of the park’s many attractions include Lake of the Clouds (one of the most scenic spots in all of Michigan), and Summit Peak Observation Tower (one of the highest points in Michigan). Sandy beaches along the Lake Superior shoreline are good for swimming and agate hunting. History buffs can explore self-guided trails to old mining sites on the Union Mine Scenic Trail, the Nonesuch Mine location, the old Carp Lake Mine, and the historic Carp Lake Stamp Mill site. Other attractions to the “Porkies” include waterfalls and pristine rivers, the Porcupine Mountain Ski Area with both downhill and Nordic skiing, and hiking for all skill levels.

Ontonagon County itself has over 1,200 miles of streams and rivers. Canoeing on rivers or viewing the many waterfalls are a tourist’s delight. Bond Falls, Agate Falls, and O-Kun-de-Kun Falls are just three of the more popular. Lake Superior provides some excellent fishing as well as the countless inland lakes and streams located in Ontonagon County.

There are many miles of trails open to ATV’s and hundreds of miles of groomed snowmobile trails through some of the most remarkable scenery in the Midwest. Our nationally renowned snowmobile trail system interconnects with the Upper Peninsula’s 2,500 miles of trails as well as northern Wisconsin’s trail system.

Tours of the Ontonagon Lighthouse are available during the summer or by appointment on Sunday or the off-season 906-884-6165. The 5th Order Fresnel Lens and keeper logs are on display at the museum. Climb the tower to the lantern room for an outstanding view of the area. Tours begin at the Ontonagon Museum at 422 River Street.

Historic Rockland, site of the famous Minesota Mine, has a fine museum, and nearby Old Victoria Restoration, a mining camp brought back to life, is open to public tours. Be sure to visit the highest hydroelectric dam in the Midwest. The Victoria Hydro is on the nearby West Branch of the Ontonagon River.

The Ontonagon County Historical Museum is located at 422 River Street in Ontonagon. Enjoy their mining, logging, farming, marine, and social memorabilia displayed in room settings and cases. There is also a very interesting museum on US-45 in the library in Rockland. They host a unique connection of artifacts dating from 3000 B.C. to the early 1900’s, and the switchboard used by the first telephone company in the state of Michigan.

Experience a little of the supernatural: visit the Paulding Mystery Light located in Robbins Pond Road just north of Watersmeet. Visitors from “Unsolved Mysteries” and NASA attempted to unravel this phenomenon with no results.

Ontonagon County is a great destination for any four-season vacation plans.