Biking

Ontonagon County’s trails are one of its best tourism assets, particularly because of the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park (Porkies), located in Carp Lake Township, which contains over 100 miles of designated routes for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Approximately 145 kilometers/90 miles are located within the County. Hikes can be arranged for both day trips and multi-day backpacking excursions, though the park is perhaps best suited for the latter. Most trails are interconnected long-distance point-to-point paths rather than local loops. Trails are well-maintained and clearly marked. Due to the breadth of the trail system and the scope and detail of information available at www.mi.gov/porkies, an inventory will not be included here.

A 23-mile segment of the North Country Trail runs through the park. The North Country Trail stretches across all of OntonagonCounty. Outside of the Porkies, the trail crosses Highway M-64 and continues to weave east to the old community of Victoria before dropping south and east to cross over into HoughtonCounty. On the way, the trail passes by numerous waterfalls and other geological features of interest, running mainly through public land.

The Ottawa National Forest offers an extensive system of gravel forest roads suitable for multiple uses.  www.fs.usda.gov/ottawa
A wide variety of opportunities ranging from well maintained and signed loops to more challenging cross-country travel await the mountain bike enthusiasts. Besides wilderness and specifically designated hiker only trails, the entire Forest is open to mountain bikers.

Elcho Complex – Twenty-seven miles of the Elcho complex provides and exciting and challenging trip through a northern hardwood forest, over open gravel roads, through overgrown logging roads that crosses a few small streams, and around beaver dams. The trail is located in the northwest part of the Ottawa near the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.

Henry and Pomeroy Lake Complex – Nearly 100 miles of trails await your arrival at the Henry and Pomeroy Lake complex which is located just south of Marenisco. This marked trail system is mostly located on gravel roads. It offers several loop opportunities, passes by scenic overlooks, crosses rivers and streams, and offers direct access to two campgrounds.

Agonikak Trail – The Agonikak Mountain Bike Trail starts near the Watersmeet Visitor Center and travels 11 miles through the forest, south to a State wayside in Land O’ Lakes. It is located mostly on brushed-out trails and right-of-ways.