Ottawa National Forest

Fall is a fantastic time of year to get out and enjoy the Ottawa National Forest. Located in the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the Ottawa offers some of the most spectacular fall colors available in the nation. From the golden aspen and tamarack to the brightly colored northern hardwoods all interlaced with the evergreens, Fall is the time to see the Ottawa. Many scenic drives and vistas are available for people to enjoy and with many of natures creatures becoming more active, one has the added bonus of unique opportunities for wildlife viewing. While there are unlimited opportunities for enjoying Fall color, the areas listed below are some of our favorites. Take some time to enjoy and relax in and around the Ottawa National Forest.

The fall color hotline can be called at 1-800-354-4595 to hear which national forests are at their peak. There is also a web site available at http://www.fs.fed.us/news/fallcolors/. The recorded mesages will be updated each week. You can also call the Ottawa National Forest direct at 906-932-1330 for more information or to obtain a map of the color tours within the Forest.

The first route follows the Black River Scenic Byway to Lake Superior. Go north from Bessemer on County Road 513 (Moore Street) and follow the signs to Black River Harbor. Along this hardwood and hemlock-lined road there are trails to several scenic waterfalls and a side trip to Copper Peak Ski Flying Hill. Driving Time: 1 hour (Paved and Gravel roads)

This loop starts north of Wakefield on M-28 and goes north on County Road 519 to the Presque Isle Campground in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Trails to scenic waterfalls and Lake Superior are found there. After leaving the campground, go east on the South Boundary Road and wind along the bottom edge of the park. Watch for glimpses of Lake Superior as you head north after passing Lost Creek Campground. When you reach the T-intersection at the Lakeshore, M-107 west provides a worthwhile side trip to the Lake of the Clouds while M-107 east takes you to Silver City. Take M-64 South to Bergland and M-28 West to return to Wakefield. Driving Time: 2 1/2 hours (Paved Road)

This route traverses the Marenisco Lake Country south of US-2. Take US-2 six miles east of Wakefield. Gos outh on Forest Road 8170 and follow it to Forest Road 8100 which will take you to Henry Lake and to Michigan 64. Travel north on M-64 for about 1/2 mile to Forest Road 8220, go east on 8220 and follow it to its intersection with County Road 525, continue east on county 525 and follow it past Pomeroy Lake to County Road 527 which will return you to US-2. For an alternative return route, follow Forest Road 7300 north from Pomeroy Lake. This route features a scenic overlook at the top of Pomeroy Creek Hill. At the Y-intersection, four miles nortrh of Pomeroy Lake, take Forest Road 8500 which will take you to the Bobcat Lake campground and on to Marenisco and US-2. Driving time: 2 hours. (Paved and Gravel Roads).

For a drive that combines fall color and lake scenery, try the Stagecoach Road and the East Shore Road on Lake Gogebic. These roads can be reached either from Michigan M-28 two miles east of Bergland, or from US-2 10 miles east of Marenisco, or from M-64 at the South end of Lake Gogebic. (Paved and Gravel Roads).

A drive around Sylvania Recreation Area is a must for fall color buffs. Go south from Watersmeet on US-45 six miles to County Road 210. Follow 210 west to Forest Road 6320 which will take you north to County Road 535. Follow County Road 535 south around the perimeter of Sylvania to the Wisconsin state line. Continue southward to County Trunk B, then east to US-45 which will return you to Watersmeet. Driving time: 1 hour (Paved and Gravel Roads).

Go northeast from Watersmeet on County Road 208 (Old US-2). Follow it along the Tamarack River to Forest Highway 16, go south five miles to US-2. Turn west on US-2 and return to Watersmeet. Driving Time: 1 hour (Paved and Gravel Roads)

This drive will take you through some beautiful country intermixed with pines and poplars for a wide range of color. Starting at Iron River head west on US-2 six miles to County Road 436. Turn left and head south following County Road 436 seven miles to FH-16. Make a right on FH-16 and head north five miles crossing US-2 and continuing north on FH-16 another four miles to FR 3270. Turn right and follow FR 3270 east nine miles to County Road 657 and make a right. County Road 657 passes the Paint River Forks campground; a good place to stop for a picnic and view the Paint River. At the Forks, CR 657 heads east for one mile and then makes a sharp right turn heading south. The next nine miles of CR 657 passes through scenic farm country bringing you back to US-2. Driving Time: approximately 1 - 1 1/2 hours. Notes on conditions of roads: the first part of County Road 436 is asphalt with the remainder gravel. FH-16 south of US-2 is asphalt with the remainder gravel. FH-16 south of US-2 is asphalt but heaves in places making it advisable not to go over 55 mph. FR 3270 is a good graveled road but narrow in places.

This loop starts from Watersmeet and goes north on US-45 through Paulding to Bruce Crossing. The side trip to Bond Falls and Bond Falls Flowage just east of Paulding is especially scenic. At Bruce Crossing, go east on Michigan 28 to Kenton. At Kenton, turn south on Forest Highway 16 to US-2 and then west on US-2 to Watersmeet. Driving Time : 2hours (Paved roads)

This loop features the Beaver Loop Interpretive Trail at Bob Lake. From Ontonagon, travel about 20 miles east on Highway 38. Go south on Forest Highway 16 for four miles, then turn west on the Pori Road. After three miles, turn south on Forest Road 1100. Forest Road 1100 intersects Forest Road 1460 after seven miles. Go east on Forest Road 1460, then north on Forest Road 1470 which will return you to the Pori Road. The turnoff to Bob Lake (Forest Road 1478) is one mile south of the Pori Road on Forest Road 1470. Driving Time: 1 1/2 hours (Paved and Gravel Roads)

This loop takes you to some of the roughest topography of the forest. From a point just east of Sidnaw, on M-28, take Forest Road 2200 north to Forest Road 2270. Along the way there are several turnouts that offer views to the Sturgeon River Gorge. Follow Forest Road 2270 to the Silver Mountain road, Forest Road 2274. The difficult climb to the top of Silver Mountain will provide vistas of the Sturgeon River Gorge, Prickett Lake, and vast expanses of fall color. There is a wood stairway most of the way up to help you to climb to the top. From Silver Mountain continue north on Forest 2270 to Prickett Dam Road, then north to M-38. Take M-38 east 6 miles to the Baraga Plains Road then turn south on the Baraga Plains Road. Drive approximately 3 miles. Turn west on FR 2200. Continue on FR 2200 to Sidnaw. Driving Time: 2 hours. (Paved and Gravel Roads)