FALL COLOR
TOUR
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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)
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Caring for the Land and
Serving People
USDA Forest Service
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Ottawa
National Forest
E6248 US 2
Ironwood, MI 49938
(906) 932-1330 voice
(906) 932-0301 TDD
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