We welcome
your comments
experiences &
corrections.

E-mail us

Hunts' Guide to Michigan's UPPER PENINSULA

Home

Search

U.P. Maps

Regions

Towns

Restaurants

Lodgings

Campgrounds

Points of Interest

Fun for kids

Waterfalls

Wayne Premo's Waterfalls

Beaches

Canoeing & Kayaking

Hikes

Lighthouses

Walks

Mountain Biking

Notable U.P. Shops

Specialty foods

Maritime

U.P. History

Useful Information

Links

About us

UP Travel Map

IRONWOOD
POINTS
OF INTEREST

Little Girl's Point and vicinity. On a high Lake Superior bluff, a tucked-away park with swimming beach, camping, boat launch, and long views to the Porcupine Mountains and Apostle Islands. ... more

Bald Mountain and Lake Superior Overlooks. Little-known spots with nice views for motorists and mountain bikers ... more

Little Girl's Point Honey and gardens. At two Dutch immigrants' honey shop, paths wind through colorful gardens to a duck pond. Chat with nonfiction author Amy Van Oyen and hear stories about moving from Grand Rapids with nine children. ... more

Superior Falls. Little publicized, this thundering 40-foot waterfall in a deep gorge of the Montreal River settles into a quiet pool ... more

Interstate Falls. A couple miles northwest of Ironwood the wide Montreal River plunges 25 feet ... more

Saxon Falls. One of Gogebic's outstanding waterfalls 12 miles north of Ironwood ... more

Guided Kayak Excursions along Lake Superior. Interesting shoreline trips for beginners and experienced kayakers alike give a fresh perspective of the region ... more

Ottawa National Forest Supervisor's Office and Book Shop. The place to get good individualized info on this vast forest (almost one million acres) dotted with lakes, rivers, wonderful waterfalls, stretching Champion, Baraga, and Iron River west to Ironwood. ... more

Mount Zion Scenic Overlook. This rock overlook close to Ironwood gives a fine view of surrounding hills, forests, and farms ... more

Depot Antiques & Gifts. In an old railroad warehouse, this unusually appealing shop offer a variety of items old and new, from gourmet foods to vintage toys ... more

Nature's Picks Rock Shop. Owned and run by a seasoned local rockhound, this shop carries rocks and minerals from all over. And you can get advice on where to look locally for interesting rocks ... more

Black Bear Sports. A veteran guide runs this well-stocked outdoors shop, with fishing gear and good advice ... more

Central Ironwood. Downtown is a shadow of itself during the mining and lumber booms. But visitors can find interesting spots, including the fabulous 1928 Ironwood Theater; the depot museum; a good quilt shop, antiques mall, and food co-op; impressive churches and Victorian homes; and good pizza, pasties, and Italian food. ... more

Ironwood Memorial Building. A lavish Beaux Arts civic building, recently restored, features stained glass, murals, original light fixtures, and interesting local history exhibits ... more

Scenic back road to Ramsay. A pleasant ride on a country lane through hills and overarching trees and a fine vista ... more

World's Tallest Indian. What did they do to pump up the economy when the mines gave out in the 1960s? Attract tourists by building an 8-ton, 53-foot-high Indian chief and calling him Hiawatha, the "World's Tallest Indian" (actually Maine has a taller one) ... more

Norrie Park. Picturesque 1920s park along the Montreal River with paths through wooded areas and meadows, a fine picnic spot with playground ... more

Mountain biking in Gogebic and Iron counties. One of the country's great mountain biking regions, here's an overview of the vast number of trails in the area ... more

ABR Trails (Active Backwoods Retreat). 600 acres of meticulously groomed ski trails with lodgings, a warming cabin, sauna, and ski shop ... more

Wolverine Nordic Trails. Loops for serious cross-country skiers and mountain bikers from 3k to 7k ... more

IRONWOOD

Superior Falls

Viewed from a high bluff, Superior Falls draws visitors from far and wide, The falls have a powerful impact despite the fact that you have to look through a chain link fence to see them.

This little-publicized waterfall is close to where the Montreal River empties into Lake Superior. The river forms the state line with Wisconsin. It's one of the most dramatic waterfalls in Michigan - more so, in some ways, than Tahquamenon Falls. Here the river is narrower, only 30 feet wide, wedged between steep rock walls of a deep gorge over a hundred feet down from the visitor's vantage point. The river turns into a thundering column of foam, some 40 feet straight down, which soon settles into a quiet pool, turns, and flows between those towering and steep gorge walls. The fracture lines go almost straight up and down, powerful testimony to the tremendous forces of uplift and tilting from the earth's early time.

Wisconsin Electric Power owns this site and has built a viewing overlook and rail along the path from the parking area by a substation. The company uses nearby reservoirs, called flowages, to control the river's flow for producing electrical power. Occasionally there won't be much water going over the falls, so you'll have to try your luck.

A very steep asphalt path descends from the parking area down to the river mouth and isolated, private beach. Local people like to come here and enjoy the sunset. It's a very steep walk back up!

As long as you're here, be aware that neighboring Iron County, Wisconsin, has more waterfalls than any other Wisconsin county. For Wisconsin waterfall maps, stop by the 24-hour foyer of the Wisconsin Travel Information Center in Hurley where U.S. 2 joins U.S. 51. Look for the state spring and summer recreation guide.

About 22 miles northwest of Ironwood and 5 miles west of Little Girl's Point via CR 505. See directions to Little Girl's Point. Watch for sign and parking area near where 505 crosses the Montreal River and goes into Wisconsin. Or, for a more direct route through Wisconsin, take U.S. 2 for 11 miles west of Hurley, turn north onto W-122, go north about 4 miles, cross into Michigan, and go left to Wisconsin Electric Power station and parking area. (906) 932-3330. Wheelchair access: no.

Return to Ironwood