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Region: Watersmeet area
PAULDING
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 | | The thinly populated U.P. is dotted with general stores like the one in Paulding. | See "Porcupine Mountains and Ontonagon" for Agate Falls and the Bergland-Paulding-Sidnaw Trail. See the Keewenaw and Baraga region for the nearby restaurant in Trout Creek.
This tiny place, surrounded by Ottawa National Forest land today, was once a busy sawmill town surrounded by logging activity. It still has a general store, a tavern, and a few other businesses and houses. Fishing and hunting are major pursuits today.
Back to Watersmeet area
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PAULDING
RESTAURANTS,
LODGINGS
& CAMPGROUNDS
These are our choices, not ads.
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PAULDING
RESTAURANTS
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PAULDING
LODGINGS
RUNNING BEAR RESORT
(906) 827-3208; runningbearresort.com
Vacations at this updated vintage resort are about great fishing, 4-wheeling, waterfall-watching, birding, and snowmobiling and for the excellent hunting that surrounds the resort. Bear, grouse, duck and eer hunters have come here for over 30 years
It's in an attractive setting on 14 acres, contiguous to the Ottawa National Forest, and not far from Bond Falls. 6 simple housekeeping cabins are arranged in a semi-circle, well back from the highway, with a big back yard. The cabins are simple in a vintage way.
Kitchens have been updated to become full kitchens. There's now Dish TV. Daily housekeeping provided. Most cabins sleep 6 in two bedrooms and a pullout soft. In summer and one winter weekends these rent for $75/night for 2 with $15/extra person, or $60 for smaller cabins. Look online for off-season and mid-week specials. Each cabin has a fire ring, and there's a group pavilion for bonfires and cookouts. Office phone always available.
New owners Mike and Linda Schultz have vacationed here for over 20 years. Linda's sister Donna is helping out. Their parents started out their married life in the area.
On the west side of U.S. 45, just south of the center of Paulding. Now open year-round. Handicap access: call. Dogs welcome $10 fee(. Must be attended.
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PAULDING
CAMPGROUNDS
BOND LAKE COUNTY PARK/ Ontonagon
County
(906) 527-3753
Decades ago, UPPCO (Upper Peninsula Power Company) developed the Bond Falls Flowage as a source of waterpower and electricity. It bought extra land not needed to generate energy, and paid full taxes on that land. Then in 2006 UPPCO sold to Naterra Land much of the shoreline area of this and other impoundments, to be subdivided for residential use. Nowhere has the opposition been more vehement than around Bond Falls, though there are also local residents who welcome the boost to the local tax base.
The campground has been relocated and expanded from 36 to 55 rustic sites (no electricity or flush toilets). Gone are the remote sites away from the road. Still, campers will have access to the Bond Falls Flowage, with a swimming beach and trout fishing. And there'll still be the Outpost camp store with ice cream, and the hiking trail along the river to nearby Bond Falls.
www.ontonagonmi.com . From Paulding, take Bond Falls Road 3 miles east. From M-28 a mile west of Trout Creek, take One Mile Road south. $10/night. Open all year. Dogs on leashes allowed. Handicap access: call.
ROBBINS POND CAMPGROUND/ Ottawa National Forest
(906) 358-4551
This quiet, 3-site primitive campground is on a small impoundment that's good for fishing. It's in a shady area of mixed conifers, aspen, and birch. In season the campground and day use area is popular with hunters. No water on site.
About 5 miles north of Watersmeet or 5 miles south of Paulding, turn from U.S. 45 north onto Old 45. In less than half a mile, turn west onto Forest Hwy. 5230. Campground is in about 4 miles. www.fs.fed.us/r9/ottawa then see recreation and Watersmeet. N charge. Level dirt sites could be used by some handicapped people. Dogs: on 6-foot leash
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