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Lake Gogebic lies between two counties, Gogebic County
and Ontonagon County, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
The Lake Gogebic area has long been known for the wide
variety of recreational opporunities it has to offer
vacation visitors: snowmobiling, fishing, hunting, skiing,
biking, sightseeing and camping are just a few of the
activites that visitors can enjoy. Meanwhile,
the surrounding forests, lakes, and river offer unmatched
natural beauty. Lake Gogebic, the largest inland lake
in the Upper Peninsula, and Lake Superior, the most
beautiful of the Great Lakes, offer spectacular views
from their shorelines.
APPROXIMATE DRIVING TIMES TO LAKE GOGEBIC, MICHIGAN
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- Minneapolis Area - 5 hours
- Milwaukee - 5 hours
- Fox River Valley - 3 hours
- Duluth - Superior - 2 hours
- Chicago Area - 6 1/2 hours
- Wausau - 2 hours
- Detroit - 9 1/2 hours
- Marquette - 2 1/2 hours
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Gogebic County is Michigan’s Western Gateway.
There are twelve hundred miles of rivers and streams,
over 300 inland lakes and miles of woods and wilderness.
It offers thrills for anglers, fun for swimmers and
boating enthusiasts, quiet adventures for canoeists,
excitement for the hunter and enchanting scenery for
everyone. It’s also the ski capital of the Midwest
with four ski areas in Michigan and one in near by Wisconsin.
Gogebic means "where trout rising make small rings
upon the surface." Located on the western end on
the Upper Peninsula, Gogebic County is the place for
outdoor recreation. This is home to Big Snow Country.
Also calling Gogebic home are 100 waterfalls, the Sylvania
Wilderness, Cisco Chain of Lakes, Lake
Gogebic, Black River National Scenic Byway,
Copper Peak, Ottawa National Forest, and
Lake Superior.
The lakes are almost as numerous as waterfalls!
Lake Gogebic is the U.P.'s largest inland lake, known
for walleye, bass and jumbo perch. Lake Gogebic, the
U.P's largest lake, is well known for its walleye, bass
and jumbo perch fishing. Spring is a great time for
angling where the catch includes rainbow and steelhead
trout. The Cisco Chain of lakes is one of the longest
chains in the world with 271 miles of beautiful shoreline.
The Cisco Chain boasts many state records for fish.
Our lakes have many first-class resorts and are open
year-round.
Waterfalls are spectacular whatever the season!
In winter, they are partially frozen; spring, they are
thunderous with the runoff of melting snow; in summer,
the mist rises upward in the bright sunlight and in
fall is outlined with nature's colors. The Black River
National Scenic Byway features five waterfalls with
varying access and the only harbor operated by the USDA
Forest Service in the lower 48 states. Potawatomi Falls
is barrier free, Great Conglomerate has a natural access.
The choices are ample and yours for the making.
Over 80 percent of Gogebic County's acreage is within
the boundaries of the Ottawa National Forest,
and most of the land is open to the public. The Ottawa
National Forest encompasses over 953,000 acres of unspoiled
hardwood forests. It's a great place for adventure.
Camping, hiking, biking and walking trails to scenic
overlooks are among some of the activities enjoyed there.
The warm days and cool nights of the summer season
afford unparalleled recreational experiences to outdoor
enthusiasts as well as families. In Gogebic County
one can experience the famous Lake Superior sunsets,
as well as the timeless visual sensations of the Northern
Lights, which dance most brilliantly in our northern
skies. Our area hosts over a million acres of unspoiled
Northwoods accented by over 50 breathtaking waterfalls.
Big Snow Country is the snow belt of the Midwest,
receiving as much as 300 inches of lake effect snowfall
per year. With hundreds of miles of groomed snowmobile
trails through forests, to waterfalls, across rivers
and lakes - all with the convenience of driving your
sled to your door (many accommodations have direct trail
access). Three ski resorts call Big Snow Country home
as well. Long runs, plenty of fresh snow, and unique
lodging makes this the best skiing choice within a day's
drive. Winter is a terrible thing to waste - come share
it with us.
Copper Peak is the only International Sky Flying
facility in the Western Hemisphere and is home to the
world's largest ski slide. From the top, the view is
spectacular and provides the highest 360 degree unobstructed
panoramic vista in the Midwest. Copper Peak is a registered
Michigan Historic site and is a participating member
of the Western Upper Peninsula Heritage Trail Network.
The history of Gogebic County alive in the many museums
in Ironwood and Wakefield The historic restored Ironwood
Theater has numerous live performances. Participate
in one of the many festivals. We offer county fairs
and 4th of July celebrations.
Ontonagon County was organized in 1843 by James K.
Paul. Ontonagon is the oldest permanent settlement on
the south shore of Lake Superior. The port was used
extensively by the copper and silver mining industries
until the turn of the century. The famous Ontonagon
Copper Boulder was removed by James K. Paul and is now
at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.
The lumbering industry was a major employer of in the
early 1900's with the Diamond Match Company located
at Ontonagon being one of the more well known. The Lewis
Genson Company of Ewen became one of the biggest users
of hardwood in Ontonagon County. During that time, Ontonagon
County's population was more then 12,000.
The county is located in the northwestern Upper
Peninsula on the shore of Lake Superior at the foot
of the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. This
combination of water and mountains environment creates
spectacular summer overlooks, fantastic fall colors,
abundant winter snowfall and great spring fishing. All
four seasons of recreation are awesome in Ontonagon
County!
Ontonagon is a paradise for nature lovers and offers
opportunities for hunting, fishing and other outdoor
activities. More than 90 percent of the county is forested.
Parts of the Ottawa National Forest take up large chunks
of the country's acreage, and other sections go to make
up the Copper Country State Forest. About half of Lake
Gogebic also lies in Ontonagon County, with the other
half in Gogebic County.
History comes alive at Old Victoria Restoration
Site! Old Victoria, an early mining settlement brought
back to life through restoration. Some of the county
attractions include Ontonagon County's courthouse, lighthouse
and swing bridge are on the National Register of Historic
Places. The boardwalk along the Ontonagon River is a
great place to view the bridge and lighthouse. Visit
the museum in Ontonagon for a look into the past. Additional
places to visit are Ewen Load of Logs, Bond Falls Flowage,
Agate Falls and the Ontonagon Harbor, Lighthouse and
Marina. It also has two 9 hole golf courses, the Big
Spruce in Bruce Crossing and the Ontonagon Golf Course
in Ontonagon with daily and seasonal memberships.
The gem of the outdoors in the Upper Peninsula is the
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. This
park was created in 1945 with 46,000 acres of Michigan's
last virgin hardwoods forest. Today, 50-plus years later,
the now 60,000-acre park still features the very reason
it was saved in the beginning, the virgin forest. Highlights
of the park are many. Stop in the Visitors Center to
acquaint yourself with the area; the slide show is a
must-see.
Lake of the Clouds is arguably the most scenic
place in Michigan. Summit Peak Observation Tower
offers an expansive view of the virgin forest and Lake
Superior. The Presque Isle River cascades over
intricate shale formations with one of the largest waterfalls
in the state. Miles of sandy beach may be found in Union
Bay, great for swimming and rock hounding. A self-guided
historical trail is featured at Union Mine Scenic
Trail. Call 1-906-885-5275 for more information
on Michigan's premier state park.
Lake Superior makes a powerful statement wherever
she brushes up against the land, and Ontonagon County
is no exception. During the winter the lake is responsible
not only for the abundance of powdery whiteness which
blankets the area, but also offers mild temperatures
near the lake as compared to just a few miles inland.
As a matter of fact, gardens and fruit trees grow well
along the shores of Superior. During the summer, visitors
can wander Superior's beaches in search of agates or
simply rest and gaze across her rough expanse to glorious
red and orange sunsets.
Waterfalls abound! Big, small and famous, take
your pick. Two of the most notable are Bond and Agate
falls. Bond Falls has been the back drop for national
ad campaigns for sport utility vehicles as well as for
tourist snapshots. These falls are here for you to see
just off Highway M-28 and US-45.
With abundant snowfall, skiing and snowmobiling take
precedence in winter. The ski area at Porcupine Mountains
Wilderness State Park is second to none. Situated
on the shore of Lake Superior, the "Porkies"
boast the highest vertical drop in Michigan or Wisconsin.
Plentiful snowfall makes for great snowmobiling as well.
Trails lead from the door of many resorts to some of
the most scenic terrain the state has to offer. Hundreds
of miles of well-groomed trails await you.
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