Ski slopes, flat cross-country ski trails and paved paths along the river give Iron River several distinct options for a stay. Ski and fat-tire bike trails are the main attractions at Ski Brule; in town, the Apple Blossom Trail, Ice Lake Park and The Tailings add to the offerings. Mirkwood lies south of Iron River and offers another trail loop nearby. If you’re looking for a hotel, these differences can help you plan your trip around specific activities.
Skiing and Cross-Country Skiing at Ski Brule
Ski Brule in Iron River has 17 ski slopes; the number may change. For cross-country skiing, there are 15 km of groomed, flat trails that loop around the mountain along the Brule River. The distinction is practical: the number of slopes matters, while the trails offer distance, grooming, flat terrain and a riverside loop. If the number of slopes is important to your decision, check the current status before your trip.
Fat-Tire Bike Trails at Brule Mountain
Ski Brule has 15 km of mountain bike trails for fat-tire bikes around the base of Brule Mountain. Unlike the flat, groomed cross-country ski trails, these are defined by the type of bike and their location at the base of the mountain. This lets you choose based on your preferred activity: cross-country skiing on the groomed loop or mountain biking on the trails around the mountain’s base.
Paths and Fishing on the Iron River
The City of Iron River has the 2½-mile-long, paved, non-motorized Apple Blossom Trail along the Iron River. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has designated the Iron River as “Better Fishing Waters” for brook trout. So, along with a paved path, there is also a fishing opportunity specifically associated with brook trout.
Water Activities at Ice Lake Park
Ice Lake Park in Iron River has facilities for swimming, fishing and boating. The park thus complements the Iron River, which is associated with brook trout, with several water activities. The distinction is specific: the river’s designation mentions brook trout, while the park offers swimming, fishing and boating.
Disc Golf on Former Mining Land
The Tailings disc golf course is in a local park in Iron River and runs over former mining land. The terrain is very hilly and moderately wooded; the course is in a river valley and runs along and across the Iron River. The difference in terrain is useful when comparing it with the flat cross-country ski trails: hilly terrain is an explicit feature of this course, whereas the ski trails are flat. The Tailings combines disc golf with a different landscape and the historic context of former mining land.
Mirkwood Nearby
Mirkwood, a singletrack loop through a pine forest south of the city, is located near Iron River. The trailhead is south of West Iron County Schools and near Stambaugh Airport. The landscape differs from that of The Tailings: Mirkwood runs through a pine forest, while The Tailings is in a river valley. This distinguishes two different trail settings, one south of Iron River and one at a disc golf course in town.
For an overview of the wider area: Iron County.
