Bond Falls drops a total of about 50 feet over numerous small cascades. At Agate Falls, a broad band of interwoven cascades and small waterfalls nearly 40 feet high forms over terraced sandstone. These contrasting features offer a first glimpse of the natural experiences that connect with Ontonagon County’s mining history.
Waterfalls, Forest and River Landscapes
Bond Falls is in southern Ontonagon County. An accessible boardwalk leads to six viewpoints, with parking and picnic tables along the road. At Agate Falls, a 0.5-mile trail passes through a tunnel beneath M-28 to an observation platform. The approaches to the two waterfalls differ as well: at Bond Falls, the boardwalk and several viewpoints frame the visit, while at Agate Falls, the route through the tunnel is part of the experience.
The Porcupine Mountains lie in Ontonagon and Gogebic counties and are managed as Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. According to the Michigan Natural Features Inventory, about 35,000 acres of old-growth forest untouched by logging are “the largest and finest stand of uncut northern hardwoods in North America.” Lake of the Clouds lies on the landward side of the mountains’ escarpment; on a clear day, the view extends more than 25 miles to the west.
At Presque Isle River Scenic Site, the river passes through a series of low falls and cascades that cut deep into the bedrock. Old sugar maples, hemlocks and eastern white pines characterize the surrounding forest. The scenic site is suitable for hiking, backpacking, photography, non-motorized fishing and wildlife viewing. If you want to experience water and forest together, you’ll find both in this landscape.
Lake Superior is also part of the county’s landscape. The beaches in Ontonagon are sandy and offer views of the lake. Lakeshore Park has beach access at the end of Trap Street and Lake Street; from there, you can also watch the sunset over Ontonagon Pier.
Copper History in a Museum, Lighthouse and Mine
The area from Ontonagon to the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula is known as Copper Country. The collections at Ontonagon County Historical Museum range from mining and timber to agriculture, maritime history and everyday life. Period-room displays and cases showcase, among other things, pre-Columbian copper and stone tools, copper-mining tools and a fifth-order Fresnel lens. Other notable exhibits include a model of the 3,708-pound Ontonagon Boulder.
Ontonagon Lighthouse is the oldest surviving lighthouse on the mainland of the Keweenaw Peninsula. Tours cover all three levels, including the tower and lantern room. They take place daily from mid-May to mid-October between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.; individual and group tours can also be arranged by appointment. Check the schedule again before your visit.
At Adventure Mine, you can also explore mining history underground. Activities include rappelling into a mine shaft, underground workshops on drilling and blasting, and an easy guided hike. Activities are seasonal. Historically, the mine operated as a copper mine from 1850 to 1920, producing more than 11 million pounds of native copper during that time. Old Victoria offers a different focus: the restoration site preserves hand-hewn log cabins built nearly 100 years ago to house miners from Victoria Copper Mine. The project is significant to the history of the Copper Country region.
Activities Throughout the Seasons
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park offers camping, hiking, snowmobiling and fishing. There are also downhill skiing and snowboarding runs, ranging from groomed beginner slopes to deep-snow forest runs and steep expert slopes.
The routes also vary considerably. At Agate Falls, the trail to the observation platform is 0.5 miles long. By contrast, the Firesteel River water trail runs 13.5 miles from Wilderness Drive to Lakeshore Drive and is rated Class II. In the northeastern part of the county, the Courtney Equestrian Trails lie on both sides of the West Branch Firesteel River. Their northeastern loops are used by cross-country skiers and snowshoers and intersect with hiking trails. The Peter Wolfe Chapter of the North Country Trail also passes through Ontonagon County.
If you’re looking for a hotel in Ontonagon County, you can start by considering whether waterfalls and forest, the Lake Superior shoreline, or copper history will shape your stay.
Discover more destinations: Ontonagon, Ewen, Cheboygan County, Shiawassee County, Benzie County, Manistee County, Alger County, Roberts County.
For the broader travel overview: Michigan.
